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Wanda Maximoff’s return to theMarvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)feels imminent, with Kevin Feige hinting it’s only a matter of when and how. Elizabeth Olsen is likely to return in a standalone Scarlet Witch movie, or possibly a second season ofWandaVision. But whatever the project, one Marvel Studios writer/producer should be involved — ideally in a leading role.
In her last appearance inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Wanda sacrifices herself to destroy Mount Wundagore and destroy every copy of the Darkhold across the multiverse. EvenAgatha All Alongsuggests that Wanda is gone for good. But in theMCU, no one is ever truly “dead,” especially with the multiverse still in play. So, imagining a“Scarlet Witch will return”title card has appeared, who should take the reins of her next project? The answer lies in looking back at someone who led the teams of bothWandaVisionandAgatha All Along:Jac Schaeffer.
Who Should Oversee All Scarlet Witch Projects From Now?
Marvel Studios doesn’t need to look any further than Jac Schaeffer for any upcoming project involving the Scarlet Witch. As the creator ofWandaVisionandAgatha All Along, Schaeffer has proven her mettle, and the universal acclaim of both shows is proof of her talent. Her presence is crucial for any future film or series featuring the sorceress or related characters. In fact, if astandalone Scarlet Witch filmis in the works, there’s a strong case for Schaeffer to take on the director’s role.
Although Wanda has been a significant presence in the franchise since her debut inAvengers: Age of Ultron, her arc arguably peaked inWandaVision, largely thanks to Schaeffer and her team of writers. As head writer and showrunner, she clearly understood the character and her potential. Schaeffer also excelled at adding other comic-related characters to the mix, such asAgatha Harkness— so much so that she went on to successfully lead Agatha’s spinoff series. She also seems adept at handling magic and witchcraft elements in the MCU, which establishes her potential for long-term involvement.
Jac Schaeffer Is Key To Wanda’s Future In The MCU
It’s worth noting that Jac Schaeffer wasn’t part of the crew forMultiverse of Madness— and that film, while decent, didn’t quite do justice to Wanda or her arc. This underlines just how essential Schaeffer is and will be for every Wanda-focused project going forward. In fact, there’s a growing buzz among fans on social media suggesting that Marvel should make her aKevin Feige-like figure, overseeing not only the Maximoff family storylines, but also other key television projects. Many fans already see her absence from the upcomingVision Questshow on Disney+ as a letdown.
Right now, even more thanWandaVision, thesuccess ofAgatha All Along’sdebut season is a sign of Jac Schaeffer’s growing demand. She didn’t just serve as head writer for that series; she also directed three episodes, including the notable episode 7, “Death’s Hand in Mine.” A standalone Wanda movie could bring in characters fromAAA, such as Agatha,Teen (Billy Maximoff), and Aubrey Plaza’s Rio/Lady Death. It would set them up for exciting MCU prospects like Midnight Sons or even the Young Avengers. Not to mention, this could all tie into the upcomingDoomsdayandSecret Warsevents.
Could Schaeffer Take On A Larger Marvel Studios Role?
Schaeffer’s role in majorAvengersprojects could resemble how James Gunn served as an Executive Producer onInfinity WarandEndgame, as a credit to how well he handled hisGuardians of the Galaxycharacters. Her record with MCU films, as the original writer forBlack Widowand her uncredited writing additions toCaptain Marvel, didn’t get off to the best start. However, afterWandaVisionearned an impressive twenty-three Emmy nominations (the most for any limited series that year), Schaeffer will now likely have more authority and autonomywithin Marvel Studios.
There’s also the (somewhat far-fetched) potential forWandaVisionto be renewed for another season if the standalone film idea doesn’t work out. Schaeffer even commented on this back ina 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter:
I cannot talk about a second season. That really fits in with the Marvel philosophy. Kevin is so great at coming out and being like, ‘Here’s what’s happening!’ to a point. ‘Here’s the field, and this is where the field drops off.’ A second season is not something that can be discussed that’s on the field quite yet.
The MCU is no longer the relatively simple universe it was a decade ago, when it focused on six or more Avengers and a singular threat to the planet. Now, with the multiverse and a growing list of heroes and their variants, it’s becoming a challenge to keep track of everything. Having someone like Jac Schaeffer take creative control over a specific type of Marvel project, such as supernatural stories, could help ease the burden on Kevin Feige. Regardless, the bottom line is clear: theMCUcan’t afford to pursue any future Scarlet Witch story without Schaeffer’s involvement in some capacity.
