According to recent rumors, Marvel has cut ties with Elizabeth Olsen, but they are not true. Although Scarlet Witch is dead in the MCU after being crushed by Mount Wundagore in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Elizabeth Olsen may still return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Some recent decisions by Disney/Marvel have led to speculation that the acclaimed actor and the Scarlet Witch are taking a break from the MCU. However, these rumors are almost certainly false.
It makes sense for both narrative and personal reasons that Elizabeth Olsen is taking a break from the MCU to enjoy other roles. The lack of a second season of WandaVision or any pre-announced Scarlet Witch appearances should not be a cause for concern. Wanda will almost certainly return to the MCU, most likely for a redemption arc to help her fellow heroes in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.
Marvel has officially announced that there will not be a second season of WandaVision, as the first season has been titled “The Complete Series” on its home media packaging. However, this news should not catch anyone off guard and does not indicate any sudden changes in plans for Scarlet Witch. Elizabeth Olsen had already confirmed her stance on the show back in 2021, saying in an interview with Variety that it is definitely a limited series. Although she left the door slightly open by adding that with Marvel, you can never say never.
It appears that the first season of WandaVision was intended to be a standalone and complete series from the beginning, even though its plot threads may continue in other places. Kathrynn Hahn’s character, Agatha, will be revisited in the upcoming show Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, which will explore her experiences after being released from Wanda’s control. This new series may feature flashbacks of Scarlet Witch and pave the way for Olsen’s next appearance in the MCU.
Despite the lack of a second season for WandaVision, it should not be a cause for concern about Olsen’s future involvement in the MCU. Only a few Marvel Disney+ shows have been confirmed for a second season, namely Loki and What If…, with I Am Groot recently debuting its second season of digital shorts. WandaVision is in good company with other MCU shows like Hawkeye and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which likewise have no announced plans for future seasons at this time.
Reports have emerged regarding the removal of Scarlet Witch from the cover of Marvel Studios’ The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline book, leading to speculations about her future in the MCU and potential negative changes to her character. Originally, the cover featured six images of characters from the franchise, including a shot of Scarlet Witch using her magic. However, recent updates to the online storefronts show that she has been replaced by Loki and Sylvie. While disappointing for fans of Wanda Maximoff, there is likely a less ominous reason for the change. The cover mostly features currently active characters, with only Iron Man and Thanos being deceased. The swap may simply be a marketing decision to promote characters that are more immediately relevant to the franchise. Additionally, it makes sense given that Loki season 2 is set to premiere on October 6, just a few weeks before the timeline book’s release on October 24.
Elizabeth Olsen has been quite straightforward about taking a break from Marvel and whether or not she will return. Despite the playful misdirection employed by many Marvel actors to conceal their involvement in upcoming projects, Olsen has made her intentions clear. During an appearance on Today in April, when asked if Scarlet Witch would be back, she replied, “My honest answer is ‘Yes, I hope so.’ I have no idea.” She further explained that she hadn’t filmed anything or seen a script for any future appearances and did not have a current contract.
Shortly after, Olsen expressed that she did not miss playing Scarlet Witch and felt that the break had been good for her. During an interview with Variety, she said, “No, I don’t miss it. I just did two years straight of it, so I think the break has been good for me. I need to build other characters.” Although it may seem like she’s happy to be away from the character, it’s worth noting that Olsen referred to the departure as a break rather than a permanent end. It’s perfectly reasonable for an actor not to be tied to one franchise and role, and Olsen seems to be enjoying exploring other projects.
During a recent interview with Variety, Elizabeth Olsen was asked about rumors of being fired from Marvel. However, she clarified that these rumors were false and expressed her pride in what she has accomplished through her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff. While she is not done with the character, Olsen wants to explore other roles for the sake of diversity and balance in her career. As a talented actor, it’s understandable that she wants to try different genres, and with Wanda’s apparent death, now seems like the perfect time to do so.
At the moment, it is uncertain what lies ahead for Scarlet Witch in the MCU. The information regarding her future has not been made public. However, considering her significance as an Avenger, it is likely that Marvel would want to bring her back as a hero in an upcoming movie rather than letting her die as a villain. The fact that she currently lacks a contract should not cause concern, as Marvel has been known to sign smaller deals on a movie-by-movie basis with most of their talents. Nonetheless, if Elizabeth Olsen decides to step down from the role, Scarlet Witch’s character arc in the franchise has been one of the more unique ones.