‘Avengers: Endgame’ Almost Featured the MCU’s First Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch Team-Up
For every movie project, there are ideas, characters, and entire plotlines that never make it into the final product. But for something like Avengers: Endgame, this seems to be truer than most. After all, the film does serve as the climactic 22nd chapter of the ongoing Marvel Cinematic Universe.
With dozens of characters involved, we’re constantly learning more about which story beats director Joe and Anthony Russo decided not to use. This is particularly true with Avengers: Endgame‘s epic final battle. At one point, Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel had a very different entrance. And Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thanos (Josh Brolin) nearly came to blows again.
But the latest behind-the-scenes tidbit for Avengers: Endgame feels like a bigger loss because of how it might have set up the future.
Scarlet Witch will play a pivotal role in the ‘Doctor Strange’ sequel
Since the release of Avengers: Endgame, fans have learned a lot about what Phase 4 has in store. Films such as Black Widow and The Eternals aren’t expected to deal heavily with the aftermath. But beyond those releases, the films will finally catch up with favorites like Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch).
In particular, the Sorcerer Supreme’s sequel has fans curious. First of all, Spider-Man filmmaker Sam Raimi has signed on to direct. And Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will explore the notion of alternate realities, an idea just introduced into the MCU. To do that, Strange will be joined by Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).
Putting these two magical-focused characters together makes a great deal of sense. Both are among the most powerful Avengers. And while Marvel isn’t quite ready to give Scarlet Witch her own film, she has proven to be a strong supporting player over the years. If the Doctor Strange sequel is as trippy as the first one, Scarlet Witch will be right at home.
The two magical superheroes nearly met up in ‘Avengers: Endgame’
Fans might be excited to see Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch join forces in the upcoming film. But some may be wondering how Marvel will bring them together in the first place. Although they were both present during the final act of Avengers: Endgame, Strange and Wanda have never shared screen time. But they very nearly did.
Thanks to Hollywood set photographer Chuck Zlotnick, fans discovered a photo from an Avengers: Endgame deleted scene. In the scene, Doctor Strange prevents a wall of water from rushing toward the battlefield. According to this photo, Wanda was there to protect Strange as he used his magic. Yet, she doesn’t appear in the scene during the movie’s final cut.
Perhaps the Russos believed Wanda’s presence during this moment robbed Strange of the spotlight. With so many characters to service, Avengers: Endgame needed to carefully dole screen time out to each character. Wanda has a hero moment of her own when she nearly defeats Thanos single-handedly. The goal here was likely to preserve Strange’s own heroism.
‘WandaVision’ is the MCU’s biggest wild card
Although Strange and Wanda don’t cross paths in Avengers: Endgame, fans are probably closer than they think to seeing the pair team up. Rumor has it Strange will pop up in WandaVision, as that Disney+ series will reportedly lead directly into the Doctor Strange sequel.
In fact, of all the Disney+ series Marvel Studios has in the works, WandaVision is arguably the most intriguing. The show is said to hinge on Wanda’s relationship with Vision (Paul Bettany), who met his end in Avengers: Infinity War.
So far, fans have no clue exactly how WandaVision will play out or how it will lead into Wanda’s alliance with Strange. But the series does have the potential to be one of the most distinctive bits of superhero storytelling Marvel has ever created.
