Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Elizabeth Olsen reveals she never met two significant members of the Illuminati while filming Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Following the events of WandaVision, Olsen makes her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Sam Raimi’s Multiverse of Madness, and this time, she emerges as the true Scarlet Witch. Unfortunately for Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wanda Maximoff has been corrupted by the Darkhold/Book of the Damned and wants America Chavez’s (Xochitl Gomez) universe-jumping power so that she can be with her children.
Scarlet Witch being a true villain is far from Multiverse of Madness’ only surprise. In the film, Strange escapes to Earth-838 and is brought before the Illuminati, a group of heroes consisting of Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Maria Rambeau/Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski), and Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t take long for Earth-616’s Scarlet Witch to dream walk, possess the body of 838’s Wanda, and attack the Illuminati base, brutally murdering pretty much every member of the superhero team in the process.
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Olsen revealed she actually never met Stewart or Krasinski during the production of Multiverse of Madness, calling the process "movie magic.” Olsen went on to compare the power of levels of 838’s Wanda and 616’s Scarlet Witch while disposing of the Illuminati, despite not being physically in the room with her foes. Read her comments below:
“We decided that the limitation is that she isn't in her body, she's in a "less oiled" version of her body so it's not capable of doing as much as our universe's Wanda could do. It's more about using the body like a bad car or something, like a not-so-tuned-up car. I wanted it to be easier. It's amazing to get to have those moments."
The startling, long-range power of Wanda/Scarlet Witch not only served its story but presumably facilitated the editing of Multiverse of Madness’ cameos. The MCU film underwent extensive reshoots at the end of 2021, which Cumberbatch previously said were to make up for lost time due to the pandemic. That said, many of the cameos were filmed depending on the actors’ availability. On top of Olsen not physically meeting Stewart and Krasinski, it seems likely many members of the Illuminati never actually crossed paths on set, making the epic battle scene all the more impressive.
At end of the Multiverse of Madness, the Scarlet Witch realizes the error of her ways (more or less), destroys the Darkhold in every universe, and sacrifices herself as Mount Wundagore’s temple collapses. It remains to be seen if her character will return, and perhaps someday meet variants of Mr. Fantastic and Professor X. Following Disney/Marvel Studios' 2019 acquisition of Fox, Multiverse of Madness was the official MCU debut of a mutant and a member of the Fantastic Four. It’s unclear if Stewart or Krasinski will play the variant versions of their characters on Earth-616 after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. If the pair do return and cross paths with Olsen's Scarlet Witch, however, Mr. Fantastic and Professor X are sure to create a lot more "movie magic."
Source: CinemaBlend/YouTube
