‘WandaVision’ Director Finally Answers: Is Scarlet Witch Really Gone From the MCU?

Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch has been a big part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially in the recent Multiverse Saga.

After a smaller role in the earlier Infinity Saga, Wanda Maximoff became much more important, especially with her lead role in the hit Disney+ show WandaVision. That show made her one of the most popular characters in the MCU.

But things changed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wanda’s story took a darker turn, as she became a villain hunting her sons across different realities. The movie ended with Wanda sacrificing herself to destroy the dangerous Darkholds, which made many fans wonder if she was really gone for good.

Matt Shakman, who directed all of WandaVision’s episodes and now works on The Fantastic Four: First Steps, talked to ScreenRant about Wanda’s future. When asked if Scarlet Witch is truly gone, Shakman didn’t give away any Marvel plans but did tease, “Wanda’s never gone.”

Shakman also shared how much he enjoyed working on both WandaVision and Fantastic Four. He explained how both projects involved a lot of careful planning and world-building. For WandaVision, they studied old sitcoms and even consulted an expert on laugh tracks to get the style just right.

For Fantastic Four, they researched places like the World’s Fair and watched old 1960s movies to make the look and feel authentic. He said, “Both of them were stylistic and tonal experiments, which I love doing as a filmmaker.”

A few months ago, Marvel’s head Kevin Feige also hinted at Wanda’s return, saying, “We’re excited to find out when and how the Scarlet Witch might return.” But Elizabeth Olsen’s recent interviews suggest she’s busy with other projects for now.

When asked if she would stay in London to film the next Avengers movies, 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].” This likely means Scarlet Witch won’t appear in the Avengers films scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

Olsen first appeared as Wanda in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and has been in six MCU films so far, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where her character seemed to die. Besides live-action, Olsen has also voiced Wanda in the animated show What If…? and is expected to return for Marvel Zombies in 2025.

Right now, Olsen is focusing on non-Marvel projects. Whether this means Wanda is on pause or just waiting for the perfect moment to come back isn’t clear yet. Marvel Studios hasn’t said anything new, and Olsen’s team hasn’t made any announcements either. Fans will have to wait and see what happens next with one of the MCU’s most powerful and beloved characters.

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