Yahoo Movies Here's how Loki and Scarlet Witch can work on TV
The news that Disney's upcoming streaming service will feature series versions of both Loki and Scarlet Witch has already got fans fired up, especially since MCU actors Tom Hiddleston and Elisabeth Olsen are said to be taking the lead roles.
Agents Carter and Coulson (among others) have already made the cross to TV, but with all respect to Hayley Attwell and Clark Gregg, this is a bigger deal. Disney will have to turbocharge their series budgets for Loki and Scarlet Witch, as fans are unlikely to welcome any cheese-paring for these iconic characters.
But how will the shows exploit their comic book origins?
As solo movie characters like Iron Man, Thor and Dr Strange are said not to be included in the either show, they'll have to introduce new allies/enemies or shine a spotlight on other Marvel cinematic characters.
Loki
A new Loki series could take elements of Keiron Gillen's 2010s 'Journey to Mystery' run, where Loki is reincarnated as a youngster, with interventions from his older self to steer his destiny.
Certainly, this could accommodate Tom Hiddleston's busy schedule and give a new aspect to the character, which to some was getting stuck in a rut by the time of Loki's apparent death in Infinity War.
There could also be a 'Tales of Asgard'-style story, where a younger Loki first becomes a master of magic, learning the darker arts from the sorcerer Eldred, who he naturally enough then turns over to the fire demon Surtur.
There may be a germ of an idea relating the events from Loki's fall from the Rainbow Bridge in Thor (2011) to his alliance with the Chitauri (and behind them Thanos), but that may seem old hat given the apparent conclusion of the Mad Titan storyline next year.
Likewise, his years ruling Asgard disguised as Odin, taking the lead on "board meetings and security council meetings". Not exactly thrilling.
We could also see a female Loki for a while in an exploration of the character's gender and sexuality, as well as his conflicted Frost Giant origin – having killed his father Laufey in the first Thor, maybe he decides to find out more about his mother Queen Farbauti before the events of Avengers Assemble?
Scarlet Witch
Of all Scarlet Witch's many storylines and retconned origins, the one that stands out as probably most suitable source material (in the light of Infinity War), is John Byrne's controversial 'Vision Quest' saga from the 1980s.
Going on the presumption that Vizh is effectively destroyed by Thanos in Infinity War, a Scarlet Witch series could use elements of Bryne's tale, as the synthezoid is reconstructed.
Despite being successfully put back together, Wanda finds that without the Mind Stone, The Vision is almost emotionless – still able to access his previous memories, but without his former personality traits.
Thus, a deeper storyline could see The Vision's PTSD-like condition prompting an attempt to get his old character (or something close to it) back.
Other strong Scarlet Witch story arcs exist, such as 'The House of M' and the possibility of children with The Vision (a product of Wanda's reality-warping powers), but these don't fit as neatly as does 'Vision Quest' in terms of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Whatever both the Loki and Scarlet Witch series turn out to be, there'll be endless speculation until they're finally revealed.
Now what about that Hawkeye show?
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