In Marvel’s comic books, Erik Lehnsherr, AKA Magneto, is the biological father of twins Wanda and Pietro Maximoff – the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver. Both the characters have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, respectively.
However, given that Magneto hasn’t yet appeared in the franchise – and the fact that mutants, in general, haven’t emerged as a concept in the MCU, it seems unlikely that he’ll be the father of the live-action version of the twins. However, a recent MCU theory suggests a plausible way the metal-controlling character could still be introduced as the father of Wanda Maximoff and her now-deceased twin brother. So, let’s delve into it to see how he could be Wanda and Pietro’s dad in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
What Is This Magneto Theory?
Most superhero movie fans will tell you that, given the now multiversal nature of the MCU, if Magneto is going to appear in the franchise, it will have to be a version from another universe – perhaps the Fox version played by either Michael Fassbender or Ian McKellen, for example – but this theory suggests that’s not necessary because he’s been in the MCU in the whole time.
Anyone reading this probably thinks, “But how could that be?” The answer is surprisingly plausible.
Mutants aren’t widely known in the MCU, but it’s now established that they exist there (Kamala Khan and Namor are mutants in the franchise). Therefore, Magneto may have been in the franchise for some time but actively chose to lay low due to not knowing that other mutants exist (a little like he did before meeting Charles Xavier in the Fox franchise, as depicted in 2011’s X-Men: First Class).
For years, he’s wandered alone, traveling from country to country, trying to evade being noticed and having his mutation uncovered. He stopped in Sokovia and met a lady who had a witch heritage and impregnated her. However, due to complications – perhaps related to the X-gene – she died giving birth to twins. Knowing he couldn’t look after the infants due to being forced to travel so much, he gave the babies away to a Sokovian orphanage, where the Maximoffs eventually adopted them.
If this theory is accurate, it would help explain precisely how Wanda and Pietro survived the experiments Baron Strucker conducted on them using the Mind Stone.
In 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Bruce Banner explained that the Infinity Stones emit radiation – mostly gamma – and the X-gene is known to protect those who possess it from radiation. It would also explain why Wanda Maximoff is so incredibly powerful. Not only is she a witch, but she’s also a mutant – a new form of particularly potent crossbreed.
The question is then raised about how Magneto could come to meet Wanda in the MCU. Well, that’s relatively straightforward.
How Could Magneto and Wanda Maximoff Meet in the MCU?
Now that mutants are gradually emerging in the MCU, and mutants from other franchises are coming to the main timeline in movies like Deadpool & Wolverine, it could make the theoretical MCU Magneto feel comfortable enough to come out about his mutation. He could then actively seek out his children, leading to him and Wanda meeting (assuming, as expected, she didn’t die in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) – and him finding out the terrible news about Pietro’s tragic death.
A team-up between Magneto and the Scarlet Witch in live-action is a mouthwatering prospect – and it’ll be interesting to see if Fassbender, McKellen, or a new actor plays the MCU version of the character – but fans will have to be patient and wait to find out if it ever happens.
