In a previous interview, Elizabeth Olsen described Scarlet Witch as the "wildcard" of Captain America: Civil War, but the character is facing much larger issues. After introducing the character in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the film finished with Wanda Maximoff without home and country — her brother Pietro was a casualty of war and Sokovia was demolished. Audiences saw her in the aftermath joining up with Vision, War Machine, and Falcon as a member of the new Avengers. As Olsen put it, she’s developed a "surrogate family" with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
While on the set of the upcoming Captain America: Civil War, strapped in a corset (which she said is there to only give her a waist), Olsen explained the transition further.
I think a lot of that has to do with what Jeremy’s character – like his attitude towards her, and the speech he gives her at the end of Age of Ultron. So we pick up with her having started a new life, but still trying to figure out what her abilities are and if using them causes greater good or greater damage.
That last bit is key, with Scarlet Witch still trying to decide how to best use her powers. She referred to the brief reality check she got from Hawkeye during the final battle against Ultron. "If you walk out that door, you’re an Avenger," he said, after explaining how this seemingly ridiculous moment is his job, nonetheless. If anything, the actors confirm the relationship between Clint Barton and Wanda has strengthened after Pietro sacrificed himself to save Hawkeye and a Sokovian child.
"I do think in this film we try to tie together that their relationship has gotten stronger," Olsen said, "that their friendship has gotten stronger from the last film, sure." As a member of the new Avengers, she continued, the character shares a lot of scenes, both in conversation and action, with her teammates. "I think her relationships with people become really clear, and I think they all make tons of sense in line with Ultron as well."
While the film may begin with Hawkeye at home with his family and Scarlet Witch out in the field as an Avenger, the two will be forced to choose sides as Captain America and Iron Man face off against each other.
After another international incident involving the superheroes, the Sokovia Accords are passed to enforce harsher restrictions on superhuman activity. Steve Rogers, increasingly wary of government control, is against the action, while Tony Stark is all for it. As the two face off, Hawkeye and Scarlet Witch join Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) on Team Cap.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Captain America: Civil War will hit theaters on May 6.
