WandaVision showrunner Jac Schaeffer has explained why Mephisto was never planned to be the show’s ultimate big bad. Popular theories surrounding the Marvel Devil and his possible connection to Agatha, Wanda, and Westview got a lot of traction, with many eagle-eyed viewers pointing out subtle references to demons and the Devil popping up frequently throughout WandaVision's first six episodes. Mephisto is one of the most powerful demons in the Marvel comics, playing a small but significant role in the 1985 comic book series The Vision and The Scarlet Witch – a key influence for WandaVision. Needless to say, many viewers were excepting him to make a surprise appearance at some point in the Marvel/Disney+ series.

However, episode 7 of WandaVision, “Breaking The Fourth Wall,” revealed in the catchiest way possible that the show’s real villain was in fact powerful witch Agatha Harkness, who had been masquerading as friendly neighbor Agnes in order to get close to Wanda. Agatha is also a major figure in Wanda’s life in the comics, playing a crucial role in helping Wanda to create her and Vision’s children. With Agatha pulling the strings, it became clear pretty quickly that WandaVision didn’t need another villain, with many dismissing all those devilish Easter eggs as just another one of the show’s many red herrings.

Related: Agatha's Origin Story Explains Why Mephisto Isn't WandaVision's Real Villain

Now, Schaeffer has explained why Mephisto wasn’t chosen to be WandaVision’s big bad. In an interview with Deadline, the showrunner stated the writing team didn’t think the series needed a major villain, asserting that the real big bad of WandaVision is “grief," and Agatha acts as a “bonus baddie” who helps along Wanda's growth. Read the full quote below:

We didn’t think this series needed a big bad. I mean, the big bad is grief, you know, and that’s the story that we were telling, and then we got a bonus baddie in the form of Agatha Harkness who ended up facilitating Wanda’s therapy, so yeah, I think we feel pretty good about that.

Wanda and Vision sitting on her bed and talking about grief in WandaVision

It’s fair to say Schaeffer made the right call holding off on Mephisto’s Marvel Cinematic Universe debut, for now at least.  Kathryn Hahn garnered well-deserved praise for her sharp and compelling performance as WandaVision’s main antagonist. Further, the lack of a big bad allowed the show to explore Wanda’s grief in a poignant and powerful way that has both intrigued and moved millions of people. WandaVision works brilliantly as a self-contained story that doesn’t solely concern itself with setting up the future of the MCU – though it does that pretty well, too.

Compared to the sometimes overwhelmingly huge scale of MCU projects like Avengers: Infinity War (where Wanda and Vision were last seen together), WandaVision’s precise focus on Wanda and Vision’s relationship has been refreshing and exciting. A surprise Mephisto reveal would have certainly distracted from the show as an origin story for the Scarlet Witch, so even if the devil has been left in the details for now, it’s probably for the best.

Next: Every Way WandaVision Sets Up The MCU's Phase 4 Future

Source: Deadline

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