Scarlet Witch is Finally Getting Her Own TV Series…So Why Does Vision Get Top Billing?

When news broke that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was extending its reach to the small screen, we were excited. Why wouldn’t we be? In addition to the Netflix Marvel shows and ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., some of our favorite MCU heroes would be getting their own miniseries on Disney’s new streaming channel, Disney+.

Among the first to be announced were solo series for Loki and the Scarlet Witch, as well as a buddy team-up for Falcon and Bucky Barnes. We were especially amped for a Scarlet Witch solo series, as Wanda Maximoff is probably the Avenger most lacking in screentime. Given that she’s easily one of the most powerful heroes, giving her a miniseries only makes sense. So imagine our frustration when Deadline low key announced that her series would be titled Vision and The Scarlet Witch.

What kind of Ant-Man and The Wasp nonsense is this?! Scarlet Witch doesn’t even get to headline her own damn show? There are SO MANY Scarlet Witch stories to tell, but Marvel is instead centering the show on the MCU’s least compelling couple. I’m sorry, but I don’t care about Vision and Wanda’s love story. Marvel expects us to be heavily invested in a relationship that has, thus far, taken place largely offscreen, and Infinity War largely sidelined Wanda’s powers so she could babysit her boyfriend and protect the Mind Stone.

Maybe the miniseries will flesh out their relationship, but I have to say that’s the show I’m least interested in watching. Maybe it’s because Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen don’t have the chemistry, maybe it’s because he’s 18 years older than her, but this pairing really leaves me cold. What’s next? A solo Black Widow movie that focuses on her relationship with Bruce Banner?

Folks took to social media to express their disappointment at the title:

Putting Vision’s name first in a show originally intended for Scarlet Witch is a slap in the face, and proof that Marvel is nervous about a woman toplining her own series. It’s a vote of no confidence in a legacy character that has been around since the 1960’s. Marvel has already proven that they can turn literally any property into profit, yet they continually pull back when it comes to their female characters. I mean, the fact that we got a movie about a sentient tree and a talking raccoon before we got a film about a solo female character speaks volumes.

Marvel clearly wants to rectify their “female problem” with Captain Marvel coming out in March and a planned Black Widow solo film. Their new streaming series should be afforded the same consideration.

(via Deadline, image: Zade Rosenthal/Marvel))

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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