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The Rising Importance of Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff
Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda Maximoff, also known as Scarlet Witch, has cemented her as a crucial character in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), primarily due to her outstanding performance in the highly acclaimed series, WandaVision. This will directly tie into her co-leading role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, a movie that marks her return to the big screen within the MCU since the epic conclusion of Avengers: Endgame in 2019.
Olsen’s Role in Avengers: Endgame and WandaVision
In Avengers: Endgame, Olsen’s role as Wanda Maximoff was not extensive. She joined Doctor Strange and others in being eradicated by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and later regrouped with the Avengers in the final battle against Thanos. Despite her limited screen time, Olsen’s character had a significant impact in the third act of the second-highest-grossing film in the history of cinema. Her one-on-one battle against Thanos, in which she came remarkably close to triumph, showcased her immense power. This moment was referenced in WandaVision, highlighting the true extent of her abilities.
Unveiling Olsen’s Worries about Avengers: Endgame
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Elizabeth Olsen discussed the world premiere of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Surprisingly, Olsen revealed that she chose not to watch the film at its premiere. This decision stems from a realization she had while watching Avengers: Endgame – the fear that it would be Marvel’s first failure. She shared her perspective, saying, “I just watch it, and I look around me, and I’m like, ‘Well, it’s our first flop,’ like, every time. I just think, ‘It’s our first flop…'” Even with Fallon reminding her of Endgame’s monumental success, Olsen’s concerns persisted, causing her to continue her tradition of not watching her own work, including Doctor Strange 2.
The Pressure of Success in the Marvel Universe
It is not uncommon for actors to avoid watching their own performances, especially during high-profile premieres. For Olsen, the experience of Avengers: Endgame was undoubtedly nerve-wracking. The film marked the culmination of 11 years of storytelling and closed the first major chapter of the immensely successful Marvel movie series. Although Olsen only appeared in the final scene of Avengers: Endgame, her previous portrayals of Scarlet Witch in three earlier films played a vital role in the overarching narrative that led to Marvel’s fourth Avengers team-up movie.
Overcoming Worries and Achieving Success
Olsen’s fears were ultimately allayed when Avengers: Endgame shattered box office records and garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews and reactions. For a brief period, it held the title of the highest-grossing movie in history (before being surpassed by an Avatar rerelease). Now, as Olsen awaits the reception of her latest work in Doctor Strange 2, where Scarlet Witch’s powers flourish like never before, early previews have already generated rave reviews. With fans eagerly anticipating Wanda Maximoff’s expanded role in the MCU, it’s highly likely that Marvel will once again dominate the box office.
Avengers: Endgame is now available for streaming on Disney+, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will hit theaters on May 6.
