MCU: 5 Ways Stephen Strange And Wanda Maximoff Are Similar (& 5 Ways They’re Different)

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is set to build off of the multiverse introduced in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but is also set to have Wanda Maximoff, the new Scarlet Witch, team up with Dr. Stephen Strange in order to handle the fracture in reality. As a result, several questions and theories about the film have risen amongst fans, namely what the relationship between Wanda and Strange would be in the film.

Many are excited to see Stephen Strange and Wanda Maximoff finally interact with one another on-screen and are interested in seeing if their similarities and differences will bring the magicians together or keep them further apart. 

How Are Stephen And Wanda Similar? 

They Have Utilized The Power Of An Infinity Stone 

In Doctor Strange, it was revealed the green gem inside the Eye of Agamotto that Stephen used to bargain with Dormammu was the Time Stone. Without the ability to manipulate time, the sorcerers would have lost the fight as the time stone was the only way to restore the Hong Kong sanctum after it had fallen. 

In “Previously On” on WandaVision, Agatha Harkness shares insight into her powers. The Mind Stone was used in the HYDRA experiments which, according to Agatha, awakens and strengthens the magic that has been inside Wanda all along. Both did by themselves what many believed was impossible in other MCU movies, connect with an Infinity Stone with little consequence, which proves their power and capabilities. 

They Really Only Have Themself 

As sad as it may be, Stephen and Wanda are quite alone. The only true companion Stephen seems to have is Wong, who is constantly leaving the Sanctum Sanctorum as he pops up in other MCU properties. Christine Palmer, the woman he loves and once was romantically involved with, appears to be getting married to someone else in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer.

Wanda’s parents died when she was only a child, her brother Pietro died in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, and she lost Vision twice in Avengers: Infinity War alone. In the season finale of WandaVision, she loses Vision and her kids Billy and Tommy as well, leaving her truly by herself. The pair know loneliness intimately and that great power doesn’t mean great happiness in the slightest. 

They Were Both Prophesied Before Realizing Their Power 

In Avengers: Endgame, when the team goes back in time to collect their Infinity Stones, Bruce Banner visits the Sanctum Sanctorum in 2012 to retrieve the Time Stone and meets the Ancient One, who reveals that Strange is meant to be the strongest of them. 

In the season finale of WandaVision, Agatha tells Wanda all about the Scarlet Witch, which was meant to be a myth. Wanda embraces this identity by the end of the series although she knew nothing about witchcraft until mere hours before doing so. Despite not knowing it, both Strange and Wanda were connected with great destinies for Mystic Arts, which took their characters to new and interesting places without realizing it. 

They Are Both Quick Learners 

Whether it’s the mystic arts or witchcraft techniques, these magicians have proven to be especially fast learners. In Doctor Strange, Stephen excels quickly and even begins to break a few rules at Kamar-Taj to learn outside of the regular lessons as they were just moving too slow for his liking. It is even revealed that Stephen earned his Ph.D. and MD simultaneously, only further demonstrating how much knowledge he can take in at once. 

At the beginning of “The Series Finale” of WandaVision, Wanda is introduced to the runes witches often use for the first time in her. She rapidly learns what they look like and what they are used for to use them to her benefit towards the end of the very same episode. Audiences also see her mimic Agatha’s power to vanish and reappear at a different spot, which highlights her cleverness and lack of fear in trying something to win a battle. 

They Let Their Desperation Consume Them After A Loss 

Both Stephen and Wanda have lost the things that meant the most to them, Stephen injuring his hands after his car accident and therefore losing his neurosurgeon job, and Wanda losing Vision after the event of Avengers: Infinity War. After his wreck, Stephen did anything he could to have his hands heal to the state that they were before the accident until he eventually learned about magic at Kamar-Taj. 

When Wanda returned after The Blip and was told she couldn’t even throw a proper funeral for Vision, she visited the plot in Westview, New Jersey. At that moment, the desperation mixed with the overwhelming grief lead to the creation of The Hex in WandaVision. With the need to save the multiverse after No Way Home and to find her children after the post-credit WandaVision scene, Wanda and Strange will be driven to handle whatever chaos occurs in Multiverse of Madness. 

How Are Stephen And Wanda Different?

Stephen Got His Powers For More Selfish Reasons 

While Stephen and Wanda have both competed for the strongest Avenger because of their great powers, the two of them got their powers for completely different reasons. Stephen only sought out the mystic arts to heal his hands after severely injuring them in a car accident. He only wanted magic in order to fix his hands to become a famous neurosurgeon, not out of any sort of common good to benefit others.

This political climate in Sokovia is what led Wanda and Pietro to volunteer for Hyrda’s experiments. The twins simply wanted to assist and protect their country however they could, there was no ulterior or selfish motive to them gaining their superpowers. At least, Wanda, even if she teamed up with bad people, wanted to help others in whatever way she could

Wanda’s Never Known True Luxury

Though both magicians wound up in similar positions in their lives by fighting against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, Stephen and Wanda have grown up with very different backgrounds. Stephen is used to a more luxurious lifestyle, graduating from Columbia University with several qualifications and becoming a renowned neurosurgeon. He was accustomed to expensive sports cars and a high-end apartment, while Wanda grew up impoverished in a war-torn country. 

As a result, Wanda gained the power to get people to care about what was going on in Sokovia. Strange, meanwhile, didn’t care about anyone outside of himself until he lost the use of his hands in his car accident. These conflicting backgrounds, much like Wanda and Tony Stark’s relationship, could put them at odds with each other easily.

Stephen Learned Magic, Wanda Was Born With It 

While the Ancient One had initially kicked Stephen out of Kamar-Taj at the beginning of Doctor Strange, Stephen had to learn everything about magic from other skilled sorcerers, but Wanda didn’t take courses or classes about magic from anyone. Magic, as learned in “Previously On” on WandaVision, had been a part of her life since she was little, even if she didn’t know it. 

Agatha recognizes a protection spell in Wanda’s childhood memories that prevented the second missile that struck the Maximoff household from going off and killing Wanda and Pietro. The magical powers she possesses can vastly outstrip a lot of sorcerers in the MCU, possibly even Strange, which makes Wanda’s lack of training an interesting piece to explore in the upcoming team-up between the pair. 

Wanda Doesn’t Need Any Relics 

The many masters of the mystic arts utilize ancient relics to help channel their magic and use it in different ways. For example, Stephen often relies on the Cloak of Levitation when in a battle to give him an advantage. it helps boost his powers to new heights.

Wanda, on the other hand, doesn’t need any type of relic. She can use her magic in multiple ways, whether it be to fly, manipulate minds or change reality, all on her own with the assistance of any kind of tool. All she needs is confidence in her abilities to make her magic work. 

Stephen Doesn’t Accept Consolation From A Loved One 

It is no question that Stephen and Wanda have experienced loss, but the way they react to those wanting to help differs greatly. In Doctor Strange, Christine does her best to look after Stephen as he is getting back on his feet after his car accident, but he refuses any comfort that she tries to provide him, which drives her away. 

When Vision attempts to console Wanda after losing Pietro, Wanda invites him to set on her bed with her and watch TV. They have a real conversation, Wanda even apologizes after getting a bit defensive. Instead, Wanda enjoys the shared moment with Vision.

About The Author