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WandaVision Director Explains MCU’s Different Magic Colors

WandaVision episode 7 confirmed Agnes’ as ‘Agatha Harkness’. The revelation was important, but fans were almost aware of it. She was certainly the most ambiguous character in Westview. She was unscathed by Wanda’s powers. Marvel is known for assigning certain styles to its characters. For Wanda, it’s her red magic. For Agatha, it’s the purple magic. This also provoked people to think that she is somehow powered by the Power Stone.

WandaVision episode 7 also revealed Agatha’s past. She is a witch. A ritual takes place in Salem, Massacheuttes in the year 1693. Agnes overpowers everyone and kills her mother in the process. She continues to take the brooch on her mother’s clothes and flees. Fans have often wondered about her origins of power. Who she is, and how did she become Agatha Harkness. Speaking with ComicBook, Shakman discussed the various magic colors seen in the MCU. When asked if the colors relate to the Infinity Stones, the director explained:

“Well, you know, certainly Wanda’s power, as we can say, was enhanced by her experience with the infinity stone, which we saw in the last episode. In terms of color differentiation, I think it’s important because when you’re trying to describe what’s happening, especially with Agatha in Salem, Massachusetts, you want to be able to see her purple magic eat away at that blue magic, right? Because that’s what she does, she absorbs power, she’s taking the magic from the other witches. This is why they look so, you know, “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” at the end of that scene because she’s literally sucked all of their, their sort of magic in life from them. So for us, in terms of color coding for that scene, that was, you know, one of the biggest reasons why it’s like that. And of course, Wanda’s magic has been established, but we’re evolving it and changing it as we go.”

Fans were curious ever since Kathryn Hahn was officially cast as Agnes. Agatha Harkness is a frequent foil and mentor of Wanda’s in the comics. Another theory suggested that Westview was a prison for witches. Now, we have two switches in Westview – Scarlet Witch and Agatha Harkness.

Shakman explains that the colors in the scene tell us the essence of the scene. As he said, the Salem sequence was easy to follow knowing exactly when Agatha started to overpower her fellow witches. Her distinct purple magic has also come in handy in the Westview scenes with Wanda and will continue to in what’s likely to be a major battle in the finale. It’s also smart to give Agatha her color of magic in case she ever interacts with Doctor Strange or other magical beings elsewhere in the MCU. Different magic colors also make the scene more visually interesting.

Agatha’s brooch has also played a significant role in her shenanigans. This same brooch convinced people earlier on that she was Agatha Harkness. She has always been more independent in Westview than anyone else. Agatha is a sucker for knowledge and power. In the comics, Agatha starts the New Salem, a secret city based in Colorado where only magic-users are allowed. It is unclear if we will ever get any answers to what the MCU’s Agatha Harkness has been doing from 1693 to 2023, but it is clear she is aware of other magical beings on Earth. Wanda’s creation of the Hex was enough to get Agatha’s attention. Leading her to proclaim Wanda is using chaos magic which makes her The Scarlet Witch.

As Shakman notes, Wanda’s powers were affected by her experience with one of the Infinity Stones. Meanwhile, as the MCU witch with roots to Salem, it makes sense Agatha’s magic is purple, as that’s the color most traditionally associated with witches. It is believed that Agatha is willing to prey on Wanda and her family to get it. But her main motivations and actions make her a fantastic version of the old witch from the comics. She has shown to have a much greater understanding of magic than Wanda, and it’s also possible that her brooch signifies the strength she has as a witch. As the pieces come together, even more, there is still one more episode left to see what more Agatha has up her sleeve.

The multiverse will be a major factor in the upcoming MCU project, but it cannot be overlooked where Wanda and Agatha fit in this world of magic and sorcery. As someone who has been practicing witchcraft for at least 300 years or more, Agatha could turn out to be a major ally or enemy in the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

WandaVision is currently streaming on Disney+. The finale will premiere this Friday.

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