Ian McKellen In Avengers: Doomsday: A Chance To Rectify Scarlet Witch And Quicksilver's MCU Origin?

Viktoria Ivanova

6 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

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The Flaws of the MCU's Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver Introduction

The MCU's handling of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's origin story suffered from several key shortcomings that diminished their impact and potential.

Lack of Magneto's Presence

Magneto's absence is arguably the most significant flaw. In the comics, Magneto is central to Wanda and Pietro's lives, shaping their powers and influencing their personalities profoundly. His absence in the MCU significantly weakened their character arcs.

• Comic Book Counterpart: In the comics, Magneto's presence is essential for understanding their motivations, conflicts, and their complex relationship with him. Their powers are directly tied to his own genetic manipulation.
• MCU Contrast: The MCU largely ignores this vital aspect, presenting them as seemingly orphaned individuals with little to no backstory linking them to the powerful mutant leader. This missing connection leaves a crucial piece of their character puzzle missing.
• Impact: Without the emotional weight and conflict inherent in their relationship with Magneto, their motivations often appear shallow and their actions lack depth. The lack of this paternal influence is felt particularly acutely in Wanda's journey as she struggles with her powers and her trauma.

Rushed Character Development

The twins' introduction was rushed, with limited screen time devoted to exploring their complex backstories and emotional depth. This resulted in underdeveloped characters who lacked the nuance and complexity of their comic book counterparts.

• Limited Backstory: We get glimpses into their past, but very little is given that explains their trauma, their motivations, and their transformation into the characters we see on screen.
• Comparison to Other MCU Characters: Compare their initial introductions to characters like Black Panther or Doctor Strange; these characters received far more substantial backstories and character development, allowing their personalities to come to life and creating stronger emotional connections with audiences.
• Lack of Emotional Depth: Several key moments – such as their initial grief and their later struggles with their powers – felt rushed, lacking the emotional impact they deserved.

Altered Power Dynamics

The MCU significantly altered Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's powers, diminishing their potential and creating inconsistencies with their comic book origins.

• Power Discrepancies: Their abilities in the MCU are significantly different from their portrayal in the comics. The scope of their powers and the ways in which they manifest are toned down.
• Narrative Implications: This alteration of their power sets has significant implications for the overall narrative, limiting their potential impact on major MCU storylines and weakening their presence in the larger superhero community.
• Comic Book Accuracy: The deviation from the established comic book portrayal was a missed opportunity to showcase their full potential and deliver a more satisfying and loyal adaptation.

Ian McKellen as Magneto: A Powerful Recasting Option

Casting Ian McKellen as Magneto could dramatically improve the portrayal of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver.

McKellen's Acting Prowess

McKellen is a renowned actor with a remarkable ability to portray complex and morally ambiguous characters. His vast experience and exceptional talent would bring depth and authenticity to the role of Magneto.

• Range of Roles: His roles as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and Richard III demonstrate his incredible range and his ability to embody characters with both immense power and internal conflict.
• Suitability for Magneto: McKellen's gravitas and the subtle nuances he brings to his performances make him ideally suited to play the charismatic yet morally complicated Magneto.
• Adding Depth to the Role: His performance would elevate Magneto beyond a simple antagonist, adding depth and complexity to his character, exploring his motivations and the complexities of his parental relationships with Wanda and Pietro.

A More Authentic Portrayal of Magneto

McKellen's casting could lead to a far more nuanced and faithful portrayal of Magneto and his tumultuous relationship with his children.

• Exploring Magneto's Motivations: The film could delve into Magneto's past, exploring his reasons for his actions and the trauma that shaped him.
• The Father-Daughter Dynamic: A key focus could be the complex and often volatile relationship between Magneto and Scarlet Witch, exploring the love and conflict between them. This could involve intensely emotional scenes that would provide audiences with insight into Wanda's motivation and the weight of her past.
• Character Development: McKellen's performance could elevate the entire narrative, enriching the characters and providing a deeper understanding of their motivations and actions.

Strengthening the Narrative Arc

A stronger Magneto presence could significantly improve the overall MCU narrative by providing a richer backstory and more compelling conflicts.

• Connecting Storylines: Magneto's actions could be strategically woven into other MCU storylines, creating intriguing links and crossovers.
• Conflicts with Other Villains: His presence could trigger new conflicts, creating opportunities for interesting encounters with other powerful MCU antagonists.
• Expanding the MCU Mythology: A more accurate portrayal of Magneto and his relationship with the twins would enrich the MCU mythology, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

Avengers: Doomsday as the Perfect Setting

A high-stakes event like Avengers: Doomsday provides the ideal setting to introduce Magneto and explore the twins' origins properly.

A High-Stakes Narrative

The pressure of a global crisis would amplify the emotional weight of their family drama, creating a powerful and dramatic narrative.

• Enhanced Gravity: The doomsday scenario provides a backdrop that elevates the stakes of their personal conflict, adding urgency and consequence to their choices.
• Amplified Conflict: The global threat would intensify the conflict between Magneto and other heroes, creating opportunities for epic confrontations and morally challenging situations.
• Increased Importance: The heightened tension of a doomsday scenario would ensure that the introduction of Magneto and the exploration of the twins' origin story is handled with care and given the weight it deserves.

Opportunity for Character Redemption

The doomsday scenario offers a chance for redemption arcs for both Magneto and the twins.

• Challenging Beliefs: The extreme circumstances could challenge their firmly held beliefs and values, potentially leading to significant personal growth.
• Difficult Choices: They may be forced to make difficult and morally ambiguous choices, impacting their relationships and their understanding of themselves.
• New Understanding: The pressure of the doomsday scenario could force them to confront their past traumas and find a path toward healing and acceptance.

Conclusion

The initial MCU portrayal of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver lacked the depth and complexity of their comic book origins. The absence of Magneto, rushed character development, and altered power dynamics significantly hampered their narrative potential. However, casting Ian McKellen as Magneto in a hypothetical Avengers: Doomsday film offers a powerful opportunity to rectify these issues. McKellen's acting prowess could provide a more authentic and nuanced portrayal of Magneto, enriching the twins' backstories and strengthening the overall MCU narrative. The high-stakes setting of Avengers: Doomsday would provide the perfect backdrop for exploring their complex family dynamics and allowing for powerful character redemption arcs. What are your thoughts on Ian McKellen joining the Avengers: Doomsday cast? Share your vision for a reimagined Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver origin story in the comments below!