How the MCU Can Perfectly Reintroduce Scarlet Witch in Avengers: Doomsday

Overview of Upcoming Avengers Events

The upcoming two-part Avengers crossover is set to eclipse the iconic portal scene from Endgame, featuring a multitude of character returns.
Scarlet Witch’s anticipated comeback is hinted at in a recent TVA comic, potentially linking her return to Doctor Strange and the Doomsday storyline.
Elisabeth Olsen has expressed openness to reprise her role as Scarlet Witch in various MCU projects, including a standalone film.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is gearing up for yet another major Avengers crossover. Slated for release in 2025, the two-part series featuring Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars promises to exceed the beloved character reunions seen in Avengers: Endgame. However, not every character from the extensive MCU roster will be making an appearance during this ambitious cinematic event.

With a cinematic universe consisting of 35 films and an array of television series, Marvel has introduced numerous characters, especially since diving into the multiverse narrative evident in Spider-Man: No Way Home and the surprising cameos surrounding Deadpool and Wolverine. As the narrative progresses in Captain America: Brave New World, it’s notable that there is currently no active Avengers team. Nevertheless, with reality-bending threats like the Illuminati and a potential return for Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom on the horizon, only an imminent multiversal crisis could reunite the Avengers.

Hints of Scarlet Witch’s Return in the MCU

While details are still emerging regarding the cast of Doomsday, it has been confirmed that characters from projects such as Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four: First Steps will make their appearances. Interestingly, Benedict Cumberbatch has publicly stated he won’t return as Doctor Strange for the fifth Avengers installment. Speculations about a potential ‘New Avengers’ team include Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, and Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi. But what about the Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff herself?

Since her introduction in a mid-credits scene for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Elisabeth Olsen has become synonymous with the character of Wanda Maximoff. Following her prominent roles in Avengers: Age of Ultron and the acclaimed WandaVision, which garnered significant fan appreciation, questions lingered about her fate after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Despite her apparent demise, many fans remain hopeful for her resurrection, believing the Multiverse could play a pivotal role in her return.

Recent developments in the Marvel Comics TVA comic book suggest a potential comeback for Wanda. In the third issue, Spider-Gwen discovers Wanda imprisoned within the TVA, dressed in familiar attire from her last appearance. This revelation has sparked fan theories connecting Wanda’s storyline within the comics to the larger MCU narrative.

TVA artist Pere Perez confirmed via social media that this Wanda is, indeed, the same character portrayed by Elisabeth Olsen. He noted:

“To address all the questions about it that I’m getting: yes, this is the same Wanda Maximoff played by Elisabeth Olsen on the MCU films. The other question, if it means that this comic is MCU continuity or any other issues about how this ties in with the movies or other comics, please ask the editor Jordan White, the writer Katharyn Blair or, I don’t know… Kevin Feige?”

This creates exciting possibilities, as theorists suggest the TVA may have intervened just before Wanda’s demise, potentially saving her for future developments. The show Agatha All Along teased Wanda’s fate, as showrunner Jac Schaeffer chose her words carefully when addressing her status, implying there’s more to the story.

However, Perez later clarified that readers should await issue #4 for more details, adding to the intrigue surrounding Wanda’s character. Given that Wanda’s actions resulted in the destruction of the Darkhold throughout all universes, it’s reasonable that she would capture the TVA’s attention. As a powerful Nexus Being, Wanda Maximoff is precisely the type of individual the TVA would monitor. Whether this Wanda parallels the one presumed to have perished in Multiverse of Madness seems less critical, as she remains a variant with the potential to resurface in the main MCU timeline.

Scarlet Witch: The MCU’s Key Player

Rumors are swirling regarding Olsen’s involvement in future projects, including Vision Quest, and her return may come sooner than expected. Elizabeth Olsen has maintained a close bond with the Scarlet Witch role, confirmed through her voice work in Marvel Zombies. She recently spoke about her eagerness to portray the character when creatively applicable, stating through Dublin’s FM104:

“It’s a character that I love going back to when there’s a way to use her well…So if there’s a good way to use her I’m always happy to come back, however they can make that make sense.”

Kevin Feige has echoed this sentiment, sharing his enthusiasm regarding Wanda’s potential return during interviews. He noted:

“We had Agatha All Along on Disney+ just now, and that series was great for us. Since then, many questions have remained in fans’ minds about Wanda… So, all I can say is we are excited to find out when and how Scarlet Witch can return.”

Given the momentum surrounding the TVA comic and upcoming MCU stories, anticipation for Olsen’s live-action return grows. Speculation suggests that future plots, particularly in Agatha All Along and Vision Quest, are paving the way for a highly anticipated standalone film centered on Scarlet Witch. As a character who wields immense reality-warping abilities, her return will resonate powerfully within the MCU. Despite the likelihood of significant character losses akin to those witnessed in Endgame, Wanda’s storyline suggests she might rise again to lead the MCU into a new era post-Secret Wars.

Recent concept art hints at a future storyline that could involve her children, Wiccan (played by Joe Locke) and Speed (actor still unconfirmed), potentially linking them to the Young Avengers. Additionally, Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord seems poised to join Paul Bettany’s White Vision, with artistic representations suggesting a medieval backdrop reminiscent of Doctor Doom’s Latveria. There’s speculation that we might see a twist on the Avengers: The Children’s Crusade storyline with an amnesiac Wanda engaged in a storyline involving Doom. Although fresh information hints that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will ally with Scarlet Witch in Doomsday, recent reports indicate that much of this concept art may actually be tied to Secret Wars, suggesting a wait for Wanda’s full comeback.

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