Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch has returned, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe now has an interesting explanation for how Wanda Maximoff could be alive. Few MCU characters have had as much of an impact in the Multiverse Saga as the Scarlet Witch has so far. Once a supporting player in the franchise, one of the MCU’s best TV shows, WandaVision, allowed Olsen’s version of the powerful magic user to grow into one of Marvel Studios’ most popular characters. With an arc rooted in trauma, Wanda’s story led to a villain turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The Scarlet Witch’s MCU timeline stopped in the movie. That is because Wanda Maximoff seemingly died at the end of the Doctor Strange sequel. Sacrificing herself to destroy all the Darkholds in every universe — preventing others from being tempted by dark magic like she was — Mount Wundagore collapsed on top of the Scarlet Witch, seemingly killing her. However, due to Wanda’s incredible power, the character’s popularity, and how she could play a key role in the upcoming Avengers movies, it has been believed that the Scarlet Witch would return in some way. Well, she has now, but not as expected.
Agatha All Along Teased The Scarlet Witch’s MCU Return
Wanda Maximoff’s Presence Was Felt
WandaVision was such a beloved series that it has led to two spinoff shows, Agatha All Along, which has already ended, and the upcoming Vision series. It was speculated that the Scarlet Witch would at least make a cameo in the Agatha Harkness series, but Wanda Maximoff did not appear. However, her presence was certainly felt in the show, and there were many hints towards the character’s return. Agatha All Along set up the Scarlet Witch’s MCU return right from its first episode. Under Wanda’s spell, Agatha thought she was a police detective.
The Jane Doe in her case, whose face was never shown, would later be revealed to be Wanda Maximoff. After asking Herb, her partner, whether the Jane Doe is really ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, Agatha teases that the Scarlet Witch might not be ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, saying, “You never know,” and winking. Later in the show, it would be revealed that Joe Locke’s “Teen” was actually Billy Maximoff, one of Wanda’s sons. He helped his brother, Tommy, find a body to occupy, so both of the Scarlet Witch’s children are now back in the MCU. A reunion between Wanda and her sons is now possible.
The TVA’s New Comic Book Reveals The Fate Of Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff Returns In Marvel Comics
Wanda has not been seen in the MCU for years since she was presumed ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, but Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch has now returned in a project no one would have expected. Due to the popularity of Disney+’s Loki series, Marvel Comics has put out a series about the TVA, aka the Time Variance Authority. In “TVA (2024) #3”, the latest issue in the comic co-written by Loki scribe Katharyn Blair, it is revealed that Spider-Gwen, one of the members of the TVA’s multiverse recruits, walks by what appears to be Olsen’s Scarlet Witch.
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As can be seen in the above art of the Scarlet Witch in the TVA comic book (via @MCU_Direct/Twitter), the character wears the same costume that Olsen’s version of Wanda Maximoff did in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The Scarlet Witch’s fingertips are also blackened, like her movie counterpart, due to the Darkhold’s corruption. Comic book artist Pere Pérez (via @Austin_Medzz/Twitter) initially claimed that it was indeed Olsen’s Scarlet Witch who appeared in the TVA comic book. This would explain how Wanda survived in the MCU, as she was captured by the TVA before Mount Wundagore collapsed.
However, after his initial statement, Pérez changed his stance, saying that the TVA’s Scarlet Witch is “a very similar variant” to the MCU’s Wanda, but not her. There are two ways in which this could go. The comic series has referenced events from the MCU and Disney+’s Loki, so it is possible that the story will explain just how canon this Scarlet Witch story really is, and Pérez ended up jumping the gun, causing Marvel to ask him to retract. This Scarlet Witch could also just be a variant of the MCU Wanda, though their predicament could be the same.
Why It Makes Sense For The TVA To Imprison The Scarlet Witch After Loki Season 2
The Disney+ Series Made Some Major Changes To The Organization
Loki season 2 featured a major status quo change for the TVA. The organization is no longer charged with pruning different universes and the characters in them to preserve the Sacred Timeline. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki has become the protector of the multiverse, with the TVA now monitoring threats to the entire multiverse. With the TVA fighting for the good of all universes, it makes sense that Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch would not be met with much love at the organization, as her villain turn in the MCU could have led to her being imprisoned.
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Disney+’s Loki seasons |
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Season |
Release Date |
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Loki Season 1 |
June 9, 2021 |
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Loki Season 2 |
October 5, 2023 |
In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Olsen’s Scarlet Witch terrorized the multiverse in search of a reality where her sons were alive. To get there, she murdered quite a lot of people along the way, including the Illuminati from Earth-838. That level of multiversal carnage and destruction would not have been forgotten by the TVA, even though the Scarlet Witch grew a conscience at the end of the film. While Loki season 2 was only released more than a year after the Doctor Strange sequel, the TVA exists outside of time, so Scarlet Witch could have been caught.
When Could Wanda Maximoff Return To The MCU?
Marvel Studios Could Bring Back The Scarlet Witch In 2026
Whether she is trapped in the TVA, ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, or somewhere else, the MCU’s Scarlet Witch is likely to return to the franchise next year. 2026 has a couple of projects that would be perfect for Wanda Maximoff’s return. Elizabeth Olsen might have missed the MCU’s first WandaVision spinoff, but Disney+’s White Vision series would make a lot of sense for her MCU return. As Paul Bettany’s Marvel hero begins to remember who he was, Vision could embark on a mission to find his love, Wanda, revealing where the Scarlet Witch has been since 2022.
If her return does not come in a TV series, Olsen’s Scarlet Witch could always come back in a movie. Avengers: Doomsday would make for a fine project for Wanda’s MCU return. In the Children’s Crusade storyline from Marvel Comics, which the MCU has most of the pieces for with the Young Avengers, it was revealed that, despite being presumed ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, the Scarlet Witch was living with Doctor Doom. Since Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor von Doom debuts next year and Olsen is one of the franchise’s biggest stars, pairing them together in Avengers: Doomsday could make Scarlet Witch‘s return shocking.
All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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