Kathryn Hahn’s MCU Return Could Be a ‘Doctor Strange 2’ Cameo, Fans Predict
Kathryn Hahn is a gifted actor, best known for her work in comedy. Her wacky charm lit up the screen in blockbuster comedies like Bad Moms, Step Brothers, and Anchorman. She proved that she can also bring an animated character to life with her voice performance as Olivia Octavius in Into the Spider-Verse.
Although Hahn has always been a solid performer, she is often overlooked or cast in supporting roles. She shines in whatever role she’s given, but she rarely gets credit for her incredible talents. That’s all changed after her most recent performance in Disney+’s smash hit, WandaVision. MCU fans are even predicting that her character from WandaVision might lead to a cameo in Doctor Strange 2…
Agatha Harkness: 1 of the most powerful witches in Marvel history
Right from the beginning of WandaVision, it was apparent that Hahn was fully embracing the stereotypical nosy suburban neighbor role. She played her part perfectly, with just the right amount of over-the-top chattiness and insatiable curiosity. Fans speculated early on about Agnes’ true identity. Many suspected the seemingly aloof neighbor was really the far more crafty Agatha Harkness.
Those familiar with the comics know that Agatha Harkness is a witch that’s been around for thousands of years. Living in Salem during the witch trials, Harkness decided to move her own coven to an isolated place in the mountains of Colorado. They called the town “New Salem.”
Harkness eventually married and had one child, Nicholas Scratch. Her son became a mortal enemy, believing that his mother’s involvement in the outside world was a danger to the rest of them. He fathered seven children and used them to create his own coven, known as “Salem’s Seven.”
The powerful witch debuted in Marvel comics in 1970. She was a part of the Fantastic Four for quite some time, working as a nanny to Susan and Reed Richards’ son, Franklin. Harkness was drawn to the child’s potential power–the witch had become fond of teaching others how to use their powers to their full potential.
Eventually, Harkness took Wanda Maximoff under her wing. She tried to help the young Scarlet Witch learn how to harness her unstable powers, and she built a strong bond with Maximoff.
Harkness was behind the mischievous events in ‘WandaVision’
Throughout the comics, Harkness really isn’t a true villain. She’s also not a hero by any means, despite her attempts to tutor others with magical powers. She operates in a hazy, gray area that’s neither good nor evil.
WandaVision‘s Harkness leans a bit more toward villainy. When the big reveal happens (accompanied by a very popular theme song, by the way), viewers learn that their hunch was right, and Harkness was behind all of the mess happening in Westview. She’d been manipulating reality throughout every episode of the series up until we learned her true identity.
Viewers catch a glimpse into Harkness’ past (a sort of origin story, if you will). They learn that her old coven turned against her, but that she overpowered them in the end. She is intrigued (some might say obsessed) by Wanda’s powers, and her ability to control the entire town.
When Harkness finally comes up with her theory about Wanda’s “chaos magic”, all of her meddling and the torture she’s caused backfire on her. Wanda embraces her full power, and easily defeats the older witch. However, before she totally obliterates Harkness, she is reminded that Agatha might be able to help her in the future. So to punish her for her meddling, she traps her in the role of Agnes forever.
Will we see Kathryn Hahn in ‘Doctor Strange 2’?
In a recent interview with The Direct, Kevin Fiege (president of Marvel) hinted that we will be seeing Agatha Harkness in the MCU soon:
“Someday. Someday soon. You will see Kathryn Hahn in Knives Out 2 next, then maybe an assortment of other things. But within the MCU, it can’t come soon enough. Let’s put it that way.”
Fans heard the news and immediately took to Reddit to share their opinions on the Marvel lead’s comment. Everyone seems to be in agreement that Harkness fits into the upcoming sequel to Doctor Strange, and they expect to see Hahn at least make a cameo appearance in the film. “Not surprised, she’ll probably be in Doctor Strange 2 since Feige confirmed that WandaVision ties directly into it. Great character, super excited for the all the things that show set up.”
Early in WandaVision, fans thought connections between the series and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness were obvious — it’s right in the title. They assumed the series would explore and set up a connection for the multiverse plot of the next film. However, after seeing how the series panned out, it seems the real connection is between the discovery of more individuals with the power to harness magic…
Marvel fans will just have to wait and see — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is scheduled for release on March 25, 2022.
