Elizabeth Olsen discussed her role as Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), highlighting its impact on her career and her character-driven approach to returning. She also reflected on how the role has provided stability and allowed her to pursue indie projects.
Elizabeth Olsen explains how Scarlet Witch role gives ‘freedom to choose other jobs’
Elizabeth Olsen has explained how her role as Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has shaped her career. At the 2024 Vulture Festival, she stated, “I’d never really had the mentality of ‘one for them, one for me.’ Marvel has been such a consistent thing I’ve been able to return to and has created — what’s the word? — some feeling of insurance in my life that has given me freedom to choose other jobs. So I haven’t felt like, ‘And then I’ll do this to do this’” (via Deadline).
She further explained that her return to Marvel projects has always been deliberate. “Every time, it’s character-driven,” she said. “It’s always like, ‘We have this idea, and that’s why we want you to come back.’ It’s not like, ‘Just throw her in something.’”
Olsen discussed the connection between blockbuster films and smaller projects, stating, “I do think that’s the relationship.” She referred to how large productions help sustain smaller films in theaters.
The actor stated her willingness to return to the MCU, saying, “It’s a character that I love going back to when there’s a way to use her well. … If there’s a good way to use her I’m always happy to come back.”
Outside Marvel, Olsen has worked on projects like The Assessment and Love Child. Of the latter, she said, “I’ve never hustled more for a movie that’s having a hard time being made,” highlighting the challenges of independent filmmaking.
