Elizabeth Olsen, the wonderful actress who initially played - and continues to play - Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Universe, will be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. MCU fans have been crying ever since they watched Wanda die - accident or not – in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, they are glad to know that wading through all this, Olsen will be appearing in something quite unexpected. This statement came with the news – that the actress will also voice the character of Scarlet Witch in the animated series Marvel Zombies, which is going to be released on Disney+ in October 2025.
This change of heart is positively received, being the beginning of a new chapter in Wanda’s journey in the MCU, and fans are left in speculation if this is the last time they will see her in animated features. Here is a detailed discussion about what exactly is Olsen doing in this series and how this series fits in terms of her character’s storyline in the MCU.
Elizabeth Olsen on Returning to Marvel Claudia Heffner (Wolfe) On camera it’s very ‘this character is gonna look like this when this character comes back even if she looks different’ which is clear and one of the reasons I love Marvel so much and why things are done the way they are.
Elizabeth Olsen on Returning to Marvel: A "Character-Driven" Decision
Recently, Elizabeth Olsen spoke with Vulture magazine regarding the history of her contractual obligations with Marvel Studios and why they have an ever-growing collaboration. She noted that her reappearance as Scarlet Witch in Marvel Zombies is consistent with the principle of characters and the retrieval of tales.
"Marvel has been such a consistent thing I’ve been able to return to," Olsen shared. "It has created... some feeling of insurance in my life that has given me the freedom to choose other jobs. So I haven’t felt like, ‘And then I’ll do this to do this.’ [It] has always felt like a choice."
This perspective highlights why Olsen has embraced reprising Wanda in an animated format. Although Marvel Zombies won't see Scarlet Witch return to live-action just yet, it allows Olsen to explore the character in new ways. The animated series is a continuation of What If...? episode 5, which introduced a zombified Marvel Universe. Olsen’s Scarlet Witch variant will be part of this apocalyptic world, providing an opportunity for the actress to portray a darker, twisted version of Wanda Maximoff.
By focusing on a new Scarlet Witch variant, Marvel Zombies promises to expand the character’s mythology. Wanda's storyline in the MCU has already been rich, evolving from a grief-stricken hero in WandaVision to a formidable force in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, as Olsen mentioned, her return was based on a deliberate choice by Marvel, emphasizing that each of her appearances is thoughtfully planned and driven by creative storytelling.
What Does Wanda’s Return Mean for the MCU?
Olsen’s return to the MCU, even in an animated capacity, suggests that Scarlet Witch remains a vital part of Marvel's overarching narrative. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has hinted at Wanda's return in live-action, fueling speculation that Marvel Zombies could pave the way for her reappearance in upcoming films.
While details about the series remain under wraps, Marvel Zombies focuses on survivors navigating a zombie-infested Marvel Universe. It introduces characters such as Shang-Chi, Kate Bishop, Kamala Khan, Yelena Belova, and more, offering a fresh setting for Wanda’s variant to shine. This storyline exists outside the main MCU timeline, providing the flexibility to showcase Scarlet Witch in an entirely different light.
The animated show could also serve as a testing ground for future iterations of Wanda Maximoff. As the MCU’s Multiverse Saga progresses, fan-favorite characters like Scarlet Witch may play pivotal roles in upcoming films, including Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
Olsen’s comments about Marvel’s "consistent" influence in her career hint that her involvement with the franchise is far from over. While Marvel Zombies is just a handful of episodes, it reinforces Marvel's commitment to exploring every dimension of its characters, even those presumed gone.
What to Expect from Marvel Zombies
Marvel Zombies is one of the most awaited Disney+ releases of the year, 2025. Building off the popular What If...? episode, the series takes fans into the depths of a world where a zombie virus has infected the Marvel universe. As voiced by Elizabeth Olsen, the inclusion of Wanda Maximoff adds layers to the story.
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This animated format even allows exploring the darker sides of the character without disturbing the live-action timeline. The fact that they decided to use Olsen again means that in the eyes of Marvel, her version of Scarlet Witch cannot be replaced in any other universe.
While fans are eager for the return of Olsen’s voice acting, her appearance fills them with hope for the supremacy of Scarlet Witch in the live-action tread. The year was also rich in releases, so with Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four, 2025 is turning out to be really great for the MCU. Will Marvel Zombies come to show the live-action version of Wanda Maximoff later on? Only time will tell.
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