WANDAVISION Director Matt Shakman Teases Scarlet Witch’s MCU Future
Marvel fans have been wondering for years: is Scarlet Witch really gone from the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Now, WandaVision director Matt Shakman is weighing in, and his response might give fans hope for Elizabeth Olsen’s return.
Shakman recently spoke with ScreenRant about Wanda Maximoff’s fate following her apparent death in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. While Marvel Studios has kept quiet about what’s next for the character, Shakman dropped a very interesting comment.
When asked if he believes Scarlet Witch is truly dead, Shakman simply said, “Wanda’s never gone.”
That short statement will no doubt fuel speculation that we haven’t seen the last of Wanda Maximoff in the MCU. Olsen’s portrayal of the complex and tragic hero has made her one of the most beloved characters in Marvel’s roster, so a comeback would be a huge deal for fans.
Olsen previously shared what she’s like to see for Scarlet Witch’s future, saying:
"You know, when I think about my dream version [of Wanda], it’s like 50 years later, and I have white hair—such a big, massive white wig—and gnarly face of wrinkles doing like a Tracy Ullman thing. And I am just like a creature that they find. And that’s how I imagine Wanda’s next journey."
Beyond discussing Wanda, Shakman also reflected on how his experience directing WandaVision compares to his current Marvel project, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Both projects, according to him, allowed for creative freedom in tone and style.
“They’re both so joyful. I think of these two as the highlights of my directing career,” Shakman said. “Working on WandaVision was amazing. That world, the cast is incredible. Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Kathryn Hahn, (everybody).
“We had so much fun, and it was very specific, and we had a lot of rehearsal before we started, because I wanted everybody to understand the sitcom realities and tone and style that we were in.”
He went on to explain how that meticulous approach carried over to The Fantastic Four: First Steps:
“It was similar here (The Fantastic Four: First Steps). We had three weeks of rehearsal before we started shooting, because we were building a very specific world.
“We had to build a family that felt lived in, that felt real, and we had to build this ’60s world that had a coherence to it in terms of aesthetics, but also style, tone, and how you approach the movie.
“So, both of them were stylistic and tonal experiments, which I love doing as a filmmaker. (They’re) very different, but [there were] some lessons learned between the two.”
Shakman’s comments are exciting for two reasons: first, it hints that Wanda Maximoff might still have a future in the MCU, and second, it shows how much passion he’s bringing to Marvel’s first family.
Whether or not Scarlet Witch makes her grand return remains a mystery, but Shakman’s words have certainly reignited hope for fans.
Would you want to see Elizabeth Olsen return as Scarlet Witch? And what are your expectations for The Fantastic Four?