Why Elizabeth Olsen Says Marvel Isn’t ‘Her Art’ Despite Embracing Scarlet Witch

In a recent interview on NPR’s Wild Card with Rachel Martin podcast, Elizabeth Olsen opened up about her decade-long involvement with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and how it has influenced her personal relationship with the projects she chooses. The WandaVision star, who has become synonymous with her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlet Witch), offered a candid reflection on her career, the impact of her role in the MCU, and how her personal artistic preferences sometimes conflict with her professional commitments to the franchise.

Context and Career Reflections

Elizabeth Olsen first appeared as Wanda Maximoff in a post-credits scene in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), and has since expanded her role across multiple major MCU films, including Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). She also headlined the critically acclaimed Disney+ series WandaVision (2021), which earned her an Emmy nomination. Over the years, Olsen has become an integral part of the MCU, with her character’s journey resonating with audiences worldwide. However, as she reflected in her April 2025 interview, her deep commitment to the superhero genre hasn’t always aligned with her personal artistic preferences.

In her conversation with Rachel Martin, Olsen addressed how her involvement with Marvel has impacted her career choices, stating, “I think I haven’t always successfully made choices in my work that are aligned with my personal taste and that is something I feel like I’m still trying to prove.” This reflection signals a desire for creative freedom and the need to diversify her portfolio, something that she continues to navigate despite her highly successful tenure within the Marvel universe.

The Pivotal Quote: A Deliberate Shift

The key moment in Olsen’s interview came when she candidly stated: “Because I have spent so many years doing Marvel that I feel like all the other jobs I have to do have to really reflect my personal taste because as much as I love being a part of this world — and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do with the character — it’s not really the art that I consume. Which I have been very honest about.” This statement encapsulates Olsen’s current artistic stance: while she is proud of her role as Wanda Maximoff, she is equally clear that the superhero genre does not align with her personal artistic preferences.

Olsen further elaborated on this by discussing how her initial interest in joining the MCU stemmed from a fascination with its “Greek-type scale stories,” which often reflected politics and culture. However, she also acknowledged that “the narrative around Marvel movies has changed over the last 10 years,” suggesting that both the franchise’s focus and her own artistic sensibilities have evolved, contributing to her current perspective.

Artistic Identity and Career Strategy

Olsen’s comments underscore a key challenge that many actors in long-running franchises face: the risk of being typecast. Her portrayal of Scarlet Witch is iconic, but it has also shaped public and industry perceptions of her career, often leading to the assumption that she is primarily a “Marvel actress.” This can limit her opportunities in other genres or artistic realms that she finds more personally fulfilling. In the interview, Olsen expressed a desire to prove her artistic identity outside of the MCU, stating that she still feels a need to “prove” her creative preferences in professional settings.

This notion of balancing the commercial success of a blockbuster franchise with a desire for more indie and personal projects is not unique to Olsen. Many actors, such as Christian Bale, who famously starred in The Dark Knight trilogy, have voiced similar feelings about their involvement in large franchises. Bale has referred to his role in superhero films as “a gig,” suggesting that his focus is more on the work itself rather than the genre. Olsen’s reflections seem to align with this broader sentiment among actors in major franchises, indicating a growing trend of separating professional commitments from personal artistic expression.

Public and Industry Reactions

The public reaction to Olsen’s comments has been mixed. On platforms like Reddit and ResetEra, fans have expressed admiration for her honesty and willingness to step outside of the mold that her Marvel role might have created. Some fans appreciate that Olsen has not only embraced her role as Wanda Maximoff but also remains true to her own artistic sensibilities, even if they diverge from the mainstream superhero genre.

Others, however, question how her desire to shift away from Marvel might affect her future in the MCU, especially given her character’s prominent role in ongoing MCU storylines. Some commenters have noted that while they respect Olsen’s desire for creative freedom, they are curious about how her evolving preferences might impact her continued involvement in superhero films.

Comparative Analysis with Other Actors

Olsen’s reflections on balancing her Marvel role with her personal artistic tastes are reminiscent of other actors who have navigated similar paths. Like Bale, many actors in superhero franchises are often compelled to separate their professional work from their personal passions. For actors like Olsen, this divide can be difficult, as the immense popularity of franchises like the MCU often leads to public expectations that may not align with their personal creative aspirations.

Conclusion

Elizabeth Olsen’s comments about her relationship with the MCU offer a rare, honest glimpse into the complexities of being an actor within a massive, globally influential franchise. While she has no regrets about her role as Wanda Maximoff, her desire to pursue projects more in line with her personal artistic tastes highlights the ongoing challenge of navigating fame and typecasting in Hollywood. Her candid reflections not only offer insights into her own artistic evolution but also raise important questions about the balance between commercial success and personal fulfillment in the entertainment industry. As Olsen continues to explore diverse roles, it will be fascinating to see how her career develops beyond the superhero genre and whether she will continue to prove that her artistic identity is broader than the Marvel universe.