WandaVision has brought Pietro Maximoff back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe...with a new actor in the role. The fact that Quicksilver has been "recast" is something which has actually factored into the show's plot, and last week's episode confirmed it was Agnes who was responsible for Wanda's "brother" showing up.
Right now, we don't know whether "Pietro" is a random Westview resident, someone Agatha Harkness has plucked out of the Multiverse, or even a villain like Mephisto in disguise. Answers have to be coming, but in the meantime, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has elaborated on the decision to have Dark Phoenix star Evan Peters suit up as the character.
Asked if they ever considered bringing back Avengers: Age of Ultron star Aaron Taylor-Johnson during Disney+'s TCA Press Tour panel yesterday, Feige said: "Well, there are discussions on everything, at one point or another. That’s one of the fun things about developing these things or blue-skying it in the rooms."
"My favorite part of the process is always the very, very beginning when we’re figuring out what something could be and at the very, very end when we’re refining it and putting it out into the world," he continued. "So there were all sorts of discussions, but I believe we ended up going with what you saw relatively early on in the development process."
Feige would conclude with a very interesting tease about Pietro's new face, noting that "It’s just another way that certain people were messing around with Wanda."
We're less than 24 hours away from a new episode of WandaVision, and Quicksilver is definitely one of the show's biggest mysteries. There are lots of conflicting rumours online, but we'll hopefully get some solid answers this week, especially after that tense mid-credits scene.
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the Scarlet Witch's best moments in the MCU!
10. Besting Tony Stark
Like her comic book counterpart, the Scarlet Witch was introduced as a villain. Working for Baron Von Strucker, and desperate for revenge against Tony Stark, Wanda manipulated the Avenger's mind, and caused him to see a vision of what could come to pass if Thanos were to invade Earth.
It was that which prompted Tony to create Ultron and unleash a threat on the world that very nearly destroyed it.
That makes the Scarlet Witch one of the MCU's most effective villains, and while she would come to regret her actions, this was a devastating, impressive use of her reality-altering abilities long before she mastered them. It also delivered a terrifying glimpse into what was in store for the planet.
9. Defeating Proxima Midnight
Desperate to protect The Vision from Thanos and his forces, Wanda raced into action in Wakanda to save both Black Widow and Okoye from the formidable Proxima Midnight.
Using her powers to tear apart the weaponry the Mad Titan's Outriders had unleashed on Black Panther's home, the Scarlet Witch sent Proxima flying into the sky where she was promptly torn into pieces. The Black Order never came across as overly threatening in the MCU, but they were still easily one of the most powerful groups Earth's Mightiest Heroes ever faced.
That makes this incredible show of power from Wanda all the more memorable, and proves that she can make short work of even the most powerful opponents (more on that later).
8. Mourning Quicksilver
At this point in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wanda had already proven she was quite the force to be reckoned with. However, it was sensing the death of her brother, Pietro, which led to a true awakening of the Scarlet Witch's abilities. Overcome with grief, she let out a huge, terrifying burst of energy.
Ultron's robotic army were no match for that, and ended up being completely obliterated in the process.
Regardless of what Marvel Studios had planned for Wanda at this point, the reveal that she might not know the extent of her powers was intriguing for fans, and a sign of what might be to come. If this is what the Scarlet Witch when she's out of control, just imagine when she masters her powers!
7. Happy, At Last
Despite finding themselves on opposite sides of the conflict in Captain America: Civil War, The Vision and the Scarlet Witch managed to find each other between the events of that movie and Avengers: Infinity War. Hiding their romance from the rest of the Avengers, they embraced their love, and the android was able to become a little more human in the process.
Of course, their Scottish getaway didn't last long thanks to the intervention of the Black Order!
That led to another demonstration of Wanda's powers as she rushed into action to protect The Vision, and these scenes were all we really needed to understand how strong their bond had become.
6. Defending Hawkeye
Before finding romance with The Vision, Wanda developed another very important relationship in the MCU. This was more akin to a father/daughter dynamic, though, and it was Hawkeye who convinced Wanda to embrace being a hero...and a member of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
After spurring her into action in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hawkeye came to rescue Wanda from the New Avengers Facility in Captain America: Civil War. However, he found himself seriously overpowers by the might of The Vision when the two former allies found themselves facing off.
Using her powers to take control of the Mind Stone, and thereby Vision, Wanda completely overpowered the "man" she was developing feelings for in an incredible show of strength.
5. Hulk Out Or Control
The Hulk is the "Strongest Avenger," and it takes a truly powerful being to take down the Jade Giant.
While the Scarlet Witch has never faced off with Bruce Banner's angry alter-ego, she was able to use her powers to send him completely out of control when they crossed paths in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Completely unhinged and on a rampage, the Hulk tore through South Africa, and ended up squaring off with Iron Man's Hulkbuster armour in a breathtaking, brutal battle.
This was all down to the Scarlet Witch's machinations, and while Marvel Studios appears to have moved on from her apparent mind-control abilities, they could easily factor into WandaVision.
4. Taking Down Iron Man
Iron Man's actions in Captain America: Civil War were definitely questionable, with his decision to essentially lock the Scarlet Witch inside the New Avengers Facility one of his biggest mistakes.
When the Armoured Avenger confronted Wanda and Hawkeye on the battlefield, Wanda got a taste of revenge when she used her powers to bring car after car down on the hero. Considering the fact Iron Man is so much more experienced than Wanda, her being able to get one over on him like this is most impressive (and very nearly ended up taking him out of the fight altogether).
Oh, and if you were #TeamCap, you'll get why this moment ends up ranking so highly here.
3. Vision's Demise
With Thanos approaching, and time running out, the Scarlet Witch had no other choice than to use her powers to destroy the Mind Stone that gives life to The Vision.
As heartbreaking as this was for Wanda, not destroying the love of her life would mean Thanos could enact his plan to wipe out half the universe. With that, this hero quite literally obliterated the android, and he was blown into pieces before her eyes. What a choice to have to make, eh?
Ultimately, Thanos would use the Time Stone to restore The Vision and get the Mind Stone, anyway. That takes absolutely nothing from what Wanda ended up going through here, though.
2. Ripping Out Ultron's Heart
Overcome with grief, the Scarlet Witch set her sights on Ultron, not caring whether she lived or died.
Tearing the heart from the villain's Vibranium body, Wanda appeared to get the last laugh over the android who made use of her and Quicksilver. Of course, he was able to enact his plan to send Sokovia crashing into Earth anyway, and it was then that The Vision swooped in to save his future lover.
This was a great way to put the Scarlet Witch on the map in the MCU, while also showcasing what she might be capable of when pushed. After all, Ultron had proved to be damn near invincible up until this point, but with her powers, the Avenger was able to put a (temporary) end to this villain.
1. The MCU's Most Powerful Hero
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has said that Wanda Maximoff is the Marvel Cinematic Universe's most powerful superhero, and this moment in Avengers: Endgame proves that.
Returned from the dead, the Scarlet Witch immediately sets her sights on the Mad Titan, and easily overpowers him. In fact, it appears as if Wanda will be the one to put a permanent end to the formidable villain, and it's only because he rains fire down on the Avengers - and his army - that he escapes.
It's fascinating to think what might have happened had Wanda not been interrupted, and this was a scene which really emphasised how far the Scarlet Witch's powers had come by now.