Elizabeth Olsen just can’t quit Wanda Maximoff. And honestly, why should she? The multiverse may be chaotic, but one thing’s for sure: the Scarlet Witch isn’t done yet. Olsen will officially return to voice her character in the upcoming animated series, Marvel Zombies. A return that’s bound to give the franchise some serious undead flair.
Marvel Zombies picks up from the “What If…?” episode titled “What If…ZOMBIES?!”—a timeline where, thanks to a well-meaning but ultimately catastrophic rescue mission by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), a zombie virus was unleashed. The infected Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) brought back more than just Quantum Realm dust, spreading the undead plague across the galaxy. Even the Avengers fell, with the final scene showing a zombified Thanos, complete with his beloved Infinity Gauntlet. Now, Marvel Zombies will explore the fallout of this alternate universe, focusing on the remaining heroes’ struggle against the ever-growing undead threat.
Olsen has been an MVP of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. After the pandemic slowed down the franchise’s output, Olsen’s WandaVision was a key piece in Marvel’s Disney+ resurgence. This first Marvel Studios show on Disney+ set the tone for Phase 4, eventually leading to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Olsen shined as the tragic villain opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s sorcerer, bringing a chilling arc to life that grossed a whopping $955 million worldwide.
In Marvel Zombies, Olsen will be joined by a powerhouse voice cast that includes Awkwafina, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Randall Park, Florence Pugh, Hailee Steinfeld, Dominique Thorne, Iman Vellani, and Todd Williams. The series will be a four-episode, TV-MA-rated thrill ride, diving headfirst into Marvel’s more grotesque side as it explores the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse. Expect to see some familiar faces in zombie form, including Ghost, Abomination, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Hawkeye, Okoye, and Captain America, while non-zombified survivors like Jimmy Woo, Kate Bishop, Yelena, Shang Chi, and Ms. Marvel battle the ever-growing undead menace.
During a recent Disney fan event, audiences were treated to a preview showcasing some intense zombie action featuring Wenwu, Shang-Chi, and Katy. The Ten Rings played a crucial role in fending off the infection, with Wenwu sacrificing himself to save his son. Five years later, Shang-Chi and Katy are still fighting, using the power of the Ten Rings to take on zombie biker Skrulls in a post-apocalyptic wasteland that feels like a mashup of Mad Max with just a touch of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
While Marvel Zombies might be the perfect undead playground for Wanda’s return, fans still hold out hope for a live-action comeback. Olsen’s last major outing as the Scarlet Witch left her fate looking murky at best—she appeared to meet her end in Multiverse of Madness. But then again, this is the MCU, where “dead” usually just means “waiting for the next reboot.” If Agatha Harkness—and let’s be real, Aubrey Plaza’s Death cameo—taught us anything, it’s that there’s a very thin line between life, death, and well, witchy survival.
Produced by Marvel Animation and directed by Bryan Andrews, Marvel Zombies was developed from a teleplay by Zeb Wells. The creative minds behind the show include executive producers Zeb Wells, Bryan Andrews, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, with Danielle Costa and Carrie Wassenaar also serving as producers. The show marks a bold new direction for Marvel’s animated efforts, leaning heavily into horror—something fans haven’t seen much of until recently. Marvel Studios’ Brad Winderbaum has emphasized that the MCU’s exploration of horror will be varied, drawing from different filmmakers’ visions—whether it’s the mystical terror of Agatha All Along, the supernatural action of Blade, or the gritty tone of Moon Knight.
Marvel Zombies will premiere on Disney+ on October 3, 2025. No word yet if zombie Wanda will also get into her own version of sitcom hijinks, but we’re here for it. Stay tuned for more updates as Olsen re-embraces her hex magic in whatever form—or multiverse—it may take.
