Elizabeth Olsen, widely known for her powerful portrayal of Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is opening up about the gap between her blockbuster career and her personal artistic preferences.
In a recent episode of the Wild Card podcast, Olsen candidly shared that while she’s proud of her work with Marvel, superhero films aren’t typically the kind of art she consumes or connects with on a deeper level.
“I think I haven’t always successfully made choices in my work that are aligned with my personal taste,” Olsen admitted. “That is something I feel like I’m still trying to prove when I meet people.”
Olsen, who has spent over a decade in the MCU—from a cameo in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) to leading roles in WandaVision (2021) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)—said she initially joined Marvel because of its grand storytelling and epic tone, comparing it to Greek mythology.
Despite her pride in shaping Wanda’s journey, she acknowledged a desire to pursue work that resonates more closely with her own tastes. “It’s not really the art that I consume,” she said honestly.
Outside of Marvel, Olsen has built a respected indie resume with films like Wind River (2017), Ingrid Goes West (2017), His Three Daughters (2023), and The Assessment (2024). With these roles, she aims to craft a career that reflects her personal voice and cinematic interests.
“I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do with the character,” Olsen said, “but all the other jobs I have to do now really have to reflect my personal taste.”
As Marvel continues to evolve—and face mixed reception in Hollywood—Olsen is shifting her focus, determined to grow as a storyteller on her own terms.