Elizabeth Olsen, reknowned for her role as Scarlet Witch in the MCU, has expressed her desire to diversify her acting portfolio beyond the iconic character.
In a candid discussion with The Times of London, conducted before the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strike, Olsen addressed her future within the MCU. She hinted at her readiness for new roles, aspiring to rejuvenate her professional repertoire after several years primarily associated with Marvel projects. Olsen mentioned that she’s in the process of figuring things out. Over the last four years, her primary focus has been on Marvel projects. She clarified that her intention is not to avoid being linked solely to the Scarlet Witch character. Instead, she strongly believes in the importance of diversifying her acting roles to achieve a sense of equilibrium.
Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch solidified her presence in the MCU. This enigmatic character, known for her reality-altering abilities and chaos magic, became a focal point in series like WandaVision and the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. However, Olsen believes it’s time to explore fresh opportunities as she refuses to be confined to one role.
She conveyed her desire, stating that her current aspiration is to work on films. She expressed hope that some film opportunities align with her expectations. Olsen emphasized her need for diversity in her acting roles, explaining that she desires to portray different characters in her career. She believes that relying solely on one character doesn’t offer long-term career sustainability.
This isn’t the first instance where Olsen has conveyed her eagerness to diversify her acting career beyond the Marvel universe. In a previous interview with Variety in June, she disclosed her lack of eagerness to return to the Scarlet Witch role, emphasizing her pride in the work accomplished thus far. Olsen also offered advice to actors considering MCU roles, encouraging them to explore one feature film initially to assess compatibility and exercise greater control over their project choices.
Elizabeth Olsen’s Journey Beyond Scarlet Witch
Olsen revealed that “Marvel obligations” and the pandemic limited her engagement with diverse roles since 2017. She reflected on her enjoyment in participating in non-MCU films like “Wind River” and “Ingrid Goes West,” highlighting their distinctiveness and the inability to draw direct comparisons. Since her introduction in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” in 2014, Olsen has featured in subsequent MCU films such as “Civil War,” “Age of Ultron,” “Infinity War,” and “Endgame.”
Despite her cryptic responses regarding her future in the MCU, including the potential return of Scarlet Witch in “Agatha: Coven of Chaos,” Olsen is set to reprise her role in the second season of “What If…?,” slated for release in 2024. Her upcoming project is the family drama “His Three Daughters,” co-starring alongside Carrie Coon and Natasha Lyonne.
“His Three Daughters” is scheduled to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, marking an exciting chapter in Elizabeth Olsen’s journey beyond the confines of her Scarlet Witch character.