Alright MCU fans you know the hype is REAL for the upcoming Avengers movies Doomsday and Secret Wars. The rumor mill is spinning non-stop about who will show up who will not and what crazy multiversal shenanigans are in store. And one name keeps popping up but not in a way fans might like: Scarlet Witch.
Elizabeth Olsen Says "No Way" to Avengers Return: Is Scarlet Witch Officially Out of the Picture for Secret Wars and Doomsday?
So here's the tea Elizabeth Olsen herself has pretty much said Scarlet Witch will not be in either of the next Avengers blockbusters. Yep you read that right. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter Olsen stated pretty clearly that she is not going to be part of Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars.
Why the "no"? Olsen explained that after spending so much time in the Marvel universe she feels it's "really important for me to make choices outside of Marvel that reflect my own taste." Basically she wants to explore different roles and kinds of films which totally makes sense. She mentioned she is even moving on to film a pilot for an FX series called Seven Sisters. Sounds like Wanda Maximoff is taking a break for a while.
But Hold On... Can We REALLY Believe Her? The MCU's History of Secrets and Actor Deception is Strong!
Now before you start mourning the loss of Wanda in the Multiverse let's remember one thing: Marvel is SECRETIVE. Like Fort Knox level secretive. And actors in Marvel movies are basically professional liars when it comes to keeping plot details under wraps. We have seen this play out time and time again. Think Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire swearing up and down they weren't in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Or Benedict Cumberbatch denying he was Khan in Star Trek. The list goes on.
So is Elizabeth Olsen REALLY saying "no"? Or is this just another masterclass in Marvel misdirection? Some fans are definitely skeptical and for good reason. Scarlet Witch is kind of a big deal in the MCU especially after WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Plus in the comics Scarlet Witch has HUGE connections to both Doctor Doom and the whole Secret Wars storyline. It would almost feel weird to have these movies without her in some capacity.
Why Scarlet Witch's Absence Would Be a Disney "Disaster" (According to Some)
Forbes even called Olsen potentially skipping the Avengers movies a "Disney Disaster". Why so dramatic? Well a lot of the recent Disney+ MCU shows have been heavily linked to Wanda's storyline. WandaVision was all about her then we got Agatha All Along which involves Agatha Harkness a major character from WandaVision and even potentially Wanda's son Billy Maximoff is rumored to be part of future projects. And don't forget the Vision is getting his own series Vision Quest picking up after WandaVision too.
It feels like the whole Disney+ corner of the MCU has been building towards something with Wanda and her world. So for her to just vanish from the Avengers movies especially Secret Wars where she has comic book connections could feel like a missed opportunity or even a letdown for fans who have been invested in her story arc. In the comics Scarlet Witch has deep ties to Doctor Doom and the X-Men both of whom are expected to play a role in Secret Wars. It just seems odd to leave her out.
But Wait There's Agatha! Kathryn Hahn Responds to Scarlet Witch Rumors and Keeps the Mystery Alive
Adding another layer of intrigue Kathryn Hahn who plays Agatha Harkness in WandaVision and the upcoming Agatha All Along series was asked about Olsen's "no Avengers" statement. Her response? Basically "no comment" with a side of "I love her so much." Hahn said "Oh no I don't know anything about anything. I'm under a rock. I love her so much." Not exactly a denial right?
With rumors swirling that Billy Maximoff (Wanda's son) could be important in the Avengers movies it does make you wonder if Agatha might still pop up maybe even reunite with Wanda somehow. The showrunner for WandaVision and Agatha All Along Jac Schaeffer has also said she is interested in continuing stories with Agatha Wanda and other characters from that corner of the MCU sandbox. So the Agatha-Wanda connection might not be totally over even if Olsen is saying she's not in the Avengers films.
RDJ as Doctor Doom?! One Confirmed Return That Could Change Everything for Avengers: Doomsday
While Scarlet Witch's presence is uncertain there IS one major casting rumor that is gaining traction: Robert Downey Jr. potentially returning to the MCU... as DOCTOR DOOM. Yes you read that right. While details are super scarce the buzz is that RDJ might be back not as Iron Man but as the villainous Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday.
If this is true it is HUGE. Doctor Doom is one of Marvel's biggest villains and RDJ is well... RDJ. Having him play Doom would be a massive event. And considering Scarlet Witch's comic book history with Doctor Doom and Secret Wars it almost feels like they HAVE to bring Wanda back if Doom is involved right? Maybe that is wishful thinking but in the MCU anything is possible.
Will Scarlet Witch Vanish or Make a Surprise Comeback? The Avengers Saga Continues...
So what is the final verdict on Scarlet Witch and the Avengers movies? Honestly it is still anyone's guess. Elizabeth Olsen is saying she is not in them but in the world of Marvel that could mean anything or nothing. Maybe she is truly done with Wanda Maximoff for now maybe she is pulling an Andrew Garfield level of denial. We just don't know for sure.
One thing is certain: the hype for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars is only going to get bigger and the speculation about who will be in them will continue to run wild. Whether Scarlet Witch shows up or not these movies are shaping up to be massive events for the MCU and we will all be watching to see how it all unfolds. Get your popcorn ready folks it's going to be a wild ride!