5 MCU characters who died too soon (and 3 who didn’t die fast enough)

Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch

Scarlet Witch, real name Wanda Maximoff, is one of our favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe characters here at Bam Smack Pow. She’s such an incredible force, and actress Elizabeth Olsen gives a stellar performance as the loving mother with superhuman abilities. She makes her debut in the MCU in the post-credits of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and becomes a prominent player in the years to follow.

As we learn over the movies and in the show WandaVision, Scarlet Witch has the power to influence minds and emotions, but her powers are also sometimes difficult to control. This leads to unintended consequences. We last see the character in the 2022 movie Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which although backtracks on her character development, also features one of Olsen’s best performances in the MCU.

Wanda is presumed dead by the end of Doctor Strange 2 after sacrificing herself to destroy the Darkhold, though there’s definitely a chance she could be brought back. Her permanent death in the MCU would be a terrible move, as she’s one of the most compelling and complex characters they’ve got. We need more Wanda!

VERDICT: Died too soon

Loki

It’s not a coincidence I put my two favorite MCU characters so high up on this list, as they’re the first ones I thought of when putting this together, naturally. The adopted son of Odin and brother of Thor, Loki is another extremely complex and multifaceted character whose moral ambiguity is a breath of fresh air amid all the heroes and villains of the MCU.

Loki is the most unpredictable character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and actor Tom Hiddleston does a great job bringing both complexity and humor to the role. Loki kind of reminds me of a Tyrion Lannister type from Game of Thrones, always in the shadows of their sibling(s) but actually being one of the smartest players in the game.

Loki’s death comes in Avengers: Infinity War when he makes a very brief appearance before being strangled by Thanos. Of course, this is hardly the last time we see the character as he’s returned in alternate timelines, but his death is still incredibly shocking and emotional. We’re glad we’ve been able to see more of him, but I’m still not over his tragic end!

VERDICT: Died too soon