Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff joins Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but a subtle costume change teases Scarlet Witch's dark secret.

Does Scarlet Witch's new costume in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness foreshadow a sinister secret? Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange did the multiverse no favors whatsoever in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and now the sorcerer must face inter-dimensional denizens all over again in his solo movie sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Fortunately, Strange can rely on his fellow Avengers for help... or one of them, at least. Fresh from domestic sitcom bliss in WandaVision, Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff returns to the MCU alongside her fellow magician in 2022.

Considerably more powerful than she was during Avengers: Endgame, Doctor Strange finds Scarlet Witch self-isolating in the mountains, and requests her aid handling the cacophony of multiverse threats rapidly approaching. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' trailer then unveils Wanda dressed in her full Scarlet Witch regalia, hovering ominously amidst a summoning circle. Precisely why Strange needs Wanda's help - and the extent of Olsen's role in the sequel - both remain frustratingly obscured, but subtle changes to the Scarlet Witch costume might hint toward an inner darkness that Cumberbatch's master of the mystic arts has not foreseen.

Related: Why Doctor Strange Turns Evil In Multiverse Of Madness

Scarlet Witch's costume in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is not the same getup she debuted in Disney+'s WandaVision. The new version has longer sleeves covering her forearms and shoulders completely, whereas the original left them open. And while Wanda's first Scarlet Witch gear blended red and black equally, crimson dominates on the version worn in Doctor Strange 2's trailer. It's not unusual for MCU superheroes to receive cosmetic makeovers between movies. Directors and designers are evidently given a small degree of leeway to rejig and remix established costumes so long as the changes aren't drastic, and Marvel rarely bothers explaining these updated fashions in canon. Nevertheless, Wanda Maximoff's evolving clothes might betray a darker, hidden secret in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

In contrast to the likes of Captain America and Hawkeye, Wanda Maximoff's superhero costume doesn't come from the local tailor or a talented LARP enthusiast. Finally learning to harness the fabled "Scarlet Witch" Chaos magic in WandaVision's finale, the red costume was conjured by Wanda herself while fighting Agatha Harkness. A brief mental flash seemingly showed a different iteration of Scarlet Witch wearing something very similar, suggesting Wanda's MCU superhero look is actually the physical manifestation of her Scarlet Witch powers, rather than something Wanda designed herself. That means Wanda's extra sleeves could represent a portentous omen for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Essentially, the more the Scarlet Witch outfit envelops its wearer (i.e. growing new sleeves and adding more pronounced red coloring), the more the Scarlet Witch persona is overtaking Wanda. The exterior could act as a visual representation for the tug-of-war inside Wanda's mind.

WandaVision concluded with Scarlet Witch's phantom reading the legendary Darkhold, hearing the voices of Tommy and Billy, who were never real. The ending strongly suggested Wanda's Scarlet Witch alter-ego was becoming stronger, so by the time Doctor Strange drops by for a visit, Chaos power might've taken over completely. She masquerades as "normal" Wanda to fool Strange, gains access to the multiverse, then reveals her true Scarlet Witch identity whilst simultaneously confirming those long-held rumors of Wanda being Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' main antagonist. As Wanda fights back and tries taming her inner Scarlet Witch, certain parts of the costume could fade (beginning with the arms and shoulders) until only her everyday civilian clothes remain. The prevalence of Scarlet Witch's costume as an indicator of her mental state is very alike Hulk - the greener he gets, the less of Bruce Banner can he found within. Should Doctor Strange be concerned about Wanda's growing costume, or did the Scarlet Witch just fancy a new look ahead of her big screen return?

More: Doctor Strange Was Evil In No Way Home: All Evidence For MCU-Breaking Theory

Craig first began contributing to Screen Rant in 2016, several years after graduating college, and has been ranting ever since, mostly to himself in a darkened room. Having previously written for various sports and music outlets, Craig's interest soon turned to TV and film, where a steady upbringing of science fiction and comic books finally came into its own. Craig has previously been published on sites such as Den of Geek, and after many coffee-drenched hours hunched over a laptop, part-time evening work eventually turned into a full-time career covering everything from the zombie apocalypse to the Starship Enterprise via the TARDIS. Since joining the Screen Rant fold, Craig has been involved in breaking news stories and mildly controversial ranking lists, but now works predominantly as a features writer. Jim Carrey is Craig’s top acting pick and favorite topics include superheroes, anime and the unrecognized genius of the High School Musical trilogy.