How Patti Lupone’s heartbreaking sacrifice scene affected the Marvel series’ tight-knit cast
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When Marvel Called, Patti Lupone Answered
Sitting at her kitchen table after trashing her Equity card, Patti Lupone wondered what path her career might take next.
Then came the unexpected call from Marvel, a universe sign she couldn’t ignore.
The three-time Tony winner jumped at the chance to play Sicilian witch Lilia in “Agatha All Along,” especially with Kathryn Hahn in the lead role.
Perfect Timing, Perfect Role
The stars aligned perfectly for Lupone’s casting.
Fresh off playing a tarot card reader in “American Horror Story,” she found herself testing for a similar role in “Agatha.”
Being Sicilian herself, Lupone felt a natural connection to the witchy character of Lilia Calderu, making the opportunity feel meant to be.
Star-Struck Cast Members
Working alongside Hahn was a major draw for Lupone, who admits being “a huge fan” of her costar.
The feeling was mutual, as Hahn describes the casting process like “Christmas morning” with each new announcement.
The ensemble, including Joe Locke and Aubrey Plaza, created magic together on screen.
Jumping In Without Looking
Hahn didn’t hesitate when offered the spinoff from her Emmy-nominated “WandaVision” role.
Knowing the original creative team was involved gave her confidence.
As details unfolded about exploring Agatha’s deeper character, Hahn grew increasingly excited about peeling back the layers beneath her character’s sarcastic exterior.
Beneath the Witchy Exterior
What drives someone like Agatha Harkness? Hahn was fascinated by this question throughout filming.
The Witches’ Road storyline allowed viewers to discover what truly motivated the character beyond her tough facade.
Most intriguing was the recurring question: “Was she born evil?” – a doubt that haunted Agatha herself.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Not everyone survived the witches’ dangerous journey.
With deadly swords dangling overhead and the Salem Seven in hot pursuit, the coven faced their most harrowing trial.
Lilia’s choice to sacrifice herself by flipping a tarot card that inverted the room became one of the series’ most gut-wrenching moments.
Heartbreak Behind the Scenes
“I love being a witch” – Lilia’s final words hit everyone hard. Filming the death scene left the entire cast emotional wrecks.
For Lupone, it wasn’t just a character dying but the end of a six-month journey with a team that had become like family.
The line represented their collective essence as witches.
Never Say Never in Marvel
Is Lilia really gone for good? Lupone playfully points out we never actually see her character hit those swords.
She even pitched Marvel boss Kevin Feige a brilliant idea: show tiny Lilia still falling in the corner of future Marvel movies.
In the MCU, death isn’t always the end.
Behind the Magic
The sword sequence wasn’t just movie magic – real blades fell around the actors during filming.
This shared danger created a unique bond between cast members who faced genuine challenges together.
The experience made “Agatha All Along” unlike anything either actress had done before.
More Stories to Tell
While Lupone’s Broadway show “The Roommate” and Hahn’s failed “Ab Fab” American remake represent roads not taken, their paths crossed perfectly in the Marvel universe.
With season 2 reportedly a priority for Marvel, perhaps we haven’t seen the last of these witches – or even Lilia herself.