IN an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Elizabeth Olsen who plays Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch commends America Chavez actor Xochitl Gomez for her preparedness and bravado during the production of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. 

The MCU veteran compared Gomez to her younger self, stating that the 16-year-old actor was much more confident than she was when she first entered the franchise. Olsen then expresses her excitement for whatever the future holds for her.

“[S]he has so much energy and so much undeterred, youthful positivity and confidence. When I was 16, I was jaded, and maybe I was also more of a fool or something, I don’t know what I was. But she, on her own, can do whatever she wants. She’s way more prepared than I was at 25 for the Marvel Universe. She’s just really a light and an energy that was amazing to be around just pure kindness and goodness. I’m excited for her. I’m excited to see what she gets to do with America.

Raimi has praised Gomez, as well as Marvel Studios’ embrace of diversity and inclusivity. In the original Marvel Comics lore, the character of America Chavez is a young Latina who comes from another world, in which she had two mothers. As this was translated exactly into the movie, Raimi happily professed that “this young Latina can now represent a heroic figure for many people out there that were underrepresented before.“

Directed by Sam Raimi, this newest theatrical installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was released in cinemas this weekend to a generally positive reaction from critics and audiences.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness reviews specifically praised it for its horror/gothic elements — a franchise first for the MCU.

Not much was revealed about the character of America Chavez prior to the movie’s release, but she proved to be the driving force of the story. Pursued by something – or someone – who wants to harness her mysterious powers, she seeks the help of Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and they embark on an adventure through the multiverse to find out why she is so coveted – only to discover that her pursuer is actually the Scarlet Witch herself. Rounding out the main cast are Rachel McAdams, returning as Christine Palmer, Chiwetel Ejiofor, who returns as Baron Karl Mordo, and Benedict Wong as the Sorcerer Supreme, Wong.

Despite being underrepresented in the marketing, Gomez’s America played a key role in the story of Doctor Strange 2, and learning to embrace her powers in the final act hints that Marvel has plans to use her character in the future. Though it’s unclear how much longer the franchise will want to play with the multiverse, the young superhero is shown learning sorcery at Kamar-Taj following the climactic battle, suggesting she will have powers that remain relevant even when that storytelling device is sidelined. And this praise from Olsen suggests Gomez will be ready off-screen for anything Feige & Co. have planned for America Chavez on-screen. (source screenrant.com)

(ROHN ROMULO)

Thor: Love And Thunder director Taika Waititi explains why he’s bringing Jane Foster back for the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Natalie Portman joined the MCU as Jane in the franchise’s early days in 2011’s Thor. 

Jane’s background as an astrophysicist makes her a helpful ally for Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder considering his mythical background isn’t exactly rooted in Earth’s science. Following their adventure in the first Thor movie, Portman returned for the film’s 2013 sequel, Thor: The Dark World, solidifying herself as a partner and love interest of the title hero. 

However, the romance does not go far as Jane is not featured in the third Thor film, Thor: Ragnarok, and has since only made a brief, dialogue-free cameo in Avengers: Endgame.

Now, after nearly a decade, Portman is returning to play Jane in the fourth Thor film. Details about Jane’s storyline in Love And Thunder are scarce, but it has long been confirmed that Jane will become Mighty Thor, a warrior worthy of wielding Thor’s hammer, during the events of the film. Jane has been no pushover in her previous MCU appearances, but access to powers like Thor’s will give the character quite a different role to play when she returns. 

Waititi’s return for Thor 4 is also an exciting prospect since he is often credited with rejuvenating the Thor franchise with Ragnarok after the divisive The Dark World. Waititi tells Empire about the choice to bring Jane back after her absence in Ragnarok – and about the decision to make her a superhero. 

Director Waititi says, “I didn’t know we were going to use the storyline of the Mighty Thor character until we started working out the actual story… I was writing and it was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be kind of cool to bring Jane back into the storyline?’… You don’t want Natalie coming back and playing that same character who’s walking around with science equipment. You know, while Thor’s flying around, she’s left on Earth, tapping her foot going, ‘When’s he going to be back?’ That’s boring. You want her to be part of the adventure.”

Considering the positive reaction to the changes Waititi made to Thor’s character in Ragnarok, it’s likely that Jane will get a similar treatment in Love And Thunder. Waititi talks about giving Portman something different to do in Thor 4. Jane’s previous appearances have mostly relegated the character to helping Thor from the sidelines, so handing Portman the remains of Mjolnir to join Thor in the action means she’ll have a lot more to do.

Thor: Love And Thunder is likely going to be jam-packed with fan service considering it will also feature the Guardians of the Galaxy and Christian Bale’s introduction to the MCU as Gorr the God Butcher. But Portman’s return as Jane and her new role as Mighty Thor is likely to be just as much of a highlight. 

New takes on old characters are always fun, so seeing Jane as more of a superhero instead of a love interest is likely going to be almost as memorable as the laughs that are sure to come when Thor realizes he’s not the only God of Thunder anymore. Thor: Love And Thunder will hit theaters on July 8, 2022. (source: screenrant.com)

(ROHN ROMULO)