Avengers: Doomsday – Could Ian McKellen's Casting Retcon Scarlet Witch And Quicksilver's MCU Origin?

Henrik Larsen

5 min read

Post on May 13, 2025

4.0

Share

The Current MCU Origin Story and its Shortcomings

Wanda and Pietro Maximoff's current MCU origin story centers around their tragic experiences in Sokovia, where they were subjected to Hydra's experiments with the Mind Stone, granting them their extraordinary abilities. While this introduction served its purpose in Avengers: Age of Ultron, it falls short in several key areas. The narrative feels rushed, lacking the depth and complexity of their comic book counterparts. Their trauma, while acknowledged, isn't fully explored, leaving their motivations somewhat unclear.

Critiques of this origin story frequently cite:

• Lack of depth in their trauma: The Sokovia events are presented as a catalyst for their powers, but the emotional and psychological impact isn't fully fleshed out. Their motivations often feel secondary to the plot's larger demands.
• Inconsistency with established X-Men lore: The omission of their parentage—Magneto and their mutant nature—creates a disconnect from established X-Men lore, leaving a significant gap in their backstory. This omission limits the exploration of their powers' true potential.
• Missed opportunity to explore their familial bonds: The sibling bond between Wanda and Pietro, while present, could have been explored more deeply, adding emotional weight to their individual struggles and providing more compelling character arcs.

Ian McKellen as Magneto: A Powerful Retcon Opportunity

Ian McKellen's portrayal of Magneto in the X-Men film franchise is iconic. His performance captured the character's complex motivations, making him both a compelling villain and a tragic figure. Casting McKellen as Magneto in Avengers: Doomsday presents a golden opportunity to retcon Wanda and Pietro's origin story, creating a far more satisfying and thematically resonant narrative.

Several compelling aspects support this idea:

• McKellen's established gravitas and acting prowess: His ability to portray nuanced characters with compelling depth would elevate the story significantly. His performance would bring a level of gravitas that would enhance the emotional resonance of Wanda and Pietro's narrative.
• Casting McKellen allows for a faithful adaptation of Wanda and Pietro's comic book parentage: This addresses the biggest criticism of their current MCU origin, firmly establishing their connection to the broader X-Men universe and explaining their powers' origins organically.
• This retcon provides a rich backstory: It would naturally explain their powers, their motivations, and the underlying reasons for their actions throughout the MCU, tying together loose ends and adding considerable depth.

Exploring the Narrative Possibilities of a Magneto-Centric Origin

Introducing Magneto opens up a wealth of narrative possibilities. A Avengers: Doomsday storyline could explore Magneto's involvement in Sokovia, perhaps even revealing his actions as a catalyst for the events that lead to Wanda and Pietro's trauma. This could provide a far more compelling explanation for their powers and their deep-seated resentment towards humanity. The film could explore their relationship with their father, the challenges they faced growing up as mutants, and the difficult choices they made in the wake of their experiences.

Potential plot points include:

• Developing a more complex and morally gray Magneto: We could see a Magneto wrestling with his own moral ambiguities, torn between his desire for mutant survival and his love for his children.
• Exploring themes of family, loss, and redemption: The story could focus on the complex dynamics within their family, the devastating loss they suffered, and the possibility of redemption and reconciliation.
• Providing a more satisfying explanation for Wanda's chaotic magic: Magneto's presence could offer a deeper understanding of the source of Wanda's abilities, and why her magic is so unpredictable and powerful.

The Challenges and Considerations of a Major Retcon

Retconning established MCU canon is inherently risky. It requires careful execution to avoid alienating fans who have grown accustomed to the current narrative. However, the potential rewards—a richer, more satisfying story—make it a worthwhile endeavor.

The success of such a retcon hinges upon:

• Balancing fan expectations with narrative improvements: The changes must feel organic and justified, adding to the existing narrative rather than contradicting it unnecessarily.
• Maintaining consistency with other MCU storylines: The retcon needs to seamlessly integrate with the established timeline and characters without creating plot holes or inconsistencies.
• The importance of a well-written and compelling narrative: The quality of the writing and execution will ultimately determine whether the retcon succeeds or fails. A poorly executed retcon can damage the overall integrity of the MCU.

Conclusion

Casting Ian McKellen as Magneto in a hypothetical Avengers: Doomsday could offer a powerful retcon of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver's MCU origin story. It could provide a richer, more satisfying narrative firmly rooted in their comic book heritage, addressing many of the shortcomings of their current storyline. While a major retcon carries inherent risks, the potential rewards, especially with such a talented actor, are substantial. A well-executed Avengers: Doomsday with this casting could significantly elevate their character arcs and add a new layer of depth to the overall MCU narrative.

What are your thoughts? Could Ian McKellen's casting truly revolutionize Wanda and Pietro's MCU story? Share your opinions on the potential of an Avengers: Doomsday scenario to reshape the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver origin story in the comments below! Let's discuss the possibilities of this exciting Avengers: Doomsday retcon!