Marvel Studios/Sony Pictures
You might have observed a familiar theme in “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” where Jean Grey, portrayed by Sadie Sink, undergoes a transformation similarly mirrored by Wanda “Scarlet Witch” Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, in both “WandaVision” and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” If this is news to you, Looper discusses how “Brand New Day” reimagines Scarlet Witch’s potent villain narrative by endowing Jean with comparable traits and abilities.
Despite Wanda’s apparent demise after “Multiverse of Madness,” which suggests the MCU may not bring these characters face-to-face in the near future, the parallel between them ignites a fascinating debate. Both Jean Grey and the Scarlet Witch boast formidable powers throughout their comic and cinematic journeys, making a hypothetical showdown between these two titans a thrilling spectacle. In one corner stands Jean Grey, and in the opposite, the Scarlet Witch. The burning question remains: who would triumph in this epic duel?
Both characters are powerful in their own ways
Marvel Studios
Within the comic universe, Jean Grey is renowned as an Omega-level mutant of extraordinary caliber, endowed with vast telepathic, empathic, and telekinetic abilities. Her powers extend to reality manipulation and potential immortality, achieved by transferring her consciousness into another being, highlighting her unparalleled strength.
The MCU introduces a less formidable Jean initially, with her primary power centered on possessing people within a 33-foot radius. This ability makes her a formidable force, capable of chaining possessions and targeting powerful figures. However, even Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and Bill Metzger (Tramell Tillman) manage to temporarily curb her capabilities under the right conditions. As “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” progresses, an empowered Jean exhibits enhanced telekinesis, forms an expansive psionic bubble, and exerts control over numerous individuals within its bounds.
On the other hand, Wanda Maximoff’s comic book incarnation surpasses even Jean’s astounding prowess. The Scarlet Witch is Earth’s “nexus being” in the Earth-616 timeline, embodying this universe’s life force. She defies permanent death and manipulates reality to her whims, epitomized by the monumental M-Day Decimation event, where she momentarily strips almost all of Earth’s mutants of their powers with mere intent.
The MCU Scarlet Witch also wields vast power. Apart from telekinetic and mental abilities that are somewhat on par with what the MCU Jean has displayed, she’s an unparalleled chaos magician who can rewrite reality to the point of creating life. In “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” she handily fights and wins the combined might of Kamar-Taj wizards while under the influence of the Darkhold. Even before unlocking her full abilities, she’s a powerhouse: As seen on “WandaVision,” she can create a Hex bubble, inside which she’s virtually omnipotent.
Wanda would probably come out on top, unless the Phoenix Force comes out to play
Marvel Comics
Looking at the pair’s power levels, it’s clear that Jean is no slouch. However, the comic book Wanda’s more loosely-defined power set that combines magical spells with innate reality-bending abilities is a touch above anything that any version of baseline Jean can bring to the table. Apart from her vast offensive and defensive powers, the Scarlet Witch’s sheer unkillability and status as the Earth-616 nexus being give her an edge.
In the MCU, things might be more interesting. While Wanda would probably make short work of the bodyhopper version of Jean, the mutant’s late-game powers show great telekinetic talent and an unprecedented level of control over a large number of people. Wanda is more experienced and has far more feats due to her lengthier MCU tenure, but the sheer immensity of Jean’s telepathic powers might make it a surprisingly even fight.
However, the rulebook flies out of the window if any version of Wanda is facing a Jean who’s hosting the Phoenix Force. While the Earth-616 Wanda might be the nexus being of her universe, the Phoenix is a completely indestructible nexus of the entire multiverse’s psionic energy — think the Big Bang, the end of everything, and much of what happens in between, all rolled into one big fiery bird. Apart from its obvious and rather literal firepower, the Phoenix Force can manipulate time, reality, all forms of energy, and the very fabric of existence as it pleases. As such, there really isn’t a lot that even the Scarlet Witch can do if it decides to step in the ring with her.