Summary
One of the more tragic and interesting characters in the modernMCUis Wanda Maximoff. Now known as The Scarlet Witch, Kevin Feige and company have managed to make her someone that can really be pitied considering her start in the universe as well as her end. It’s her tragic backstory that makes her such a compelling character and it’s the reason why the Marvel Cinematic Universe is almost certainly not done with her yet.
While The Scarlet Witch’s story was seemingly ended in theMCUinDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there’s been a lot of talk about her character not actually being dead. She’s certainly powerful enough that while that movie showed her character being killed off,even the actress that plays her, Elizabeth Olsen, isn’t so sure that was really the end. However, if The Scarlet Witch does come back to the MCU, Feige and his gang would be well suited not to bring her back on a redemption arc. She shouldn’t try and prove that she’s good again. Wanda would be a far more interesting character if she continues to go dark, precisely because of her tragic story.
The Scarlet Witch Returns
There has been enough talk about The Scarlet Witch returning in one form or another both on social mediaand inAgatha All Alongthat it seems like a foregone conclusion for sure. What’s still in question in how the character would return and what Wanda will be like when she returns.
What’s still in question in how the character would return and what Wanda will be like when she returns.
Because Wanda Maximoff is such a tragic character, there is going to be a strong pull both by those in charge of the MCU and its fans, to find a way to have her come back and be a good guy again. She’s already undertaken the transformation from bad guy to good buy once, firstbattling the Avengers inAge of Ultronand then eventually becoming their ally by the end of the film. While most characters wouldn’t be given the second chance that some will call for Wanda to get, the fact that her love/husband died inAvengers: Infinity Warand then again inWandavisiongives her some leeway.
But it shouldn’t.By the end ofWandavision, she was on her way to being the bad guy. ByMultiverse of Madness, she was a stone-cold murderer. Even if she thought she was doing it for her kids, even if some people understood her “mama bear” approach, she killed dozens of people. While the MCU has set her up as being someone that was being controlled or influenced the Darkhold, it would be far more interesting if she’s just gone. If there’s no coming back from the Darkhold’s influence and once someone allows themselves to be used by it the way the Scarlet Witch did, her personality is changed forever.
An Evil Scarlet Witch Is Simply More Interesting
Some of the best movie franchises have been made more interesting by someone the heroes considered an ally, turning against them. It doesn’t even have to be all that prolonged or in depth. In theStar Warscinematic universe,The Empire Strikes Backis as good as it is, in part becauseLando stabs Han and the restof the “good guys” in the back. And the rebel alliance looks pretty cooked because of it. Obviously, George Lucas allowed Lando to have his redemption moment, but that doesn’t mean The Scarlet Witch has to have hers.
One of the more interesting rumors regarding the character is that she’ll make some sort of return appearance in theupcomingVisionDisney+ series. It would be quite a bit more interesting to see her come back and be evil. Perhaps even tricking the Vision into thinking she was still the woman he loved for the purposes of some sort of heel turn. Certainly stabbing her one true love in the back would make for a riveting story. Especially since it’s not one the audience has come close to seeing in the MCU yet.
The Scarlet Witch Teaming Up With Doctor Doom
Perhaps theultimate return for Wandawould be if she teams up with what is going to be theMCU’s Thanos-level villain in this run of movies. It’s already been long confirmed that Robert Downey Jr is playing the role of Doom. So there will be at least one villain who bears the face of the Avengers’ friend. While it’s not clearwhether this will be a Tony Starkwho has gone bad, or a Victor Von Doom who simply looks like Stark, it should be a decent emotional gut punch.
If the Avengers are already reeling when they’re dealing with a Doctor Doom who looks like their friend, adding an evil Scarlet Witch to the mix is a double hit. If both characters are from another universe and that’s how she’s brought back from the dead, then it would be even better. The good guys might recognize her, but there wouldn’t be any chance for a redemption arc because she’snot the Wanda they know.
MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a sprawling movie and television franchise that weaves together individual stories of superheroes including Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man, Hulk, Black Widow, and many more. The first film in the franchise, Iron Man, was released in 2008. The MCU has garnered critical praise and financial success, earning billions at the box office and becoming a cultural phenomenon.
