Scarlet Witch’s story in the MCU almost mirrors this character’s arc from Thunderbolts*

With Thunderbolts*, the MCU decided to embrace a darker tone while focusing on the mental health struggles of its characters. Bob (Lewis Pullman) was a key to this theme and his journey offers a sense of catharsis to those struggling with similar issues stemming from past traumas. Val (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) used Bob's vulnerability to her benefit and turned him into Sentry, who's as powerful as all the Avengers combined. He gets used against his will and after realizing that, he transforms into a darker manifestation of his Void. With these details, Bob's arc sounds similar to Scarlett Witch in the MCU.

Elizabeth Olsen first appeared as Wanda Maximoff in MCU's Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), being held captive with her brother Pietro. That happens a while before the events of WandaVision, where she constructs an alternate reality, unable to cope with the loss of Vision in Avengers; Infinity War (2018). WandaVision starts as a casual American sitcom of a white, suburban family where Wanda and Vision have two sons. However, by the end, it shows Wanda's transformation into Scarlett Witch, which feeds on the darker side of her psyche trying to process her grief and leaves her with no control over her actions.

Something similar happens with Sentry in Thunderbolts*, as he turns into Void and consumes the entire city with hisdread. However, their fate is wildly different in the MCU's timeline.

How does Scarlett Witch connect with Bob / Sentry from Thunderbolts*?

The Void in Thunderbolts* (Image via YouTube/Marvel Entertainment)

Thunderbolts* introduces Bob as a kind-hearted guy who just happens to be at the wrong spot along with a bunch of antiheroes. At the time, he is not trying to redeem himself as the others do. In fact, he is not even aware of what he is capable of, but once he realizes this, he gets pulled into a destructive plan. He does not want to misuse his powers as Sentry but Val leaves him with no other option. That leads him to turn into The Void, which affects many people, unbeknownst to Bob.

Eventually, the antiheroes stay by Bob's side and help him get out of his shell. They wholeheartedly accept him and make him realize that he is more than what happened to him in the past. That trauma-bonding experience allows him to turn from an unlikely villain to a hero as a part of the New Avengers. Unfortunately, Wanda / Scarlet Witch doesn't end up in a similarly brighter spot. Her journey in the MCU has been less than ideal, which is why she creates a sitcom-like ideal reality in WandaVision.

After losing Vision, Wanda becomes instrumental in the Avengers' victory against Thanos. Her grief manifests itself in WandaVision, where she fights Agatha, and traps her in the anomaly as she becomes Scarlet Witch. However, the final moments of this Disney+ series end her journey on a tragic note much like every other MCU project her character has been a part of. Eventually, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), she ends up using her enormous powers for destruction.

Much like Bob / Sentry in Thunderbolts*, her darker side takes charge of her actions, manifesting from her painful past. However, unlike Bob, she doesn't get the friendly support of generous heroes, who have also been through similar emotional struggles. She also doesn't get a firm redemption arc after being an antagonist in Multiverse of Madness and dying in the end. That heartbreaking ending separates her from Bob's arc who finds the emotional support he desperately craves in Thunderbolts*.