I Can't Believe I Missed This Detail That Makes Agatha Harkness's MCU Return Even More Important

I know I’m not alone in hoping that Agatha Harkness returns to the MCU soon after her Agatha All Along success, but I’ve just realized one detail that makes it especially important. Agatha Harkness is a relatively minor character in Marvel Comics, debuting as a nanny to Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Richards in Marvel Comics. She goes on to train Wanda Maximoff with her magic, making her MCU characterization as her nemesis a stark departure from comic book precedent.

This isn’t the only way the MCU significantly changed Agatha Harkness. While Kathryn Hahn is arguably one of the MCU’s best-loved actresses and an excellent casting decision for the most part, she looks nothing like her comic book counterpart (at least, right up until Agatha regained her youthful appearance in 2022). Thankfully, the Agatha All Along finale rectified this glaring discrepancy – but it speaks to a longstanding issue in Marvel Movies that now makes Agatha’s continued involvement in the MCU more important.

Agatha Harkness’ Ghost Is One Of The Only Older-Appearing Women In Marvel Productions

White Hair And Wrinkles On Women Are A Rarity In The MCU And Beyond

Agatha Harkness has appeared as an older woman in Marvel Comics for decades. Making her appear much younger by casting Kathryn Hahn in the MCU, however, simply continues a trend within Marvel movies in which roles for prominent older female characters are given to younger-looking actors. Examples of prominent characters that appear younger than they do in the comics include the following:

Agatha All Along has flipped the script by debuting the fan-favorite Lilia Calderu in a prominent role, with her arc even addressing the unfortunate habit of society setting aside older women. Additionally, Agatha’s ghost, with her flowing white hair, now more closely resembles her comic book counterpart as the magic she was using to stay youthful has seemingly faded. Another stand-out older woman in the MCU, of course, is Janet Van Dyne, portrayed by the now-66-year-old Michelle Pfeiffer – one of the oldest actresses in the MCU.

With Janet Van Dyne holding the fort when it comes to the representation of older women, it’s now important that her future appearances are bolstered by Agatha. It’s worth noting, of course, that the ages of the aforementioned characters are explicable, especially in the case of Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May, who falls in the right age range for a teenager’s aunt. Still, the fact that Marvel makes a habit of avoiding gray hair and wrinkles on women is becoming particularly noticeable – and it doesn’t seem to be an issue that affects the male characters of the MCU.

The MCU Disproportionately Casts Older-Appearing Men Than Women

Some Characters Are Even Older Than Their Comic Book Counterparts

Setting aside the general age gap between the MCU’s main male cast and their female counterparts, the MCU seemingly has no qualms with casting male actors who appear more comic-accurate. Older-appearing male characters have appeared as early as Iron Man. Rene Russo’s Frigga, meanwhile, appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Odin (who is 17 years her senior), and was of a relatively accurate age – though the MCU’s Frigga still doesn’t sport the silver hair of her comic book counterpart.

There are, of course, examples of male characters being aged down as well – with He Who Remains being a recent example. Still, it doesn’t detract from the general trend seen in Marvel movies that older-appearing men are seen far more often than older-appearing women. Furthermore, some older actors are cast in roles that appear aged up from the comics, such as Robert Redford’s Alexander Pierce. Kathryn Hahn already captured two “firsts” in her Agatha All Along appearances – and I’d like to see her continue pushing boundaries by appearing as an older woman in the future of the MCU.

Where Agatha Could Next Appear In The MCU

The Agatha All Along Finale Set Up Agatha’s Return

It’s safe to say that Agatha All Along set up the return of Ghost Agatha in a future MCU installment with its ending. Now that she seems to be accompanying Billy in a role that resembles her relationship with Wanda in Marvel Comics, she will likely appear when Billy next appears. This is most likely going to be in the upcoming solo Vision series, as that show will round out the trilogy of shows that began with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along spotlighting Wanda’s family.

Another possible appearance will be in Avengers: Secret Wars as it promises to feature a who’s-who of MCU characters. Other possibilities include unconfirmed but rumored projects featuring the Young Avengers and a solo Scarlet Witch movie. Whatever the case, I think Agatha All Along made it clear that Agatha isn’t done yet, and I think that’s a great thing for representation in addition to the fact that Agatha is a fan favorite that deserves even more screen time.

Agatha Harkness, after the events of “WandaVision,” seeks to regain her magical powers. Joining forces with unexpected allies, including the son of an old adversary, she battles new mystical threats while uncovering hidden secrets in the magical realm.

Cast

Kathryn Hahn , Joe Locke , Sasheer Zamata , Ali Ahn , Okwui Okpokwasili , Debra Jo Rupp , Patti LuPone , Aubrey Plaza , David Payton , Emma Caulfield Ford , David Lengel , Asif Ali , Amos Glick , Elaine Valdes , Paria Akbarshahi , Chau Naumova , Bethany Curry , Athena Perample , Alicia Vela-Bailey , Britta Grant , Marina Mazepa

Character(s)

Agnes O’Connor / Agatha Harkness , Teen , Jennifer Kale , Alice Wu-Gulliver , Salem Seven / Vertigo , Mrs. Hart , Lilia Calderu , Rio Vidal , Herb , Dottie , Jones , Norm , Dennis the Mailman , Customer #1 , Customer #2 , Salem Seven / Coyote , Salem Seven / Crow , Salem Seven / Fox , Salem Seven / Owl , Salem Seven / Rat , Salem Seven / Snake

Release Date

September 18, 2024

Seasons

1

Showrunner

Jac Schaeffer

Number of Episodes

9

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Upcoming MCU Movies