Copyright The Hollywood Reporter
Elizabeth Olsen knows the type of projects she wants to be part of, and she revealed she will not sign onto a studio movie without a guaranteed theatrical release. “If a movie is made independently and only sells to a streamer, then fine. But I don’t want to make something where [streaming is] the end-all,” Olsen told InStyle for the publication’s cover story published on Tuesday. “I think it’s important for people to gather as a community, to see other humans, be together in a space.” She continued, “That’s why I like sports. I think it’s really powerful for people to come together for something that they’re excited about. We don’t even audition in person anymore.” Olsen kicked off her career by starring in the 2011 independent film Martha Marcy May Marlene, though she’s gone on to appear in several major studio films. She’s portrayed the role of Scarlet Witch in a handful of Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, with her most recent film in the franchise being 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Additionally, Olsen starred as Scarlet Witch in Disney+’s 2021 show WandaVision. WandaVision isn’t the only streaming show Olsen has starred on, as she’s also appeared on HBO Max’s Love & Death and Facebook Watch’s Sorry for Your Loss. She also reflected on making the MCU movies during the interview and revealed if she would be open to reprising the role again. “Making the films are fun. Goofy. It’s ridiculous. We’re grown people like children on a playground,” she said. “We’re flying. We’re shooting things out of our hands. And it’s a character that I’ve gotten to return to so many times after over 10 years. It’s good to put her down and then I miss her and I want her back. I’d jump at the opportunity to be in her shoes again.” Olsen went on to note that there are many pros that come with working within the MCU. “It’s the consistency of a community and a job, which is hard to find. The insane camera movement, stunt work and special effects, visual effects that are happening in real time. It’s a lot of coordination, it’s hundreds and hundreds of people on set, and it’s a powerful thing to be a part of all those people working towards one goal,” she said. “The people doing the visual effects are artists. … The soul, the spirit, the heart is fulfilled doing it. It does mean something. I care about the acting being great — everyone does.” Olsen made the comments one month after she said she would reprise her role of Scarlet Witch if done in the right way. “It’s a character that I love going back to when there’s a way to use her well, and I think I have been lucky that when I started I was used well within Age of Ultron,” Olsen said during an interview with Dublin radio outlet FM104. She went on to note that the MCU was “able to utilize the character well in interesting ways of telling stories in ways they hadn’t yet,” specifically when it came to WandaVision. “So if there’s a good way to use her I’m always happy to come back, however they can make that make sense,” Olsen said.
