Scarlet Witch Returns to Avengers: Doomsday!

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Summary

  • Two-part Avengers crossover expected to surpass Endgame’s star-studded portal scene in character returns.
  • Scarlet Witch’s MCU return hinted in TVA comic, possibly tied to Doctor Strange and Doomsday plot.
  • Olsen open to reprising role in multiple MCU projects, including potential Scarlet Witch standalone movie.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe seems poised for another Avengers team-up, following up on the epic events of “Avengers: Endgame” which concluded in 2019. However, it may still take a while before we discover what’s coming up next. The upcoming two-parter, titled “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”, is rumored to surpass the spectacular character lineup of the portal scene in “Endgame”. But not every superhero will receive an invitation to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s grand gathering.

In the cinematic universe of Marvel Studios, boasting over 35 MCU films and multiple TV series, a vast array of characters had already been introduced before the multiversal possibilities of movies like “Spider-Man: No Way Home” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” were tapped, bringing back characters from previous Marvel films for cameos. The recent movie “Captain America: Brave New World” serves as a reminder that currently, there’s no active team of Avengers. However, with potentially universe-shattering events such as the Illuminati and Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom on the horizon, only an imminent threat to the entire Multiverse might reunite Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

The MCU Hints at Scarlet Witch’s Return

Information regarding the cast for the 2026 film, tentatively titled “Doomsday,” remains scarce. However, it’s confirmed that characters from “Thunderbolts” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” will feature. Benedict Cumberbatch has announced he won’t reprise his role as Doctor Strange in the next Avengers film. There are rumors of a potential ‘New Avengers’ team, with Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, and Simu Liu’s Shang Chi being strong contenders. But what about Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch?

In “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Elisabeth Olsen debuted as Wanda Maximoff and became a significant figure in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Marvel Studios’ president, Kevin Feige, even labeled her as the MCU’s strongest character. The affection for Ms. Maximoff skyrocketed after “WandaVision,” post-“Endgame.” Although some found her portrayal puzzling in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” Wanda appeared to die alongside the Scarlet Witch persona. However, fans could see numerous possibilities for her revival without requiring the power of the Multiverse.

As a fervent admirer, I’m thrilled about Marvel Comics’ latest TVA comic series, which aligns seamlessly with the MCU and presents an ideal opportunity for the Russo Brothers to reintegrate Wanda for the upcoming Doomsday storyline. Penned by Katharyn Blair, who has previously worked on Loki and Daredevil Born Again, this comic centers around the Time Variance Authority and their efforts to control the Sacred Timeline. In the third issue, Spider-Gwen ventures into a restricted area of the TVA and encounters Wanda Maximoff in captivity. With her appearance resembling Olsen’s portrayal and donning the Scarlet Witch outfit last seen after being buried under Mt. Wundagore in Multiverse of Madness, fans are already piecing together the clues.

Things get even more interesting when TVA artist Pere Perez took to Instagram and said:

To clarify all the queries regarding this: Indeed, this features the same character Wanda Maximoff, portrayed by Elisabeth Olsen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. If you have questions about whether this comic is part of MCU continuity, or any other inquiries regarding how it connects to the movies or other comics, I recommend reaching out to editor Jordan White, writer Katharyn Blair, or even Kevin Feige for more information.

The concept is that the TVA intervened and rescued Wanda just before her demise, prompting many spectators to speculate about her survival due to a conspicuous red flash when Wanda ‘died’. Agatha All Along subtly hinted at Wanda’s fate, with Rio Vidal (played by Aubrey Plaza) mentioning that Ms. Maximoff was ‘absent’. Showrunner Jac Schaeffer deliberately employed precise phrasing instead of confirming her death outright.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that the plot thickens with each passing issue of “TVA”. Perez’s recent statement about Earth-616’s Wanda being detained by the TVA has left me baffled, but I urge readers to stay tuned for #4 as it promises to clear up some confusion. Given Wanda’s history of destroying the Darkhold across all universses when she brought down Mt. Wundagore, her appearance on the TVA’s radar seems plausible. Moreover, as a Nexus Being with immense power, she’s precisely the kind of individual the agency would be monitoring.

Even if this isn’t the Wanda who was presumed dead at the end of “Multiverse of Madness”, she remains a variant. Just like Earth-838’s Wanda continues to live, the one being held in the TVA could potentially become the main MCU’s version and play a significant role in “Doomsday”.

Scarlet Witch is the MCU’s Secret Weapon

Speculation swirls about Elizabeth Olsen potentially reprising her role for Vision Quest, hinting at an earlier comeback to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actress has maintained a connection with Scarlet Witch and lends her voice to Marvel Zombies, a role she’s expressed interest in bringing to life-action on various occasions. In an interview with FM104 Dublin in 2024, Olsen shared:

(Note that the date is fictional for this example.)

I find myself drawn to this character whenever she’s utilized effectively. If there’s an opportunity to do so in a meaningful way, I’d be more than willing to revisit her, as long as it aligns with the narrative.

This has been echoed by MCU overlord Kevin Feige, who told Omelette:

We’ve just watched Agatha All Along on Disney+, a fantastic show for us! It’s left many unanswered questions about Wanda among fans. Needless to say, we’re eagerly waiting to discover when and in what way the Scarlet Witch might reappear.

It’s widely anticipated that Elizabeth Olsen will reprise her role as Scarlet Witch in live-action at some point. The latest TVA comic has fueled this expectation among fans. After the next two Avengers movies, there are speculations that stories like Agatha All Along and Vision Quest could be leading up to the long-anticipated standalone movie about Scarlet Witch. Olsen’s portrayal of the character, not just her powerful reality-altering abilities, has made her a beloved figure in the MCU. Despite significant character deaths expected in the next two Avengers movies, Wanda’s recent ‘death’ seems to indicate that she will likely survive and continue shaping the MCU post-Secret Wars.

In the upcoming Avengers films, conceptual artwork suggests that characters like Wiccan (Joe Locke) and Speed, as well as Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord and Paul Bettany’s White Vision, will be part of a group known as the Young Avengers. This art appears to depict a medieval setting resembling Latveria, Doom’s territory. There’s speculation that an amnesiac Wanda Maximoff might be betrothed to Doom in this storyline, reminiscent of the “Avengers: The Children’s Crusade” comic book arc. However, recent whispers hint at Robert Downey Jr.’s Doom collaborating with Scarlet Witch in a film called “Doomsday”, while the most recent news indicates that the leaked art is primarily from “Secret Wars”. If this is true, it might take some time before we see Wanda Maximoff restored to her previous self within the MCU.

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2025-03-03 18:06