Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured some unexpected deaths. But the most unexpected could see an X-Men power reverse it.
The following contains spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, now streaming on Disney+.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness showed audiences the full range of creativity that the Marvel Cinematic Universe and director Sam Raimi could have with themes of horror and dramatic visuals. However, it also pushed the themes of its characters to new heights, with Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) contemplating his own happiness as Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) tried to find hers through death and destruction. However, even though her story had ended with a heroic sacrifice, a classic Marvel film may have offered an answer to how she could survive.
Toward the end of Multiverse of Madness, Wanda realized just how far she’d fallen due to the corruption of the Darkhold. As a result, she chose to fix her mistakes and destroy the source of the Darkhold, Mount Wundagore, along with herself. But while it appeared as though Wanda died, there was a massive red flash as the temple fell, which could signify that she encased herself in a magical cocoon like Jean Grey in the X-Men films.
In X2: X-Men United, Jean Grey’s Phoenix abilities awakened under great stress. However, her true potential didn’t unleash until the film’s climax. As the X-Men escaped Alkali Lake before it flooded, Jean stayed behind and used her telekinesis to hold off the water, and when her team was safe, she let the water take her. But the immense pressure didn’t affect her because of a psychic cocoon she formed to protect herself. And in the time she was in it, she grew stronger than ever and reemerged as a threat.
If Wanda was unable to escape the rubble of Wundagore, there’s a chance she created a magical shell similar to Jean’s. If so, it could make her equally powerful or as unpredictable. While Wanda remains in the cocoon, she could have an internal battle between what got left of the Darkhold’s corruption and her real self. And depending on who emerges, she could return with her dark hair as the original Wanda with the power of chaos magic and her Nexus Being status. However, if she reemerges as the Scarlet Witch, she could remain a dangerous enemy for some time, with even more power than before.
There’s also a heavy degree of symbolism to Wanda getting cocooned in Wundagore. In the comics, Wanda’s connection to Chthon and magic originated on Wundagore when she was born. With Wanda remaining cocooned, she would technically be reborn on the mountain. Therefore, what could appear on the other side would be someone who may have a deeper connection to her past. It could even be that the latent magic in the mountain could inform her of her roots and put her on a path to becoming a true witch like Agatha.
Jean’s return from her cocoon created chaos and death for the X-Men and the human communities. But while Wanda may have used the same means as Jean to save herself, her rebirth could have the opposite effect. As her story concluded after chaos and death, it would make sense that her return would lead to the opposite. However, now she would have to deal with those who gave up on her. Everything about Wanda has been unpredictable, but her potential protection and rebirth could promise a change for her and her story in the MCU.
To see Wanda’s potential new beginning, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is streaming on Disney+.
