Before the final episode of WandaVision even aired, it was confirmed that Wanda would be making an appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. But, judging by the multiple trailers and official posters, it seems like the Scarlet Witch will be playing an integral role in it. She was last seen creating, and later destroying, a fictional world in WandaVision to deal with the loss of her family. The series left her living in a remote cabin, far away from civilization, and this is where Doctor Strange seems to find her. But, it remains to be seen how much of a connection the film has with Marvel’s first television series.
RELATED: New Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Clip Shows An Epic Battle Against Gargantos
When WandaVision first premiered on Disney Plus, it set a new path for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Wanda has been a part of multiple films in the MCU thus far, but she had never featured in a standalone project before WandaVision. The series allowed fans to connect with her character at a more personal level, and understand her side of the story after Avengers: Endgame. The series picked up after Thanos kills Vision, and allowed fans to witness Wanda’s grief.
When the series’ first episode aired, in the form of a black and white sitcom, Marvel fans were confused as to what the show was trying to achieve. However, as the story unfolded, it became evident that the world that fans were watching was not real. The series handled loss, grief, and mental health better than any other MCU project had done so far. To see Wanda create a life that she so badly wanted to live was heartbreaking, yet relatable at the same time.
As part of WandaVision, fans got to see Wanda’s twins Billy and Tommy brought to life. In the Marvel Comics, Wanda uses her powers to create the twins, and she uses slivers of Mephisto’s soul to do so. They eventually cease to exist. But, in the Disney Plus series, fans saw Wanda, in her Scarlet Witch avatar, reading through the Book of the Damned, or Darkhold as the comics refer to it. She hears her twins calling out to her, from what could potentially be the Multiverse. Since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness explores that aspect of the MCU in detail, it only seems logical to connect the two Marvel projects.
WandaVision received rave reviews from both fans and critics, and was definitely a success in Marvel Studios’ books. It is therefore not surprising that the studio wants to continue writing Wanda’s story, and make her a part of the bigger picture. In the first Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer, fans see Doctor Strange finding her in the isolated wilderness. So, it seems like the story will pick up where WandaVision ended and form a direct connection between both projects.
With Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Marvel Studios has the responsibility to answer all fan questions about the concept thus far. An obvious connection with WandaVision has already been established with Wanda being a part of the film. In addition, her twins Billy and Tommy have also made an appearance in one of the trailers for the film. Fans have also seen glimpses of her Westview home, and one of the avatars that have been promoted in the trailers and final poster of the film is the one fans saw in the Disney Plus series.
WandaVision itself created a connection with the upcoming film, too. In the post-credits scene, when the Scarlet Witch is reading through the Darkhold, while mastering Strange’s astral projection, Michael Giacchino’s Doctor Strange theme plays in the background. Additionally, Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness states at one point that the Scarlet Witch’s “power exceeds that of the Sorcerer Supreme.” Granted Doctor Strange doesn’t hold that title anymore, the reference is obviously connected to him. It doesn’t seem like a coincidence to include all this detail, and then leave out an explanation as to why the projects are connected.
The Multiverse is something that has been mentioned and explored in various MCU projects as part of Phase 4. While it was not directly referenced in Marvel’s first television series, when Loki premiered on Disney Plus, the post-credits scene in WandaVision suddenly made more sense. As the stories unravel, fans are learning more about the Multiverse, and how it affects the heroes that they have come to love over the past decade.
What remains to be seen, however, is whether Wanda will end up being the ally that Doctor Strange needs to deal with the madness, or if she will be the cause of it all instead. Considering she is on a mission to find her twins, and ready to go to any lengths to do so, it seems possible that she will at some point become an enemy. Harkness did say in WandaVision that the Scarlet Witch’s powers are capable of destroying the world. As one of the most powerful characters in the MCU, will Wanda be able to continue using those powers for good in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Fans will find out pretty soon.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres in theaters on May 6, 2022.
More: Final Doctor Strange 2 Poster Showcases Multiple Scarlet Witch Variants
