Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About Netflix's Wednesday
#10: Jenna Ortega’s Gory Audition
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The actress was shooting another movie called “X” when she auditioned to play Wednesday Addams. She’d just finished filming a rather eventful scene when she hopped onto the Zoom call covered in fake blood and other stage makeup. Luckily for the actress, Tim Burton famously has a taste for the macabre, so when he saw her, he couldn’t help but laugh. Reportedly, Burton reached out to the actress himself as he was very interested in her playing the iconic role and has since said he “can’t imagine any other Wednesday.” If you ask us, it sounds like an audition story that would make Wednesday herself very proud— you know, if she cared more.
#9: Tim Burton Easter Eggs
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Tim Burton was meant to direct the 1991 “The Addams Family” movie but passed since he was filming “Batman Returns” at the time. Fortunately, the opportunity to revisit the “altogether ooky” family rolled around once again. Burton’s aesthetic is evident throughout the series, but production designer Mark Scruton also added some easter eggs calling back to the director’s previous works. Check out the back wall of the Weathervane cafe and see how many nods you can spot. Here, we’ll get you started. That Headless Horseman gives us real “Sleepy Hollow” vibes. Also, composer Danny Elfman was supposedly influenced by original cartoonist Charles Addams’ drawings and incorporated a harpsichord to connect this series to the ‘60s television series.
#8: Why Nevermore's Roof Looks Familiar
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As one Reddit user pointed out, Wednesday’s new school, Nevermore, and her family’s home share a similar aesthetic, and their roofs could almost be mirror images. Indeed, this reflects Burton’s style, which tends to dip into the Gothic and German Expressionism, among other art movements. So it’s pretty handy that “The Addams Family” world lends itself perfectly to the “Burtonesque” style. But apparently, this was also a deliberate choice so that the school matched the show’s famous look while a few digital touches gave it a more modern edge. Meanwhile, hardcore “Addams Family” fans might’ve also noticed a teddy bear in Principal Weems’s office that calls back to one from the Addams’ home in the original television show.
#7: Thora Birch Was Reportedly Meant to Play a Key Role
The actress, who you may know best as Dani Dennison from “Hocus Pocus,” was originally meant to play Wednesday’s dorm mother and resident “normie,” Tamara Novak. She reportedly filmed the bulk of her scenes before abruptly leaving due to a “personal matter.” However, based on an interview with Entertainment Tonight, it sounds like there could be more to the story. Rather than recast the role, the writers created a brand new character, Marilyn Thornhill, played by former Wednesday Addams, Christina Ricci. The actress shared that she “was thrilled and really flattered” by the offer. You know what they say; sometimes things have to fall apart to make way for an epic throwback (or something to that effect). #
6: A Nod to Alfred Hitchcock
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Burton wasn’t the only master of the macabre on the “Wednesday” set. According to costume designer Colleen Atwood, her inspiration for Nevermore’s principal, Larissa Weems, came from a poster of Tippi Hedren in Alfred Hitchock’s “The Birds.” She approached Gwendoline Christie with the image and told her, “this is who I think you are.” The actress loved it and said, “It is the first time I’ve ever felt beautiful on screen.” She definitely looks stunning, and the fact that she’s a walking tribute to one of horror’s most iconic movies is a bonus. Getting to emulate Melanie Daniels without the fear of being attacked by killer birds sounds like a pretty awesome experience.
#5: The Symbolism of Nevermore’s Gargoyles
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No Gothic building would be complete without some Gargoyles to give us the creeps. But there’s more to those who reside around Nevermore than meets the eye. When you first approach the building, the gargoyles hovering over the entrance represent the different cliques at the school. But that’s not all! Pay close attention to the grotesque statues throughout the film, as their expressions differ based on their angle or the scene’s action. Talk about attention to detail! It kind of makes the Gargoyles feel like additional characters, don’t you think? Also, as Scruton told Variety, the ones seen in the quad contain nods to other Burton characters. Did you notice any?
#4: Jenna Ortega Didn’t Ask Christina Ricci for Character Notes
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It's a huge challenge to bring a well-known character to life and still put a unique spin on her. So you might think that having a former Wednesday on set would be pretty helpful. However, according to Ortega, she and Ricci didn't share notes since their two characters are "very different people." The actress didn't want to copy her predecessor's performance, while Ricci seemingly wanted to give Ortega the space to make Wednesday her own. Although, it's worth noting that Ricci's Wednesday was a child while Ortega's is a teenager, so they were always going to be different to some extent. Still, we love both interpretations equally, and both are undeniable icons.
#3: How Thing Got Around
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You’re probably thinking, well, that’s obvious! It’s the 21st century; clearly, either they’re using CGI, or it’s animatronic. Well, in both cases, you’d be wrong because this Thing was played by Victor Dorobantu, who had the famous hand built around his real one. Behind-the-scenes photos show the actor in a blue suit crouching, laying, or standing in positions that look less than comfortable. In some shots, you can see him lying across a motorized platform that gives the illusion of the hand walking around. Incidentally, like Christopher Hart, who played Thing in the 90s, Dorobantu is also a magician. You’ve got to hand it to them; this is excellent casting. And Dorobantu really adds a magic touch.
#2: Jenna Ortega Learnt New Skills for the Role
Unlike previous Wednesdays, this one’s picked up a few more hobbies besides torturing Pugsley. Ortega put in the hours to learn her character’s favorite pastimes, including lessons in fencing, archery, and canoeing, and she took cello lessons two times a week. Also, if you want to learn more about fudge and colonialism in German, she’s your gal! Needless to say, the hours she put in paid off as she masters the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” beautifully, and her fencing skills are on point! Another way that this Wednesday stands out is that she never blinks. Apparently, Ortega filmed one take without blinking, and Burton liked it so much that he decided to make it a character trait. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. George Burcea Is the Shortest Live-Action Lurch Some of His Predecessors Reached Heights as Tall as 6’9” & 7’ It Was Filmed in Romania Various Romanian Locations Help Set the Stage, Including Small Mountainous Town of Bușteni Broke Netflix’s Record for Most Hours Watched In a Week for an English-Language TV Series At 341.2 Million Hours, It Surpassed Previous Record-Holder “Stranger Things” Season Four at 335.01 Million Hours Emma Myers Attended “Werewolf Boot Camp” Where Do We Sign Up?
#1: Jenna Ortega Choreographed That Dance
In one of the series’ most talked about moments, we see Wednesday hit the dance floor to “Goo Goo Muck” by The Cramps. But did you know that those killer moves were Jenna Ortega’s creation? Really, if there was any dance style to personify Wednesday and her kooky family, this is it. The actress took inspiration from various influences, including Bob Fosse, Siouxsie Sioux, 80s goths in nightclubs, and more. Eagle-eyed “Addams Family” fans will even spot nods to the original Wednesday, Lisa Loring’s signature move. It almost feels like she channeled the entire Addams ancestry to come up with the perfect moves, and she had to perform the dance soon after contracting COVID.
