by Director Matt Shakman thought about Wanda Maximoff‘s decision to succumb to the evil side in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness after furthering her hero’s journey in WandaVision.
After losing her twin sons Billy and Tommy at the finale of WandaVision, the Scarlet Witch shockingly turned villainous in Doctor Strange 2, delving into the teachings of the Darkhold to try to find a way to be with them. And despite her attempts to change while destroying Mount Wundagore, she wrought havoc throughout several parallel realities, eliminating many strong individuals in her path.
Shortly after the film’s release, Doctor Strange 2 writer Michael Waldron addressed this surprise turn, noting that he thought it was merited once she acquired the Darkhold and understood the hypocrisy of her actions in comparison to the sequel’s protagonists.
After directing Wanda’s first MCU solo production, the Phase 4 Disney+ series’ director has since offered his own opinions on the subject.
Wanda’s Wicked Path is Addressed by Matt Shakman
Matt Shakman, the director of WandaVision, reflected on Wanda Maximoff’s transformation into the antagonist of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in an interview with ComicBook.com.
regarding the graphics for the film, in particular with the Darkhold and Elizabeth Olsen’s outfit, with director Sam Raimi. The actor only stated that he was proud of Olsen for all the work she did with him on the Disney+ show, adding that he was “informed of…the discourse” over Wanda’s character change:
“I talked a lot to Michael Waldron and I talked to Sam Raimi and we also shared lots of the art department as we were creating the Darkhold and her costume and other things that would continue on, so there was a lot of synergy on it. I’m aware of, certainly, the conversation on the internet about Wanda and her character. I’m so proud of everything we did on ‘WandaVision.’ That show is really special, working with Lizzie, and telling that story was so unique and fun.”
Additionally, he considered how the MCU as a whole would function if each project had a different director, especially when he transitions from WandaVision to the Fantastic Four remake in 2025. By working hard during their own time with Marvel before handing the duty to others, Shakman made it apparent that the MCU’s creatives “had to pass the baton”:
“When you’re in this universe, you have to pass the baton. That’s part of the joy of being in the MCU, you run as hard and as fast as you can when it’s your section of the race and then you pass the baton and it’s on to others to tell that story. I think they made decisions they needed to make to make that story work and I thought it was a super entertaining movie.”
The director of WandaVision backs Olsen’s efforts.
Matt Shakman chose to focus on his joy in bringing Marvel Studios’ first Disney+ project to television, even though he is well aware of the arguments surrounding Wanda’s transformation from hero to villain. Even though her subsequent appearance in Doctor Strange 2 had her travelling down her darkest path yet in the face of Benedict Cumberbatch’s master magician, he notably mentioned Olsen’s portrayal of the Scarlet Witch on this programme, when she completely developed into her superhero character.
Most fans are sure that Wanda Maximoff found a method to survive the catastrophe and went into hiding in an unidentified location, despite the fact that Olsen’s most recent appearance ended with her appearing to die at Mount Wundagore. It’s unclear when she will return to the game, but when that time comes, hopefully she’ll rejoin the heroes’ team.
Disney+ now offers streaming for WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
