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Warning! Spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.Scarlet Witch's perfect replacement has been officially introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Elizabeth Olsen debuted Wanda Maximoff in the franchise over a decade ago in Avengers: Age of Ultron, alongside her twin, Pietro Maximoff. Unlike her brother, however, Scarlet Witch has survived the ordeal against Ultron and eventually joined the Avengers. That said, to say that her life has been difficult since the destruction of Sokovia would be an understatement.
Wanda is regarded as one of, if not the most tragic characters in the MCU — and that says a lot, since the universe isn't lacking in tragic personal narratives. The fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity Warleft her without Vision, and without the proper support, her grief led to the events of WandaVision. The last time Scarlet Witch was in the MCU was in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she was deemed dead in the end, although theories claim that it's a misdirection. In any case, considering how long she has been gone, it seems like Marvel Studios has found the perfect replacement for the character.
Why Jean Grey Is MCU's Perfect Scarlet Witch Replacement
Credit:Faye's Vision/Cover Images
Marvel Studios' latest release, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is enjoying immense commercial and critical success. Tom Holland's fourth solo outing has broken several box office records, as Destin Daniel Cretton kicks off a potential new trilogy for the wall-crawler. Aside from Peter Parker's story, Spider-Man: Brand New Day officially debuts Jean Grey in the MCU. Played by Sadie Sink, the film is able to impressively establish her origins amid an already busy movie. Between her tragic origins and powers, it's diffcult not to draw parallels between Jean and Wanda.
For starters, losing a sibling is the crux of the pair's origins story in the MCU. Wanda lost Pietro during the conflict in Sokovia, while Jean lost Sarah after she was abducted and tortured by DODC's William "Bill" Metzger. While Peter helps Jean come to terms with the loss, it's safe to say that the tragedy will continue to factor into her narrative moving forward. Secondly, the pair has similar capabilities, particulalry in terms of mind control. Interestingly, Spider-Man: Brand New Day uses Jean's powers mostly to terrorize Peter, but it's also how they connect with each other in the end. Wanda famously took over the minds of the original Avengers in Avengers: age of Ultron, bar Hawkeye, with their visions becoming extremely important for their respective arcs moving forward.
Obviously, the characters also have their differences. However, when it comes to the way that Marvel Studios can utilize them, Kevin Feige and his team can use Jean Grey as the conduit for Wanda moving forward thanks to their similarities. This doesn't mean that the MCU doesn't need Olsen's Scarlet Witch anymore, because that is far from the truth, but it gives the franchise options.
Scarlet Witch Is MCU's Biggest Wasted Opportunity Post-Endgame
On the heels of Avengers: Endgame and the Infinity Saga in general, the MCU was at the top of the world. It ended an 11-year run in the best way possible and was about to start a new era. Opening the Multiverse Saga with the groundbreaking WandaVision was arguably one of the best decisions Feige has done in the last decade. It was bold and different, and most importantly, it gave Olsen and Scarlet Witch their due.
She appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which moved her character forward, but since then, it has remained stagnant. Granted that she's supposedly dead, shelving the character for this long has been detrimental to the MCU, as she could have easily been the face of the Multiverse Saga, alongside Doctor Strange and Loki.
After playing a supporting role in the Infinity Saga, people were already invested in Wanda's story, especially after the events of WandaVision. Marvel Studios could have extended her villain path for a while longer, even pitting her against Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers 5. After that, she can start her redemption arc. It's a multi-year and multi-project arc that would have solidified her place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, that was not what happened.
Movie(s)
Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far from Home, Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, The Marvels, Deadpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Avengers: Doomsday, Werewolf by Night, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, The Punisher: One Last Kill
TV Show(s)
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Inhumans, WandaVision, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki, What If...?, Hawkeye, Moon Knight, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Secret Invasion, Agatha All Along, Ironheart, Daredevil: Born Again, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Wonder Man, Echo, Marvel Zombies, Eyes of Wakanda
First Film
Iron Man
First TV Show
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a long-running multimedia franchise drawn from the heroes, villains, and narratives of Marvel Comics. The MCU formally began with 2008's Iron Man, with other successes forming the basis for the contemporary path from comic page to screen, including over 30 films and 20 TV shows.
Marvel Studios (via MovieStillsDb)
English (US) ·