Agatha Harkness' MCU Show Is Set Up By Doctor Strange 2

Agatha Harkness' (Kathryn Hahn) upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe spin-off could be set up by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The character originally debuted in Disney+'s WandaVision as Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision's (Paul Bettany) nosy neighbor in Westview, Agnes. Eventually, it was revealed that she was the primary villain of the narrative. She befriended Scarlet Witch as part of her effort to discover how she was able to create the pocket reality where she can live the ideal suburbia life with her android lover. After discovering the origins of the hex, Agatha took Wanda's kids, Billy (Julian Hilliard) and Tommy (Jett Klyne) as hostages, demanding that she gives up her powers in exchange for their safety. In the end, Scarlet Witch's quick thinking saved her and her family by casting runes to defeat the old witch.

Instead of killing Agatha, however, Wanda got creative with her punishment. She cast a spell that brought out the villain's fun-loving but nosy neighbor persona and leaving her in Westview. This version of the character doesn't know her storied past or her ability to wield magic. The MCU is known for its one-off villains. However, when Agatha was spared in WandaVision, it was a clear indication that she still has a future in the franchise. Unlike Wanda who is set to be involved in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there hasn't been any official word as to where else she might pop up moving forward — until now. Marvel Studios is reportedly developing a WandaVision spin-off that focuses on Agatha. Plot details are still scant at the moment, but sources described it as a "dark comedy." The project will be written and executive produced by Jac Schaeffer.

Considering the fan reception to Agatha, coupled with Hahn's great performance, it makes sense that Marvel Studios take advantage of the public's interest and tell more stories about the evil witch. There is still a lot of things to learn about the character, especially given how long she has been in existence. The question now is: where do the events of the potential Agatha Harkness spinoff fit in the MCU's grand storytelling? Given where WandaVision left her off, there's a possibility that Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will partly function as Harkness' story's launching pad.

Scarlet Witch Is The Most Likely Person To Free Agatha Harkness

Wanda and Agatha's final battle in WandaVision was peppered with foreshadowing. One of its most ominous moments was when the older witch claimed that her contemporary will eventually need her. Initially, Agatha simply wanted to get Wanda's powers in exchange for establishing a better and safer Westview for her and Vision. Simply put, the evil sorceress didn't think that the Avenger was deserving of her capabilities, especially since her aspirations of living a rather mundane life with her family seems far too simple compared to what she can do.

However, once it was clear that she's going to be defeated, Agatha changed her game plan. She appealed to Wanda instead, offering to be her mentor and warning her of what she unleashed by officially becoming the Scarlet Witch. It was tempting. After all, Agatha is clearly more knowledgeable and she could help Wanda with maximizing the use of her powers. Wanda was firm in her decision to trap the villain in her Agnes persona. That being said, since Wanda was the one who put Agatha in her psychological prison, she's also likely the person who can free her from it.

Theory: Wanda Frees Agatha In Doctor Strange 2

At the end of WandaVision, Wanda went into a self-imposed exile in an unknown remote place. She seemed finally at peace with being alone, so it was surprising to discover that her astral form was studying the Darkhold simultaneously. Just before the show fully wrapped up, she heard the voices of her twins, Billy and Tommy, calling for help. This cliffhanger will more likely be addressed in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With Wanda's kids seemingly in trouble, it's safe to say that she would go to great lengths to save them. This is where Agatha's promise of knowledge could factor in, as the evil witch reiterated a couple of times that while Wanda has the power, she's lacking in knowledge — something that Harkness has.

Given that, Wanda could begrudgingly forge a partnership with Agatha as part of her efforts to save her twins. That means that she'll need to free the evil witch from her trance, allowing her to re-access her powers so she can help Scarlet Witch reconnect with her Chaos Magic to locate the kids. In exchange for her help, Agatha might ask to be permanently liberated from being trapped as Agnes. In hindsight, Wanda may have always known that she would need Agatha's help in the future. So instead of killing her, she decided to just neutralize her, with the option to reverse her condition easily.

How Doctor Strange 2 Can Setup Agatha Harkness' MCU Future

Doctor strange 2 Agatha Harkness wandavision

Assuming that Wanda eventually frees Agatha Harkness in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, how does she go from there to starring in her own spin-off series? There are a couple of possibilities for this. Firstly, after she's liberated from Wanda's enchantment, the offshoot can simply follow her future endeavors while simultaneously tackling her past through non-linear storytelling. This is the simplest option for Marvel Studios, although giving the villain her own origins story is instrumental in building her character, especially since she is poised to also appear in future Marvel movies and Disney+ shows. Another possibility is the MCU using the offshoot in explaining lingering questions about her from WandaVision. That includes revealing what her actual relationship is with Ralph Bohner (Evan Peters), whose real identity continues to be a mystery. It could pay off persistent rumors that she is somehow connected to Mephisto, too.

As for what's beyond her series potentially launched by Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Agatha Harkness could ultimately be involved in a Dark Avengers or Thunderbolts film. Perhaps Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) recruits her to be part of whatever morally ambiguous team she's assembling. Meanwhile, Marvel Studios might also adapt her role in the comics as the nanny to Franklin Richards, the son of Fantastic Four's Reed and Sue Richards. Finally, a Young Avengers appearance is in the realm of possibility, as well, given her previous interactions with Billy and Tommy.

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