The appearance of the Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness helps prevent the MCU from repeating a particularly brutal event from Marvel Comics. In Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda Maximoff suffers a mental breakdown following the events of WandaVision. Ultimately, this is caused by a combination of the corrupting influence of the Darkhold and her overwhelming desire to regain her twin sons, Billy and Tommy. The consequence of this is that after recognizing her terrible error, Wanda uses her powers to bring down Mount Wundagore, seemingly sacrificing herself to destroy all copies of the Darkhold in the multiverse.

WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness echo some events from Marvel Comics’ "Avengers Disassembled" storyline. There, Wanda Maximoff’s mentor, Agatha Harkness, erases her memories of Tommy and Billy so that she won’t remember that they no longer exist. The triggering of Wanda’s suppressed memories of her children leads to her losing her sanity. More than this, her subsequent actions directly cause the death of Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man, resulting in his daughter, Cassie, becoming a superhero. Obviously, WandaVision isn’t a direct adaptation of the comics, yet it is close enough given that it still provokes Wanda to have a full-scale breakdown. As a result, it may be that the Scarlet Witch's death at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, whether temporary or not, prevents the death of the MCU’s Ant-Man.

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Why Ant-Man Would Have Been A Better Enemy For Wanda Than Doctor Strange

Dr Strange The Multiverse of Madness - Scarlet Witch - Wanda Maximoff

The choice of a sorcerer like Doctor Strange to face the Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness makes sense in terms of the nature of their powers and skills. However, given that Doctor Strange has few personal ties, particularly at the beginning of the movie, he lacks the empathy to be the ideal hero to stand against her. In fact, this may be acknowledged in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. After all, Doctor Strange’s personal arc revolves around him learning to let go, and in the end, it is America Chavez who finds a way to disarm Wanda because she understands loss in a much more profound way than he does.

Thematically, Scott Lang's Ant-Man might have been a better fit for the Scarlet Witch's appearance in the MCU after WandaVision. For Wanda to oppose someone who was so defined by their love for their child would have provided a fascinating counterpoint. More than this, it would have made for a potentially stronger, more affecting story since it could have highlighted the emotional themes and tragedy at the heart of Wanda’s villainous descent.

Why Ant-Man Could Still Die In Phase 5

Scott, Cassie, and Hope in Ant-Man and the Wasp - Quantumania

The forthcoming appearance of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania implies that Scott Lang’s safety is far from guaranteed. Kang is a hugely powerful villain in the comics, and he is set to play a huge part in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Additionally, the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer shown at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con appears to tease the possibility that Kang may actually kill Scott Lang in the movie.

In addition, recent appearances by Kate Bishop, America Chavez, and Ms. Marvel in MCU Phase 4 appear to hint at the creation of another famed group from Marvel Comics: the Young Avengers. Cassie Lang’s prominent role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania may also be a hint, as the character often has a major role in the Young Avengers comics. The obvious precedent for this is in the events of the "Avengers Disassembled" storyline, where the tragic death of her father causes her to embrace the superhero life. Of course, this doesn’t mean that the MCU will necessarily follow the example of the comics. Nevertheless, it is possible that while the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness avoided a brutal end for Scott Lang's Ant-Man there is no guarantee that he will remain safe in MCU Phase 5.

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