Elizabeth Olsen Reportedly Not the No. 1 Choice to Play Scarlet Witch AKA Wanda Maximoff in MCU; Who’s the Irish Actress the Studio Was Originally Eyeing for the Role?

elizabeth-olsen-reportedly-not-the-no-1-choice-to-play-scarlet-witch-aka-wanda-maximoff-in-mcu-whos-the-irish-actress-the-studio-was-originally-eyeing-for-the-role
Credit: Marvel Entertainment/YouTube Screenshot

elizabeth-olsen-reportedly-not-the-no-1-choice-to-play-scarlet-witch-aka-wanda-maximoff-in-mcu-whos-the-irish-actress-the-studio-was-originally-eyeing-for-the-role
Credit: Marvel Entertainment/YouTube Screenshot

Scarlett Witch was probably meant for Elizabeth Olsen even if the role was not made for her and was offered to other actresses before her. An Irish actress was reportedly the studio's top choice, and other actresses were considered for the role before it eventually landed with Olsen.

Elizabeth Olsen Was Not The Top Choice For Marvel's Scarlet Witch?

There is no denying that Olsen has become even more popular after joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Scarlet Witch, also known as Wanda Maximoff. Her role, which made its debut in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, has since become one of the most beloved and powerful female characters to date.

However, not all fans are probably aware that the role was originally meant for someone else. Saoirse Ronan was at the top of the producers' minds when they wanted to bring Scarlet Witch to life on the big screen. Joss Whedon, who directed the character's debut in the MCU franchise, had been very vocal about wanting Ronan for the role.

There were even rumors that Marvel Studios based the early concept of the character for the Irish actress.

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When Ronan was promoting her movie Violet & Daisy, she was asked about the possibility of joining the MCU, and she was thrilled about it at the time.

"I have heard about it and yes, I would. Yeah, of course, I would. I love Joss and I love those films, and I love his handle on them and how he portrayed these kinds of superheroes. It's very different from what anyone else has done. So yeah, I'd love to be in it," she said.

However, it was reported that she rejected the project when Marvel Studios approached her. Lindsay Lohan and Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer were also considered for the role before Olsen got it, The Things reported.

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How Did Scarlet Witch, Aka Wanda Maximoff, Change Elizabeth Olsen's Career In Hollywood?

Elizabeth Olsen was already popular before she joined MCU. She became a Sundance Film Festival sensation due to her role in Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011.

The dramatic thriller received considerable praise from critics, and she was singled out for her leading performance. She also won numerous awards for the role.

Olsen also appeared in Red LightsLiberal Arts and in the American remake of the South Korean movie Oldboy, where she received a BAFTA nomination for her performance.

She was also cast in Kill Your Darlings and In Secret before joining the blockbuster Godzilla in 2014. Olsen also appeared alongside Dakota Fanning in Very Good Girls.

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However, she catapulted to fame when she joined the MCU franchise as Scarlet Witch.

She had already played the character in a total of six films and also reprised the role in the Disney+ limited series Wanda Vision. Her character became the antagonist in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Many were impressed with Olsen's performance in the superhero movies featuring Scarlet Witch, that Marvel Studios is campaigning for her to get an Oscar. Her fans were also celebrating after learning about Marvel's effort to give the actress the accolade.

Aside from potential awards, the role made a huge boost in her net worth. The actors in 2019's Avengers: Endgame reportedly earned between $15 to $20 million in that movie alone.

Olsen's current net worth is $11 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

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