WandaVision's Elizabeth Olsen Was 'Freaked Out' By Marvel Show When First Pitched

Back in 2019, Marvel announced its first slate of MCU TV series to be aired on Disney+. However, instead of following franchise headliners like Thor or the Guardians of the Galaxy, these shows focused on characters that hadn't had a substantial share of the spotlight yet. Loki, Hawkeye and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will all be released later in 2021, but first up on Disney+ is WandaVision. 

Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, was first introduced with her brother Pietro in Avengers: Age of Ultron. After joining the Avengers, she became a core part of the team in subsequent movies. Following these team-up appearances, WandaVision was a chance for fans to learn more about one of the MCU's strongest avengers. 

ELIZABETH OLSEN WAS INTIMIDATED BY WANDAVISION

Speaking on Variety's Still Watching Podcast, Elizabeth Olsen revealed she was happy doing only one Marvel project at a time and not being the star of the show:

"I've only signed on for a couple [Marvel projects] at a time. Every time they ask me to come back it's a surprise to me. I started getting really comfortable not having the responsibility for the success of the Avengers franchise."

Olsen said she was happy with the way her character developed across these films:

"I was really happy to take up my little corner. I really enjoyed how they had used me. I always felt like I had something substantial to do in those films."

In that light, when it came to WandaVision, Olsen was initially "completely freaked out by it," but eventually came to love and appreciate the show largely thanks to Wanda's character progression:

"When Kevin proposed this show I was completely freaked out by it because I know how many eyes are on these shows or films and it's very intimidating. It just became something I absolutely adored and loved. Because of the show it made me love this character more than I ever had. It makes me feel like I have new ownership of her because of the time I got to spend creating this show." 

WANDAVISION IS A RISK THAT HAS PAID OFF

Elizabeth Olsen has starred in four Marvel movies as Scarlet Witch, in addition to a cameo role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, WandaVision is the first time she's been at the front and center.

With all the popularity that surrounds the MCU, it's no surprise to hear that the actress was a little daunted about taking the lead role, particularly in a show as unique as WandaVision. But so far, the risk has paid off. 

Getting an entire series to explore a character is a rare treat for an actor, and it's clearly been a great opportunity for Olsen. She's been given the chance to shine, and fans have also had the opportunity to learn more about the Scarlet Witch. There's still over half a season of WandaVision to go, so it's likely audiences will get to see even more sides to Olsen's performance before the end of the show. 

This won't be the last time fans see Olsen in the role of Wanda Maximoff. She's set to return in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where she'll take ownership of her role once again in another MCU movie.