For years, Elizabeth Olsen has been one of Hollywood’s most respected and grounded performers — a star who balances artistic depth with quiet authenticity. But after portraying Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), Olsen says something inside her fundamentally changed.
In a revealing and heartfelt conversation, the actress reflected on how embodying one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most complex characters altered not just her career, but her perspective on emotion, identity, and strength.
“Everyone wants to know about it,” Olsen said. “But it’s hard to explain. Playing Wanda in that film wasn’t just acting — it was therapy and heartbreak at the same time.”
Pushing Past the Limits of Performance
After years of playing Wanda in Avengers films and the hit Disney+ series WandaVision, Olsen thought she knew the character inside and out. But under the direction of Sam Raimi, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness forced her to dive into a darker, more painful version of the hero — one consumed by grief and obsession.
“It was emotionally exhausting,” Olsen admitted. “I had to imagine what it’s like to lose everything you love — again and again. That does something to you. You carry it home without realizing.”
The transformation of Wanda — from grieving mother to a desperate force willing to bend reality — left Olsen wrestling with the line between performance and personal empathy. “Sam loves exploring the darker sides of people,” she said. “He kept asking me to find the truth behind the anger — not just play the villain, but feel her desperation. That’s when I realized Wanda wasn’t evil; she was broken.”
“After Doctor Strange 2, I Wasn’t the Same Person”
Olsen described the emotional toll as one of the most intense experiences of her career. “There were days when I’d go home and just sit in silence for an hour,” she revealed. “It wasn’t sadness — it was like my heart was still living in Wanda’s pain.”
Once filming ended, Olsen said she struggled to separate herself from the character. “I carried Wanda with me for months,” she admitted. “Her guilt, her love, her power — it all stayed with me. I had to relearn how to be myself again.”
In the months that followed, Olsen took a step back from large-scale franchises, choosing smaller, character-driven projects like Love and Death to ground herself. “I needed to remember what it felt like to just be Elizabeth again,” she said. “No powers, no chaos — just being human.”
What Wanda Taught Her
Over nearly a decade of portraying the Scarlet Witch, Olsen says she’s learned some of her most meaningful lessons about resilience and humanity.
“Wanda’s journey taught me that strength doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from surviving your mistakes,” she reflected. “That’s something I’ve taken into my own life.”
Playing the character also gave her a new appreciation for motherhood and loss. “Even though I’m not a mother, playing Wanda made me understand that fierce love — that fear of losing the people you care about. It’s universal.”
“Everyone Sees the Power — But I See the Woman”
The global fascination with Wanda Maximoff continues to this day, and Olsen admits she’s constantly asked if she’ll return to the role.
“Everyone wants to know what’s next, if she’s coming back, if she’s alive,” she said with a smile. “But for me, it’s not about what’s next for Wanda — it’s about what’s next for me.”
Despite the emotional strain, Olsen says she’s deeply grateful for the experience. “Wanda pushed me to my limits, but she also made me a better actor,” she said. “She taught me how to be vulnerable and strong at the same time — and that’s something I’ll carry forever.”
When asked if she would ever play the Scarlet Witch again, Olsen left the door open: “If it makes sense — if there’s more story to tell — sure. But if that was the end, I’m okay with it. Because Wanda gave me everything I needed.”
From Grief to Growth
Reflecting on her journey, Olsen said the role transformed not just her craft, but her outlook on life.
“Everyone sees her as powerful,” she said. “But I see her as human — flawed, scared, and brave. That’s why people connect with her. And maybe that’s why I’ll never really let her go.”
For Elizabeth Olsen, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness wasn’t just another chapter in the Marvel saga — it was a personal awakening. “After playing Wanda,” she said, “I’m not the same person. And honestly, I don’t want to be.”
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