The MCU's first television miniseries, WandaVision, kicked off Marvel's Phase Four with a focus on Wanda Maximoff and a retooling of a classic X-Men tale. For many Marvel fans, one disappointing aspect of the MCU has been the X-Men's absence. While Marvel's "merry mutants" have returned home through the Disney-Fox merger, it will still be a while before they appear in the MCU. However, that doesn't mean some of the X-Men’s greatest stories won’t be utilized and even improved on for the current roster of cinematic heroes.
Such was the case with WandaVision, which expertly recrafted key themes and elements of the famous Dark Phoenix Saga for Wanda (who is essentially the MCU’s own iteration of Jean Grey). The source material was visible, but also uniquely adapted. The writers provided Wanda with a more character-driven and impactful Dark Phoenix story--minus the Phoenix--than Fox ever produced, and it paid off.
The Narrative Was A Surprise
When a sequel to X-Men (2000) was announced, a potential Dark Phoenix narrative became a topic of fan speculation. X2:X-Men United started exploring Jean’s iconic tale and her powers in 2003, which was then poorly adapted in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand. In 2016 and 2019, the franchise again tapped into this narrative.
It seems few X-Men stories are without Phoenix. To that end, Wanda already surprised viewers in that her potential descent into a cosmic force of chaos was unexpected. Fans knew the Mind Stone gifted Wanda her powers. However, no one expected it to also be a Phoenix-like narrative tool, creating a being of great power: the MCU’s answer to Dark Phoenix.
The Story Has Been Earned
Originally entering the MCU as an antagonist, Wanda joined the Avengers in Age of Ultron. Over 5 films, she became one of the team's strongest members.
Where Fox always rushed right to the "Dark" part of the Phoenix Saga, the MCU has long touched on Wanda’s difficult relationship with her powers and how they affect those around her. While the prophecy around Wanda’s future was a surprise, the road in getting there was well paved, if not always clear.
Fans Are Invested
The idea that Wanda might become a Dark Phoenix-like character dawned on some viewers partway through WandaVision. Though the series was unique, there are some shared elements with Jean’s story that diehard fans caught. As a result, many became invested in Wanda’s story like never before. Could this be the start of a much better interpretation of a comic book narrative repeatedly ruined in past film adaptations? There is hope.
For those less comic-savvy fans, WandaVision still elicited an investment in Wanda. This was achieved through a thoughtful and humanizing character study. Unfortunately, where Jean is concerned, Fox used up this currency with fans and it's unlikely anyone would be invested in an MCU retelling of the actual Dark Phoenix story any time soon.
The Narrative Is Not Trying To Fit Or Change A Fan Favorite
WandaVision, while rooted in comic book precedent, is largely a unique narrative laced with powerful homages to the source material. Regarding Wanda’s character journey, variances largely stem from the previous rights issue between Marvel and Fox regarding mutants. To some degree, it is also the result of Marvel’s established storytelling technique, which gives fans the same stories as the comics, only different.
This greatly contrasts Fox’s Dark Phoenix adaptations, which infamously misused, disregarded, and rewrote many key aspects of the saga. Whereas X3 reduced Phoenix to a B-plot revisionist narrative, WandaVision largely focused on Wanda’s journey towards her destiny as the Scarlet Witch.
Wanda Is The Focus Of Her Story
Of the flaws in Fox’s Dark Phoenix iterations, one of the most notable was that Jean’s story did not focus on Jean. This was especially true in X3, where she was essentially an unmotivated and underutilized character whose only purpose was advancing stories for Wolverine, Xavier, and Magneto. WandaVision, alternatively, promised to focus on Wanda and Vision.
Not only did WandaVision deliver on that promise, but it truly was a dedicated study of Wanda’s character. Some of this obviously relied on Vision, who played no small role. However, the series expertly explored the stages of Wanda’s journey in becoming the Scarlet Witch, and that makes the character's story much more fruitful, no matter how it plays out in the future.
The Emotional Stakes Feel Higher
One of the big issues with Fox’s Dark Phoenix stories is that the emotional stakes did not feel high. For most mutants, Jean included, character development was fleeting, particularly in the original trilogy. So, when she made the ultimate sacrifice and, later, was killed by Logan, Fox was trying to elicit a fan reaction for a character they themselves had not invested in.
Conversely, WandaVision left fans feeling that the emotional stakes were higher than ever for Wanda. Viewers were given a real opportunity to care about Wanda, sharing in her journey and pain. This means fans now care greatly about Vision and the twins’ fate, and what Wanda will do to save them.
There Is Actual Romance
Another crucial Phoenix staple is Jean and Scott’s romance. In the comics, this romance propelled much of the narrative, including Jean’s sacrifice. Unfortunately, this did not translate in the original X-Men films. Jean and Scott's love felt tepid and suffered because of the consuming Wolverine love triangle.
The interesting love story between Wanda and Vision, meanwhile, was palpable and a distinctly crucial element in Wanda’s story. If WandaVision is the start of the MCU’s own Dark Phoenix-like narrative, this love is the driving force behind it.
Wanda's Look Is Comic Book Accurate
Fans of the X-Men films often discussed the issue of comic accurate costumes, which the franchise never really explored. The filmmakers wanted grounded films, and keeping the outfits of a paramilitary group of mutants believable helped achieve that--mostly. Few films before then successfully pulled off superhero costumes.
Today, the MCU’s characters notoriously sport costumes that often perfectly blend live-action film needs with the characters' comic book roots. Fans waited years for Wanda to don the Scarlet Witch outfit and crown, and it paid off. Compared to the bizarre outfit Jean wore as Phoenix in X3, this is one more way Wanda is getting a better version of Jean’s story.
Wanda’s Dark Moments Mean More
In both Dark Pheonix adaptations, Jean’s struggle with misuse of power resulted in little character growth. At best, both Jeans' opted for death without reconciling with what they had done. Neither compares to Wanda’s struggle with power and accountability. After the incident in Lagos, Wanda addressed her actions and the consequences.
In WandaVision, she again struggled with what she did to Westview’s residents. Her growing power clouded her mind, in a Phoenix-like fashion, causing her to lose control at times. Though she has not yet been consumed by her power, fans anticipate that may change. Unlike with Jean, this will likely result in a deeper conflict of conscience and more layered character development.
The Scarlet Witch’s Narrative Is Full Of Potential
Many have noted similarities between moments in WandaVision and those of Jean embracing the Phoenix in the X-Men films. If WandaVision’s final episode included a scene on par with the climax of an X-Men feature film, imagine what Marvel has planned going forward. While Wanda is slated to costar in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, her future is unclear.
It is also full of potential. Though her recent journey hinted at a Phoenix Saga of her own, Wanda is not bound to that narrative. It may be the same, but different. This would work in Wanda’s favor and also give fans something they love, but new and full of surprises.
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