Elizabeth Olsen Says Marvel Screwed Up Her Character Because Writers Didn’t Watch WandaVision

Elizabeth Olsen explains the Doctor Strange sequel writers had not seen WandaVision before writing the movie.

By Chad Langen | Updated

wandavision Elizabeth Olsen

During the production of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Elizabeth Olsen had an eye-opening realization concerning her character, Wanda Maximoff. According to The Direct, the 34-year-old actress discovered that Wanda’s arc in the Sam Raimi-directed film was strikingly similar to her arc in the acclaimed Disney+ series, WandaVision. This uncanny resemblance, attributed to screenwriter Michael Waldron’s failure to watch the series, left some fans disappointed, especially considering the redemptive journey Olsen’s character embarked upon in WandaVision.

While speaking with Vanity Fair, Elizabeth Olsen shared a blunt question she posed to the writers on the set of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: “Have you seen it?” She then expressed that “they had not seen it because it wasn’t finished yet.” In other words, somebody forgot to do their homework.

Thankfully, Elizabeth Olsen possesses a remarkable level of talent as an actress. After realizing that “it’s a similar arc in Multiverse of Madness that it is in WandaVision,” Olsen said she did her best to “come at it from a different point of view so that it wasn’t repetitive.” While some fans appreciated her efforts, others within the Marvel fandom were left with a lingering sentiment that Wanda’s swift descent back into villainy felt too abrupt, especially considering the events that transpired in WandaVision.

With her impressive involvement in six MCU movies and one television show, Elizabeth Olsen undoubtedly possesses a deep understanding of the challenges involved in keeping track of the intricate details within the vast Marvel Cinematic Universe. The expansive nature of the universe, filled with interconnected storylines and characters, presents a formidable task for even the most seasoned filmmakers. Olsen’s extensive experience within the franchise certainly gives her a unique perspective on the complexities of navigating the ever-expanding Marvel universe, which ordinary fans may find challenging to fully comprehend.

scarlet witch elizabeth olsen wandavision

Despite criticism regarding the similarity between Wanda Maximoff’s arc in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and her arc in WandaVision, the sequel achieved a remarkable global box office gross of nearly $1 billion. Additionally, the film has garnered a 75 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from 450 critics. Although it may not boast the highest rating among Marvel films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness surpasses the currently less favorable rating of 47 percent that Eternals holds.

In the film, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) joins forces with an enigmatic teenage girl (Xochitl Gomez), who manifests in his dreams and possesses the ability to traverse multiverses. Together, they confront a series of menacing adversaries, including an alternate version of Doctor Strange himself, whose destructive agenda poses a grave danger to countless lives throughout the multiverse. Seeking assistance from allies such as Wanda/Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Wong (Benedict Wong), and other formidable characters, they embark on a perilous mission to combat the imminent threat and safeguard the existence of myriad realities.

Elizabeth Olsen is currently taking a break from her superhero endeavors and is shifting gears to concentrate on her new HBO Max series Love & Death. Created by David E. Kelley, the series revolves around the lives of two churchgoing couples residing in a tranquil Texas town, relishing the joys of small-town family existence. However, their idyllic world takes a chilling turn when an axe falls into the wrong hands, unraveling a tale of intrigue and suspense.