TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas carefully built its brand over the last decade and a half, and over the course of that time, standout characters have become fan-favorites. One of those fan-favorites was Wanda Maximoff, aka The Scarlet Witch, played byElizabeth Olsen. Wanda’s first full appearance (so not counting that post-credit scene inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier) was inAvengers: Age of Ultron. Olsen played Wanda alongsideAaron Taylor-Johnson’s Pietro Maximoff, Wanda’s twin. Though Wanda wouldn’t officially hear of the label The Scarlet Witch untilWandaVision, Olsen has played the character several times over the last decade.
When talking with Collider’sChristina RadishforThe Assessment, Olsen was asked about her experience playing The Scarlet Witch. She expressed her appreciation for the role she was able to play as well as looking ahead towards the prospect of ever playing her again. When Radish noted that it’s unusual to get to play a character for so long in so many different forms, Olsen said:
“It’s really unusual. It’s something that’s been incredible. I assume it’s how people feel when they when they get to do a TV show for a long time.To be able to return to a character and continue to move them forward has been so much fun for me, especially because they gave me something like WandaVision to really blow it all up. And from there, Doctor Strange was such a wild and crazy turn.I do feel very lucky that I’ve been able to play a character for over 10 years of my life, andI’d love to keep doing more. But the animation thing, I feel like it’s a parallel world. I don’t really know how it intersects with what we do. But I’ve really enjoyed getting to play her over 10 years, and I continue to feel lucky that I have the opportunities I did, creatively.”
Could The Scarlet Witch Return in the MCU?
The short answer is, of course, yes. With the multiverse basically an old hat now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s possible for any character to return, really. At the end ofDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,we see what is assumed to be the death of Wanda Maximoff. Overcome by grief at all the lives she’s destroyed, simply trying to reunite herself with her sons Billy and Tommy after the events ofWandaVision,she destroys the Darkhold Castle on Mount Wundagore with her in it. There’s a flash of something, the same translucent red of her magic that’s seen as the dust properly settles, but fans are left to assume that she died, crushed under the mounds of rock.
Fans have not been given any indication to the contrary, so it would seem that the book for this version of Wanda, whom fans first met inAge of Ultron, is closed. During theMultiverse of Madness,as well as in Marvel’sWhat If…?animated series, fans have seen iterations of Wanda that aren’t the prime version Olsen has played for the last ten years. Just like withthe return of Gamora(Zoe Saldaña), it’s possible that a version of Wanda from another timeline or universe could pop up in a more permanent role. With Billy Maximoff’s (Joe Locke) story likely continuing as the MCU progresses, especially in his search for his brother Tommy, finding a version of Wanda could bring closure for the whole family (likely withghost!Agatha Harknessgagging at the sentimental-ness of the moment over in the corner).
The Assessmentwill be released in theaters on March 21. you’re able to rewatch Olsen’s appearances as Wanda Maximoff on Disney+. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.
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