Marvel’s Elizabeth Olsen Explains Why She Doesn’t Miss Playing Wanda

The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to be wildly popular, thanks to content on the big screen as well as streaming shows for those with a Disney+ subscription. Actress Elizabeth Olsen has worked in both mediums, resulting in Scarlet Witch becoming a fan favorite character. She filmed WandaVision and Doctor Strange 2 in quick succession, before finally getting a break from her signature character. And Olsen recently explained why she doesn’t currently miss playing Wanda Maximoff. 

It’s almost hard to believe, but Olsen has been playing Wanda for nearly a decade. She debuted during Avengers: Age of Ultron, which began photography back in 2014. She became a larger character in recent years, especially thanks to the wildly popular TV show WandaVision. The Ingrid Goes West actress recently spoke to White Lotus’ Meghann Fahy for Variety’s Actors on Actors series, where she was asked if she missed Wanda at all. But Olsen responded honestly, saying:

No, I don't. I think it's been almost 10 years of playing her. And I've loved it. And I think the reason why l am not calling Kevin Feige everyday with ideas is because I'm really proud of what we were able to do. I think WandaVision was a really surprising opportunity. If someone were to tell me that I'm fired from Marvel movies, I will feel proud of what we made. And I really am just trying to figure out how to load up other films and characters, so it becomes less about the Marvel of it all.

Points were made. While both audiences and Elizabeth Olsen want to see Scarlet Witch’s redemption in the MCU sometime down the line, the actress feels accomplished with what she’s already managed to achieve with Wanda. And she’s especially proud of WandaVision, which was universally acclaimed and nominated for major Emmy categories.

Elizabeth Olsen’s Marvel comments come as she’s been celebrating the release of her HBO series Love & Death. But conversations about her career all eventually turn to the MCU, and her years as Wanda Maximoff/The Scarlet Witch. And she seems to have a great perspective about her career as an Avenger, and would feel fulfilled if she found out that she was fired today. But given just how popular she is, I highly doubt that’s what Marvel Studios is planning.

Wanda’s future definitely feels up in the air, especially after the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multivers of Madness. After serving as the movie’s villain and killing a number of characters including the Illuminati, she eventually destroyed The Darkhold Castle with herself inside of it. But fans didn’t buy that such a powerful being actually died in this way.

Unfortunately, there’s been no news as to when we might see the Scarlet Witch again. Olsen herself doesn’t know, and admitted she’s not actually contracted for a return. The most obvious title to bring her back seems like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. The title character is expected to be the next Thanos-level threat to the MCU, so the heroes are going to need all the help they can get.

Love & Death is streaming now on Max. The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is The Marvels on November 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Corey Chichizola
Movies Editor

Corey was born and raised in New Jersey. Graduated with degrees theater and literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey. After working in administrative theater for a year in New York, he started as the Weekend Editor at CinemaBlend. He's since been able to work himself up to reviews, phoners, and press junkets-- and is now able to appear on camera with some of his favorite actors... just not as he would have predicted as a kid. He's particularly proud of covering horror franchises like Scream and Halloween, as well as movie musicals like West Side Story. Favorite interviews include Steven Spielberg, Spike Lee, Jamie Lee Curtis, and more.