Marvel is catching criticism after new information surfaces.
Related: Marvel Faces Backlash as ‘WandaVision’ Sequel Reportedly Adds ‘Blooded Teen Relationships’
For many years, Kevin Feige served as President of Marvel Studios, where he was responsible for overseeing the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), owned by The Walt Disney Company. The Marvel Cinematic Universe, inspired by the Marvel Comics superhero franchise of the same name, has had a significant and lasting impact on the superhero film genre, as well as the entire film industry. Properties like Avengers have left an unmistakable legacy – regardless of differing points of view on the subject.
The expansive narrative known as the “Infinity Saga” has reached its grand finale with impressive releases Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), which marks the completion of the third phase of the MCU.
The final itself left no ambiguity regarding the departure of two of Marvel’s most iconic heroes. Marvel Studios has made it clear which characters will not be featured in future films. This included an image of Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man/Tony Stark, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good, and an image of Chris Evans’ Captain America/Steve Rogers, who retired after handing over his iconic vibranium shield.
A New Wave of Marvel Stories
Related: ‘WandaVision’ spin-off actress has issues with Marvel Studios
There is now a clear opportunity for a whole new wave of superhero groups, such as Fantastic Four And X-Men to grab the spotlight. The Multiverse Saga has already begun introducing several new favorites with the MCU expanding into the realm of television – such Disney+ (Disney Plus) originals as WandaVision (2021) and Loki (2021) expands on the stories of the film’s characters.
One prime example that could make a big splash (and hopefully bring more attention to the MCU amid waning public interest) is fan-favorite character Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) and her show. Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries (previously Agatha: Clan of Chaos And Agatha: House of Harkness). Witch Agatha first debuted in WandaVision, Marvel Studios’ first offering on Disney+ captivated audiences by breaking the fourth wall to depict the seemingly perfect lives of Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and the late Vision (Paul Bettany) in the picturesque town of Westview, New Jersey.
Unfortunately, Marvel’s upcoming Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness storyline will contain some potentially disturbing details, if new reports are to be believed.
A ‘challenging’ future for Marvel Studios?
Recently, renowned Marvel and Hollywood insider CanWeGetSomeToast shared a completely new origin and storyline for the Marvel characters that will be introduced in the upcoming film. Agatha Marvel TV series.
A source shared on Twitter (now X) that according to previous reports, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch’s lost son is from WandaVisionBilly Maximoff, found his way back into the main MCU universe in a seemingly “problematic” way, seemingly quite confident that Marvel Studios was set on this superhero origin of the Billy Maximoff/Billy Kaplan/Wiccan character from Marvel Comics. :
It’s right. The “real Billy” is actually William Kaplan, who died in a car accident. Billy’s soul (stuck in limbo after the spell was broken) finds refuge in William’s body as his soul leaves the #AgathaDarkholdDiaries.
Yes, this is problematic. No, that won’t change.
It’s right. The “real Billy” is actually William Kaplan, who died in a car accident. Billy’s soul (stuck in limbo after the spell was broken) finds refuge in William’s body as his soul leaves William’s body. #AgathaDarkholdDiaries.
Yes, this is problematic. No, that won’t change. https://t.co/3KisOG95uB pic.twitter.com/D6Pa6fTAsn
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) September 24, 2023
Now, many fans have wondered why this is “problematic” and then the truth of the problem has come to light, as detailed by Jewish Marvel fan @comicyehu, who called this Marvel Studios plot “legitimately insane.” They went on to explain that reincarnation (as per the original Marvel comics story) is a Jewish belief, and that “corpses are super sacred”:
@comicyehu: uhhh, at least as far as Jewish beliefs and such go, reincarnation is something we believe in, but corpses are kind of super sacred. Plus this origin has a non-Jewish soul jumping into a Jewish body, which is even WEIRD.
@CanWeGetToast: Ahh okay, I didn’t know anything about Jewish beliefs in reincarnation and how the origins of the comics actually tied into those beliefs and what would happen in the series. I understand why a non-Jewish soul jumping into a Jewish body is anti-Semitic. I’m sorry that Marvel continues to lose sight of its Jewish representation.
Thanks for teaching me! ❤️
Ahh, okay, I didn’t know anything about Jewish beliefs in reincarnation and how the origins of the comics actually tied into those beliefs and what would happen in the series. I understand why a non-Jewish soul jumping into a Jewish body is anti-Semitic. I’m sorry that Marvel continues to hurt its Jews…
— CanWeGetSomeToast (@CanWeGetToast) September 5, 2023
This whole “body-hopping” conundrum isn’t the only point of contention: as user Stephen T adds, the “Jewish body” in question is also the body of seemingly non-Jewish actor Joe Locke:
I guess Joe Locke is the body that Billy’s soul jumps into? And he’s also a non-Jewish actor who I assume will play a Jew.
I guess Joe Locke is the body that Billy’s soul jumps into? And he’s also a non-Jewish actor who I assume will play a Jew.
— Stephen T (@steventphoto) September 25, 2023
Overall, this seems like an issue that could turn into an even bigger controversy for Marvel Studios if Disney and the studio decide to continue with this storyline.
Once again, the series becomes known either through commercials or trailers (or perhaps even when the show airs), and more attention will naturally be paid to Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries. And his potentially insensitive nature and history if the reports turn out to be true.
Do you think Marvel Studios will go ahead with their plan to introduce Wiccan in Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries? It is a bad idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
More details Hon Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries
Currently, two spin-off series produced by WandaVision are playing a key role in expanding the narrative. These include Vision Quest, which is expected to premiere around 2025, and Agatha: The Darkhold Diaries, which centers on Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness.
While Kathryn Hahn is reprising her role as Agatha and leading a coven of witches in the upcoming Marvel series, it has been officially announced that several actors, including Aubrey Plaza, Ali An and Maria Dizzia, have been cast in undisclosed roles. Notably, Joe Locke (of Heartstopper fame) will play Billy Maximoff/Billy Caplan, the son of Wanda and the Marvel superhero Wiccan. Sasheer Zamata will play the role of the sorceress Jennifer Kale.
This creative direction appears to reflect the “musical theater” style of the Disney+ show, taking inspiration from the surprise success of songs like “Agatha All Along.” Adding to the intrigue are acclaimed lyricists and composers Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, known for their work on Broadway hits like The Book of Mormon and Disney’s Frozen, who created the memorable jingles featured in WandaVision. Additionally, Broadway icon Patti LuPone will play the role of an older witch named Lilia Caldera in the central coven of witches. Returning to the series are Debra Jo Rapp as Mrs. Hart and Fred Melamed as Arthur Hart.