It has been over a year since the release ofWandaVision, the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series on Disney+ and the official start of Phase 4. Giving the spotlight to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) andVision (Paul Bettany)after years of being supporting characters, the series became a massive hit and captivated audiences each week with a mystery of what exactly was happening. The series arrival during the COVID-19 pandemic seemed perfect, as the show itself was about retreating into the comfort of nostalgic television during a period of uncertain depression, much like audiences were stuck inside binging familiar comfort series.
When it was announced, the series was pitched as leading directly intoDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and with the release of that film, it is a good time to revisitWandaVision. Like many MCU projects,WandaVisionlaid the groundwork for future series and films in the franchise withEaster eggsand references. These Easter eggs tie into the larger MCU both in terms of its past, but also the future of where it is heading. In honor of the release ofDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, these are some of the biggest Easter eggs inWandaVision,hinting at the larger MCU.
Monica Rambeau
One of the main characters inWandaVisionis S.W.O.R.D. agent Monica Rambeau (Teyonha Paris). This is not the first time the character has appeared in the MCU, as audiences first saw the character as a child inCaptain Marvelplayed by Akira Akbar. She is the daughter of Carol Danvers friendMaria Rambeau (played by Lashana Lynch), who audiences find out died of cancer due during the Blip and that Monica missed it because she was one of the victims of the Blip.
The television series see Monica acquiring superpowers due to her moving in and out of Wanda’s hex, and her white and black jumpsuit is similar to her comic book characters' outfit. In the comics, Monica was actually the first woman to hold the name Captain Marvel and has taken many names, including Phasar, Spectrum, and Photon. Photon was her mother’s call sign inCaptain Marvel, sothere is an indicator that it will be her own superhero name, as Monica is set to be a major character in the upcoming film,The Marvels,which will see her team up with her auntie Carol and new superhero Ms. Marvel.
Super Friends
Alongside Monica Rambeau is the addition of other MCU supporting characters Darcy Lewis and Agent Woo.The MCU’s Darcy Lewis, played by Kat Dennings, was an intern of Jane Foster inThorand became a fellow partner inThor: The Dark World,andWandaVisionmarked the character’s first appearance in the MCU in over eight years. While the character is not expected to return to the upcomingThor: Love and Thunderand reunite with Jane and Thor, the door is now open for her to return in other MCU projects.
Related:Here’s Why WandaVision is the Best 2021 MCU Release
Jimmy Woo, played by Randall Park, was an FBI agent inAnt-Man and the Waspassigned to Scott Lang to make sure he stayed under house arrest. While a comedic foil in that film, it appears the character’s interaction with Lang rubbed off on him, as in the film he wanted to know how Scott did the closeup magic card trick, whereas byWandaVisionhe has perfected his own.
The Darkhold
WandaVisionintroduced audiences to The Darkhold, which is Agatha Harkness' possession. The Darkhold aka The Book of the Damned is a staple of Marvel Comics, written by the dark lord Chthon. The book is a book of dark magic, that Wanda is in possession of by the end of the series; it is by studying it that sets up her role inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Interestingly, this is not the first time the Darkhold has appeared in the MCU. The book previously appeared in season four ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.and in season three ofThe Runaways. It is unclear if those series are still considered canon in the MCU, and while the Darkhold in those series is visually different from the one seen inWandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessprovides an explanation, as there may be multiple copies of the book.
Commercial Breaks
ThroughoutWandaVision, audiences are given slight hints at Wanda’s past through various commercials. The first one is for Stark Industries toaster, a reference to Tony Stark and the red beeping light calls back the Stark bomb that killed Wanda’s parents. The second and third commercials for Strucker Watch and Hydra Soak bath wash reference Wanda’s history of being experimented on by Baron Von Strucker for Hydra at the beginning ofAvengers: Age of Ultron.
The next commercial is for Lagos bath towels, which is a reference to Lagos, Nigeria where Wanda’s action inCaptain America: Civil Warset forth the Sokovia Accords. With further commercials hinting at Agatha Harkness stealing Wanda’s power and the character’s depression, the commercials provide an insight into Wanda’s tragic past and how she is coping with her struggles.
Wiccan, Speed, and Young Avengers
Wanda’s twin sons Billy and Tommy are set to be major players in the MCU moving forward, as in the comics the characters are Wiccan and Speed respectively. The two characters are members of the Young Avengers, which Marvel Studios has been laying the groundwork for in many projects. First was Cassie Lang inAnt-ManandAnt-Man and the Waspwho grew up during the events ofAvengers: Endgameand will next be seen inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniawhere she is expected to suit up as Stature.
Related:Explained: How the MCU Appears to Be Assembling the Young Avengers
The Disney+ TV seriesafterWandaVision,The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,introduced Isiah Bradley and his grandson Eli Bradley, who in the comics adopts the moniker of Patriot.Hawkeyeintroduced Kate Bishop, who is a major member of The Young Avengers. RecentlyDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessintroducedAmerica Chavez (played by Xochitl Gomez), a newer member of the team in the comics. With so many Young Avengers appearing across the MCU, it is only a matter before the team assembles.
Agatha Harkness
Originally introduced as Wanda’s noisy neighbor, towards the end of the series Agnes reveals herself to be Agatha Harkness (the inimitable Kathryn Hahn), an extremely powerful witch and one of the series' primary antagonists. In the comics, Agatha is Wanda’s mentor when it comes to witchcraft, and she adopts a similar role here but in an antagonistic role.
At the end ofWandaVision, Scarlet Witch traps Agatha in a prison of her own mind having to live as her Agnes character. Leaving the character alive opened the door for her to appear again, and while many first suspected she would appear inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it was announced the character would get her ownDisney+ series,House of Harkness. How Agatha Harkness fits into the larger MCU is to be determined, but in the comics, Agatha also has ties as the babysitter of Franklin and Valerie Richards, the son and daughter of The Fantastic Four’s Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman. With the characters set to appear in the MCU, there is a chance Agatha could find her way over into that property.
The Scarlet Witch
By the timeWandaVisionpremiered in 2021, Wanda Maximoff had been a part of the MCU for seven years following her cameo at the end ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldierin 2014 and her first full-blown appearance inAvengers: Age of Ultron. The character was an Avenger and a major part in Captain America: Civil War,Avengers: Infinity War, andAvengers: Endgame,where she became a character known the world over. However, the character was never referred to by her code name,The Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), in the films despite general audiences probably knowing this as her moniker due to merchandise.
WandaVisionprovides an explanation for the Scarlet Witch moniker, as it is a being prophesied in the Darkhold and is an elemental power. The show establishes that her powers surpass that of the Sorcerer Supreme, setting her role up inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,and the character can truly finish her character evolution, to either one of the most powerful heroes or gravest threats.
