Every Way WandaVision Sets Up The MCU's Phase 4 Future
As Marvel Studios launched its new age of storytelling with WandaVision, the show functions as a springboard for the rest of MCU Phase 4.
As the first Marvel Studios TV series on Disney+, WandaVision sets up several upcoming MCU Phase 4 movies and shows. The Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany-led series wrapped up its nine-episode run with a finale that has spawned various opinions; some liked how it kept the show character-driven, primarily focusing on Wanda's personal arc, while others were let down with how almost none of the floating theories about the show came to fruition. But, it's important to remember that WandaVision is just the beginning of this new age of storytelling for Marvel Studios, with a stacked slate on its heels.
Originally, WandaVision wasn't going to kick off MCU Phase 4 and not even be its first Disney+ content. But due to the coronavirus pandemic that forced Hollywood and the rest of the world to a standstill, Marvel Studios had to reshuffle their schedule a couple of times; that includes pushing back its movie slate and leading with its small screen offerings. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was supposed to open up this new age of storytelling for the franchise, but due to delays in production, WandaVision was rolled out ahead of it.
In hindsight, it seemed to work for the best for Marvel Studios; not only did the show become a hit, establishing what to be expected in terms of quality from their Disney+ content, but it also set up several upcoming stories. While some of them are very straightforward, like Scarlet Witch's ending being a springboard for her encounter with Doctor Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, others are subtle. Here's how the events of WandaVision lead up to the rest of Phase 4.
Marvel Studios isn't taking a long break between their Disney+ shows, with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier releasing almost straight after WandaVision. As with their films, Marvel Studios is going in an entirely different direction when it comes to tone and genre, with their next endeavor to keep superhero fatigue at bay; instead of further exploring the magical pocket of the MCU, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be more grounded as it tackles Captain America's legacy. While the shows couldn't be any more different, they both deal with the reinstatement of the Sokovia Accords. As established in WandaVision, the mandate is still in effect, making it easier for Hayward to paint Wanda as the villain for his personal goals. Sam and Bucky, more likely, will be subjected to the same treatment as they're also from Team Cap; this is already hinted at with Falcon being stripped off of his claim to the Captain America shield and mantle.
After The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the next MCU series for Disney+ is Loki. Jumping off the New York leg of Avengers: Endgame's time heist, the show takes place in an alternate timeline, which means it doesn't have any effect on the prime MCU story (unless it crosses over into it). Given this, WandaVision doesn't have any straightforward lead up to Loki, but episode 7, "Breaking the Fourth Wall" featured a commercial that directly referencing Nexus Beings in the MCU, hinting that, like in the comics, Scarlet Witch is one. The involvement of the Time Variance Authority aka TVA in Loki can mean that the God of Mischief is also a Nexus Being, considering that the organization is heavily involved with such powerful creatures in the comics.
WandaVision was expected to be a cornerstone for Marvel Studios' attempt to build the multiverse like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is confirmed to connect to Spider-Man: No Way Home, but that didn't happen. Instead, it focused on a mostly-contained narrative tackling Wanda's suppressed grief following a series of tragedies capped by Vision's death in Avengers: Infinity War.
As she dealt with her personal issues, the show simultaneously showcased just how powerful she is, ending the series with the Scarlet Witch being born. While WandaVision didn't explicitly establish the multiverse, Wanda's capabilities, coupled with the idea of learning primarily from the Darkhold, might result in her inadvertently wreaking dimensional havoc. This can lead to universes colliding, making rumors about Spider-Man: No Way Home featuring other wall-crawling versions of the heroes from other dimensions, such as Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield's, possible.
Setting up Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was expected of WandaVision as Scarlet Witch is involved in the film, but instead of having the future MCU Sorcerer Supreme simply show up, Marvel Studios took a more creative approach. Aside from being name-dropped by Agatha Harkness in the final battle, saying that Scarlet Witch is more powerful than him, Wanda's future path sets up a collision between her and Doctor Strange. As Scarlet Witch, she is supposedly destined to destroy the world, regardless if it's intentional or not; with her drawing knowledge from the Darkhold, this makes this a closer reality. This effectively pits her against Doctor Strange and the Masters of the Mystic Arts, who are tasked with protecting Earth from magical threats like her. WandaVision may have also secretly set up the arrival of Nightmare in the MCU - the long-rumored villain for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Wanda isn't the only one who still has a long future in the MCU; WandaVision also re-introduced Monica Rambeau, who is now an adult. She first debuted in the 1995-set Captain Marvel; Monica had her own arc in the series, starting with her return from being blipped to finding herself as Geraldine inside the hex. WandaVision was also able to establish her spectrum powers, and while she hasn't assumed her superhero identity yet, she will sooner or later become the MCU's Photon. After her small screen appearance, she's confirmed to return in Captain Marvel 2, reuniting her with Carol Danvers and there might be some drama ahead of them. Despite their shared affection for her mom, Maria Rambeau, it was strongly hinted that she has changed her mind and is no longer fond of her "auntie Carol."
Spider-Man: Far From Home established that Skrulls exist in the modern-day MCU and WandaVision's post-credit scene followed up on that with Nick Fury sending one of his own agents-in-disguise to call for her following the events of the Maximoff Anomaly. While the former S.H.I.E.L.D. director wasn't shown on-screen, it's suggested that he's ready to let Monica in whatever special operations he was occupied with in the stinger for Spider-Man: Far From Home. That could include the perceived threat that will properly play out in the upcoming Secret Invasion series on Disney+. As someone who has previous experience dealing with Skrulls, Monica can be a pivotal asset in Fury's adventures.
While the Vision inside the hex disappeared when Wanda took down the spell in the WandaVision finale, White Vision is still in existence, and unlike when he was initially booted back up, he now has a recollection of his memories prior to his death in Avengers: Infinity War. This makes his re-emergence in Phase 4 likely despite WandaVision not giving any clues as to where might have gone following his epiphany. There are few upcoming shows that he could appear in; firstly, Armor Wars with War Machine. Since the synthezoid was the brainchild of Tony Stark and Ultron, and the upcoming show will be about villains attempting to acquire his tech, he could be one of the assets that the bad guys try to control — similar to what Hayward tried doing in WandaVision.
In conjunction, he could also return in Ironheart — another upcoming series that explores Iron Man's legacy and be of help to Riri Williams who will build her own suit of armor. Finally, it's safe to say that Scarlet Witch will ultimately reunite with White Vision, and since Wanda's next MCU outing is in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it's possible that the sequel will show how their paths will once again cross.