The latest update on the future of the MCU suggests that Marvel Studios is fixing its biggest Scarlet Witch crime in Phase 4. Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff has been in the franchise since 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, but she was never really a focal point of the Infinity Saga's storytelling. Despite mostly functioning as a supporting character to the original Avengers characters, there was always ample interest in the character, especially considering her intriguing arcs in Marvel Comics. With the start of a new chapter of storytelling for the MCU, there has been an expectation that Wanda will finally get her due, especially after she officially becomes Scarlet Witch.
The narrative for Marvel Studios' Phase 4 was kicked off with the character's first co-headlining project in the critically-acclaimed WandaVision. From there, she returned to the big screen by being the villain of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Admittedly, not everyone was a fan of this evil turn for Wanda, who was corrupted by the Darkhold and openly antagonized the Masters of the Mystic Arts in the hopes of reuniting with her kids in the multiverse. The end of the Sam Raimi-directed film, however, left Scarlet Witch's fate up in the air after she seemingly died in the film.
While there's still no official word on Wanda's state, Marvel Studios producer Richie Palmer all but confirmed her survival. As part of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' commentary, the MCU executive teased Scarlet Witch's future in the MCU, calling her a "jewel in the crown" of the franchise's current storytelling. Aside from the fact that this effectively guarantees the character's return to the universe, it also suggests that she will continue to be a key part of the Phase 4 narrative moving forward. For what it's worth, there was little to no doubt that Wanda survived Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as the MCU isn't a strange to fake deaths anyway. However, to say that she will remain a focal point of the universe when she re-emerges is a much-needed reassurance, especially after her divisive villainous turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
In any case, considering what's known about MCU's future, it makes sense that Wanda will continue to be an integral part of it. For starters, Marvel’s burgeoning multiverse will remain an important aspect of the franchise. Considering Scarlet Witch's knowledge of the concept, she could be of help in properly establishing and explaining the multiverse both in and out of the MCU universe alongside Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the Masters of the Mystic Arts. Secondly, WandaVision effectively floats the idea that Wanda could still be a mutant in the MCU. With the impending arrival of the X-Men, that could be further fleshed out, especially if Marvel Studios ultimately ties her to Magneto like in the comics. Finally and arguably most importantly, it's imperative that Scarlet Witch is given her redemption arc. For years, she was something of an unknown entity in the Avengers, and in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she officially became a villain. However, if Loki (Tom Hiddleston) can be a Phase 4 hero, Wanda should be able to redeem herself too.
At this point, it's unclear when Scarlet Witch will return to the MCU. Elizabeth Olsen claims that she doesn't have any idea what lies ahead for Wanda, but she expressed her eagerness to return and continue her character's arc. Lucky for the actress, aside from the guaranteed Scarlet Witch return, there will also be a substantial focus on developing her character moving forward.
