Vision & The Scarlet Witch Series Can Bring Magneto To The MCU

Marvel's Vision and the Scarlet Witch TV series could potentially introduce Magneto, the Master of Magnetism, into the MCU. Marvel Studios is currently working on a number of limited series that will release exclusively on the upcoming Disney Plus streaming service. One of the most exciting of these shows stars Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch and Paul Bettany as her synthezoid lover, the Vision. The two have essentially been secondary characters in the MCU to date, and this gives them their chance to shine.

The Scarlet Witch is of particular interest to Marvel lovers because, in the comics, she's usually portrayed as a mutant sorceress. With the Disney/Fox acquisition now looking inevitable, there's a lot of speculation that Marvel could retcon Scarlet Witch as a mutant in the MCU as well. The recently-published Marvel Studios Visual Dictionary has supported this, suggesting that the Mind Stone may not be the origin of Wanda's powers at all; instead, it says that the Infinity Stone "unlocked something latent inside Wanda," hinting at the presence of latent mutants in the MCU.

New reports have suggested that the upcoming Disney Plus TV series will be called Vision and the Scarlet Witch. While this may seem like an innocuous enough title, it's actually quite a significant one. Marvel Comics has published two "limited series" with the same title: a four-issue miniseries in 1982, and a twelve-issue series three years later. The first of these, written by Bill Mantlo, is one of the most important stories in the Scarlet Witch's comic book history. Set shortly after her marriage to Vision, it's notable for exploring Wanda's family background. The final issue saw Wanda finally learn the identity of her father - Magneto, the Master of Magnetism.

Scarlet Witch battles Magneto in Marvel Comics.

It's easy to forget that the blood ties between Magneto and Scarlet Witch were always a retcon - one neatly explained in a classic comic. As Vision and the Scarlet Witch #4 revealed, after the Holocaust Magneto had avoided using his powers for years, and was even happily married. Everything changed, though, when his daughter was killed. Magneto lashed out in rage and fury, and his beloved wife Magda fled from him in terror. Although he didn't know it, his wife was pregnant at the time. She gave birth at an exotic comic book location called Mount Wundagore, but died following complications with the birth. Magneto only learned the truth decades later, when he tracked down and interrogated the midwife. Naturally, he then sought out his children - Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver - and revealed the truth to them.

Once the Disney/Fox deal is complete, Marvel Studios will face possibly their greatest challenge to date: how to integrate the X-Men into the MCU. While the Fantastic Four are quite easy to add into their shared universe, the X-Men's mythology is remarkably sophisticated. But, while Marvel doesn't have the film rights to the X-Men just yet, the TV rights are a little more complicated - explaining why Iron Fist season 2 could reference the Fantastic Four's Baxter Building, and had a number of X-Men Easter eggs. That's led to some speculation that Marvel Studios will lay the foundations for the X-Men in these Disney Plus TV shows.

Of course, it's possible that the Vision and the Scarlet Witch title is simply an innocuous nod to the comics. At the same time, though, Marvel will surely be well aware of the significance of that particular title. It's entirely possible the MCU is about to retcon mutants into its history, with this Disney Plus limited series serving as the ideal opportunity to introduce a brand new version of the Master of Magnetism.