Marvel Studios has subtly reignited discussions surrounding Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, having confirmed her return nearly three years after her apparent demise in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, the future is less clear as the actress shares a disappointing update.
First introduced in a post-credits scene for Captain America: The Winter Soldier(2014), Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff made her full-fledged debut in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).
Over the years, she evolved from a supporting player to one of the MCU’s most compelling figures, culminating in her starring role in WandaVision(2021) alongside Paul Bettany’s Vision. The Disney+ series remains one of the franchise’s most critically praised streaming entries.
However, Wanda’s journey took a dark turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she became the film’s primary antagonist. Obsessed with gaining America Chavez’s (Xochitl Gomez) Multiverse-hopping powers, Wanda waged war against Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) but ultimately sacrificed herself to destroy the Darkhold, seemingly meeting her end.
Despite her presumed demise, speculation about Wanda’s fate has persisted. In 2024, rumors swirled about a potential Scarlet Witch solo film for 2026. Later that year, Agatha All Along—the WandaVisionspinoff—hinted that Wanda’s son, Billy Maximoff, was still alive and referred to Wanda as “gone,” though without confirming her death.
Late last year, Marvel delivered a surprising twist—but not in the way fans may have expected. In mid-December 2024, the “TVA” comic series debuted, featuring a roster of familiar faces.
Penned by Loki Season 2 writer Katharyn Blair and illustrated by Pere Pérez (“Carnage,” “Spider-Woman”), the five-part “TVA” series dives deeper into the organization last seen in Deadpool & Wolverine(2024). The third issue, which recently hit shelves, stunned readers with an unexpected appearance—Scarlet Witch herself.
Initially, fans questioned whether this was the same Wanda Maximoff portrayed by Olsen in the MCU. However, Marvel Comics artist Pere Pérez confirmed that the character’s likeness and costume were directly based on Olsen’s portrayal, cementing that this was indeed the fallen Avenger–something he later retracted.
The reveal sparked fresh speculation about her live-action return, potentially aligning with Avengers: Doomsdayin 2026.
However, while many may have expected the beloved superhero turned villain to appear in the upcoming Avengers two-parter–Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) will follow Doomsday–Elizabeth Olsen has shared a disappointing update that will leave fans frustrated about the outcome of the Scarlet Witch.
Talking to The Hollywood Reporter about her recent project, The Assessment, Olsen confirmed she would not be staying in the United Kingdom to film the Avengers movies. Doomsday and Secret Wars will be filmed back-to-back in the UK this April.
When asked if the Russo Brothers (Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the forthcoming Avengers movies) would be extending her stay across the pond, Olsen said: “No, I’m back [in the States]. I just finished [Panic Carefully]. I’m moving on to filming a pilot for FX [called Seven Sisters].”
In the same interview, the WandaVision star explained her reasoning for searching out projects outside of the superhero-blockbuster sphere.
“I didn’t realize this until about six years ago, but because Marvel and its influence takes up so much physical time and space in the world, it’s really important for me to make choices outside of Marvel that reflect my own taste,” Olsen told THR.
“Your taste does create the artist that you are, and that wasn’t something I was thinking about when I first started working. So the opportunity to return to films like [The Assessment] is a reflection of the people I want to work with and my own personal taste.”
Before then, Olsen’s Scarlet Witch will officially return in animated form. Marvel Zombies, set for release on October 3, 2025, will bring Wanda back as part of its TV-MA-rated four-episode run. A spinoff of What If…?, the series will be helmed by Bryan Andrews, the director of the original animated anthology, expanding upon the zombie-infested alternate timeline introduced in Season 1.
Up until late 2023, Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel was the only confirmed cast member. However, Marvel recently unveiled a star-studded ensemble joining Olsen, including Awkwafina (Katy), David Harbour (Red Guardian), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi), Randall Park (Jimmy Woo), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Hailee Steinfeld (Hawkeye), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), and Todd Williams in an undisclosed role.
Marvel Zombies is just one of several additions to the MCU’s growing Disney+ slate in 2025. The series will launch alongside Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Daredevil: Born Again (which is currently airing weekly on Disney+), Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, and Wonder Man, which will be a Marvel Spotlight project.
Meanwhile, the theatrical side of the MCU will feature Captain America: Brave New World, which closed out its theatrical run with $400 million globally, Thunderbolts*, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the latter officially kicking off Phase Six in July.
How do you feel about Scarlet Witch’s absence in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments!
