The death of Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and her absence afterward threatens the stability of the MCU’s multiverse. Since her introduction years ago as a pseudo-antagonist turned Avenger in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff has steadily become one of the most popular characters in the MCU. As her MCU journey progressed, her role evolved and her incredible powers grew to the point where she almost defeated Thanos on her own in Avengers: Endgame. Therefore, it was exciting when she finally got her own project, WandaVision.

While she was actually quite villainous in WandaVision - imprisoning innocent people in a waking dream - it was still a tough pill to swallow to see her go full-blown villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In dealing with the Darkhold, Scarlet Witch may have unleashed a new villain who can wreak more havoc even though she eventually broke free from the cursed book's dark influence and realized the horrors she had wrought. It’s interesting to consider what Scarlet Witch’s future will look like in the MCU because there is still so much of her story waiting to be told, whether in the Multiverse Saga or beyond.

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Wanda's “Death” May Not Be What It Seems

Elizabeth Olsen raising her arms up as she performs magic as Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

When she realized the errors of her ways, Wanda decided to do what she could, and so sacrificed herself by destroying Mount Wundagore. She forced the hallowed mountain on which the Darkhold was created to crumble around her. That’s her presumed death, but it may not be so simple. There are ample reasons why Scarlet Witch might not be dead, ranging from the classic “no body” norm to her general importance to the franchise as a whole. Aptly, to the former, if a fantasy and science fiction story doesn't show a dead body after a character is "killed," then it doesn't always mean that they're actually dead.

Another interesting element about Scarlet Witch’s demise suggests things aren’t as they seem. As Mount Wundagore came crashing down, a mysterious burst of red energy flashed. That could’ve signaled her power exploding out of her upon her death, but in tandem with there being no body shown, theories suggest she was instead transported away. Opinions differ if she did so herself or if someone else saved her. Intriguingly, Scarlet Witch’s “death” is all the more complex as it relates to Kang’s death in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania - just one of the many things connecting the two characters. Red energy also surrounded him as his multiversal engine absorbed him.

Scarlet Witch Is Too Important As A Nexus Being Not To Return

wanda maximoff aka the scarlet witch with jonathan majors as kang the conqueror

Whether she is truly dead or not, one thing is certain - Scarlet Witch is far too important to remain off the table. She was so powerful it seemed like the MCU didn’t know what to do with her. As she could take down Thanos, Kang is not really all that different. Nevertheless, there’s one reason above all why her return is guaranteed. She is a nexus being, a person with extraordinary power who acts as the focal point for their universe, anchoring it to the multiverse. Significantly, she is not the only one. Kang is also a nexus being, which makes their similar fates even more complex and intriguing.

Wanda being a nexus being essentially marks her as one of the most important characters in the Multiverse Saga. It’s also important to consider the legend of the Scarlet Witch as well. It’s not just a codename like Captain America or Doctor Strange, but a title bestowed on the legendary sorceress whose chaos magic can sway reality. It was predestined that the Scarlet Witch will destroy the multiverse, which perfectly establishes the necessity for Wanda to return.

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Scarlet Witch's Return & Redemption Is Necessary For The MCU As A Whole

elizabeth olsen as wanda maximoff aka the scarlet witch in doctor strange in the multiverse of madness

Beyond her foundational connection to the multiverse, many MCU fans are demanding Scarlet Witch return because they feel that she deserves better. While she has extensive history as a villain and anti-hero in comics since her introduction in 1964, many found her arc in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness unsatisfactory. She deserves to return to correct her mistakes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Elizabeth Olson wants redemption for Scarlet Witch, explicitly teasing her fated return. She brought up a great point, stating, “We can do anything with her now!” Scarlet Witch could play an essential role in the longevity of the MCU as a whole. She’s connected to the X-Men and Young Avengers, two teams the MCU is primed to explore deeply in the next saga.

The Multiverse Makes It Complicated To Bring Scarlet Witch Back From The Dead

Elizabeth Olsen as the Scarlet Witch for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Scarlet Witch’s return may seem easy to accomplish given the state of the MCU. Kang’s death allowed for the introduction of the Council of Kangs, who are the presumptive villains going forward to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and so Scarlet Witch’s death could mean another Wanda just comes into play. However, in this context, she is different from Kang, and how the MCU chooses to approach her “death” will have complicated implications for the franchise. The multiverse makes it seem like anything and everything is possible, and that is technically true, but it can’t be treated as such narratively. Bringing a character back from the dead is a complex situation.

Death is rarely permanent in the comics, but in this medium and form of storytelling, it must be. Iron Man and Black Widow’s Avengers: Endgame deaths had and continue to have meaning because they’re undeniable and permanent. If the MCU decides to officially resurrect her as opposed to say claiming she was transported or transformed upon Mount Wundagore’s destruction, that would open doors to something the MCU might not want to deal with. It would naturally lead to expectations that other deaths are not permanent, and both Iron Man and Black Widow earned their rest.

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How & When May Scarlet Witch Return?

Scarlet Witch amidst chaos magic and the Sacred Timeline

Fans are fully expecting Scarlet Witch to return sometime down the line, and while it’s only been a year since Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, patience will eventually wane. Fortunately, there are various options to examine. At the very least, she’ll be back for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. Intriguing theories explore what her role could look like given her nexus being status and importance to the multiverse. Aptly, Scarlet Witch’s theorized return in Avengers: Secret Wars could see her fulfilling Molecule Man’s role in 2015’s Secret Wars comics storyline. That would draw on her prophesied multiversal connection, incredible powers, and necessity for redemption.

Looking forward there may be a more immediate and likely possibility. The project with suspicions surrounding it is Agatha: Coven of Chaos. Many believe it will center on Agatha seeking new power after she is freed from her prison in Westview upon Wanda’s demise. That could lead her to all sorts of supernatural heroes or villains, but in particular, it could entail sending her down the path to bring back Scarlet Witch. Whatever the case, fans can hope that Scarlet Witch will be on the big screen again.

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