'She-Hulk' director Anuwalia says Marvel isn't the 'giant machine' you think

[This story contains spoilers for She-Hulk: Lawyer Episode 5, “Mean, Green, and Straightforward Jeans.”]

She-Hulk Director Anu Valia Director TV episodes since 2022 , considering how TV production has become in this pandemic era Challenging, it’s an impressive feat. Three of the episodes included Marvel Studios’ She-Hulk , and Varia, like many, thought she knew what the Marvel set would look like. Instead, she found that the biggest franchise of all time offers far more creative freedom than one might expect.

“It was such a collaborative, creative experience that I probably didn’t realize when I entered. You think Marvel is a huge The machine, but it wasn’t. Kevin [Feige] cared a lot, but the freedom was more than I expected,” Valia told The Hollywood Reporter .

In a recent conversation with THR, Valia also talked about how Jen Walters (Tatiana Maslany) has since become The confusing treatment She-Hulk has been receiving since.

So who is credited with the genius title card, She- Hulk: By Titania?

I think it’s [Editor-in-Chief] Jessica Gao. The whole idea of ​​the show is to do what you expect from the show and keep doing it. So it’s fun to play title cards this way.

Before getting the job, in terms of material, what did you react to the most?

When I read the script, I thought, “Oh my God, what they’re doing with the She-Hulk really is It’s funny.” First of all, the problems Jennifer Walters encounters in everyday life are so modern and real. Then add this new identity that she didn’t ask for. So when I read it, I felt close to her and it was just a really fun show. I was like, “Oh man, I really want to be involved.” And then you just try to get that job, honey. (laughs.)

Have you ever seen Marvel behind the scenes? Did you see their FBI board with all the red wires connecting their many different programs?

(laughs.) Yes, there are many differences things to remember. Once you get there, you download stuff for you, and then you learn what you need to know. But they won’t tell you what you don’t need to know. There are a lot of bright minds out there.

Every job has a series of firsts, so what are those for you Hulk?

Yes, you can learn something in every job. The show took some time and I learned a lot of technical stuff. This is the first time I’ve used a full CGI character as the main character of a show. Just working on the show, I learned to balance the tones. I also learned a lot from actors. It was such a collaborative, creative experience that I probably didn’t realize it when I entered. You think Marvel is a giant machine, but it’s not. Kevin [Feige] cares a lot, but the freedom is beyond my expectations.

She-Hulk dating is absolutely crazy to me for someone like Arthur who shows no interest in Jen Walters herself. I just can’t figure it out.

It’s funny that you say that because I think a lot too. What we are exploring is so beautiful and what a pain. She doesn’t care that much about the guy (Michel Curiel’s Arthur), but sadly he won’t like Jen. The way Tatiana plays is so beautiful and true. But I do understand what you’re talking about. Like, “Don’t you like Jennifer Walters? She’s so hot!” So I hear you. I don’t buy either. (laughs.) She’s so cool. But the essence of what is being explored is, “You like the other side of me, but not both? Me too.” It’s confusing.

Hope Matt Murdoch doesn’t treat her that way. It doesn’t sound like his style. Did your final Daredevil tease suggest you had to work with Charlie Cox?

(laugh.) You don’t want me to actually answer The question, is it? Of course, I’m afraid to answer some of those questions, but I really think the fun of this show is in the tweaks next week. So I don’t want to share what you will find.