Unveiling the Original Plan for Quicksilver in WandaVision
The creators behind the hit Disney+ series WandaVision initially had a different vision for the role of Pietro Maximoff, also known as Quicksilver, in the storyline. Quicksilver, an integral part of the Scarlet Witch’s journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), left a significant impact with his tragic death. His demise deeply affected Wanda, given their close bond following the loss of their parents during childhood. After the heartbreaking departure of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, the MCU opted for a creative twist by introducing Evan Peters, who portrayed Quicksilver in Fox’s X-Men universe, as a faux version of Pietro in WandaVision.
Initial Concept: A CSI-like Investigation
According to Jac Schaeffer, the creator of WandaVision, the Scarlet Witch was initially set to delve into the circumstances surrounding Quicksilver’s death in a CSI-style episode. This concept, which later influenced the true crime motif in the premiere of “Agatha All Along,” was ultimately discarded. Schaeffer shared with The Wrap that the episode would have centered on Wanda unraveling the mystery of her brother’s demise.
Agatha’s Original Role
In “Agatha All Along,” Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness was originally poised to investigate the Scarlet Witch’s death. This narrative was meant to be the focal point of episode eight, aiding Wanda in coming to terms with her illusionary existence. However, Quicksilver’s role underwent significant changes during the development of the series. Schaeffer elaborated:
“So, it was always the design that [Agatha All Along] would start with this true crime episode. That was an idea that I had when I pitched WandaVision. It was going to be the eighth episode of WandaVision, that was going to be like a CSI episode, and she was going to be solving the murder of Pietro. He was the one on the slab. (Laughs). But it was her way, sort of like, to break out of what was going on, and for her to, like, fully understand what’s going on. And I mean, that was a cool idea. But once we got in the writer’s room and really started putting that together, it was clear that we needed to have discipline in our approach to WandaVision.”
Impact of Scrapping the Quicksilver Narrative
A Shift in Storytelling Approach
The planned storyline involving Quicksilver was set to serve as a crucial moment of realization for Wanda, revealing the falsehood of her constructed reality. Had this concept been executed, it would have introduced substantial changes to the series, potentially featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson reprising his role as Quicksilver to emphasize the emotional connection.
By abandoning this plot, WandaVision was able to creatively experiment with the portrayal of Pietro. This decision allowed the show to toy with the multiverse concept without fully committing to it at that time. Instead, Evan Peters’ portrayal of a living Pietro, designed by Agatha to manipulate Wanda’s mind, added layers of intrigue. This casting choice cleverly played on audience expectations, given Peters’ association with the X-Men franchise.
Reflections on the Abandoned Plot
A Strategic Decision for Narrative Coherence
While the notion of Aaron Taylor-Johnson returning as Quicksilver might have thrilled fans, incorporating a CSI-like episode could have disrupted the series’ unique sitcom format. The true crime idea found its rightful place in “Agatha All Along,” maintaining thematic consistency with WandaVision while introducing an engaging mystery. The hope remains that Marvel will find other avenues to explore the bond between Wanda and Pietro in future MCU narratives.
WandaVision
WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first TV show on Disney+, first aired in 2021. The series kicked off the MCU’s Phase 4 and brought back Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, and Paul Bettany as Vision. WandaVision strayed away from Marvel’s typical formula, this time formatting itself more like a classic sitcom as Wanda struggles to cope with the death of Vision.
Agatha All Along
Agatha Harkness, after the events of "WandaVision," seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.
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Source: The Wrap
