The characters of "Once Upon a Time" are taking a backseat Sunday to make room for the Hollywood elite attending the Academy Awards. But the fairytale drama returns March 4 and series' creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz are wrapping up mysteries and starting new ones.

The duo, who did a media Q+A Tuesday, teased what's in store for the series: a top hat and more crazy Belle? Well, that's only the start of it.  

The top hat is a coming? The fairytale drama will enter the world of Wonderland (of "Alice in Wonderland" fame) in an upcoming episode. "Gossip Girl's" devilish character Sebastian Stan is set to play the Mad Hatter. "We find out how the Mad Hatter became mad," Kitsis said.

What's the deal with Catherine's disappearance? The mystery gets resolved this season. "David and Mary Margaret are really fighting a curse to be together," Horowitz said. "This was just another element in that." Added Kitsis: "I think this will definitely test them."

Is the relationship between Regina and Mr. Gold going to change? Naturally. "The thing that will be interesting is what the hell are they both up to," Kitsis said. "What's Mr. Gold up to ... why would somebody create a curse that they didn't themself [sic] employ? That is a question we are going to answer this year."

More crazy Belle? There will be, toward the end of the season. 

Are changes in store now that the book is back and the missing pages returned? The pages will actually tell the story of who the stranger is. "What we saw August [Eion Bailey] doing in that episode in putting those pages in the book is the first step in peeling back the onion to who this guy is and what his agenda in Storybrook is," Horowitz said. "That's coming in the next run of episodes."

Will The Huntsman have a resurrection?  Viewers are still mourning the departure of Jamie Dornan, who plays Sheriff Graham/The Hunstman.  And Kitsis and Horowitz are aware of the demand for his return. "We would like to have him back," Kitsis said. "Sometimes it's a scheduling thing that's beyond our control but right now we are trying to move heaven and earth to hopefully make it happen. I can't promise you."

Will Henry's father come into play at all this season? "Further down the line," Kitsis said. "I can tell you, we know who he is." Horowtiz added, "We have a very specific plan for that character ... If we do it right, it's an 'a-ha' moment."

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-- Yvonne Villarreal

Twitter.com/villarrealy

Photo: Raphael Sbarge (Archie Hopper), left, with Jared Gilmore (Henry) and Jennifer Morrison (Emma) in a scene from 'Once Upon a Time.' Credit: ABC