What If...? Season 2 Trailer Shows Scarlet Witch's MCU Return

Judging from the title of Wanda's episodes, it's more than likely her Merlin variant will show up in "What If... The Avengers Assembled In 1602." The episode title indicates going back in time, which would align with Merlin in mythology. The episode is also a clear reference to the Neil Gaiman run of comics, entitled "Marvel 1602." In the limited run, the eight-issue series posits a reality where superheroes existed in the Elizabethan era. Typical of "The Sandman" creator, Gaiman delves into the weirder aspects of what it would be like if those with superpowers arrived 400 years early. Dubbed "witchbreeds" in the comic, mutants and the like encounter the same foes as in the modern era, but with a clever twist. 

As a mutant and witch herself, Wanda is an obvious choice for this particular episode. But as Merlin has been a part of Arthurian legend since the Middle Ages, "What If...?" is likely to have some more surprises in store. In mythology, Merlin wore many faces — both figuratively and literally. For centuries, the lore of Merlin has been retold and retooled to a degree where the animated series could essentially tell any story they wanted for the character. We will have to wait and see what's in store when the new season premieres in December 2023.