I can’t believe I missed this detail that makes Agatha Harkness’ MCU return even more important

I know I’m not alone in hoping that Agatha Harkness returns to the MCU soon after her Agatha all the time success, but I just noticed a detail that makes it especially important. Agatha Harkness is a relatively minor character in Marvel Comics, debuting as the nanny of Franklin Richards, the son of Reed and Sue Richards in Marvel Comics. She goes on to train Wanda Maximoff with her magic, making her MCU characterization as her nemesis a stark departure from comic book precedent.

This isn’t the only way the MCU has significantly changed Agatha Harkness. While Kathryn Hahn is arguably one of the MCU’s most beloved actresses and an excellent casting decision for the most part, she looks nothing like her comic book counterpart (at least, until Agatha regains her youthful appearance in 2022). Fortunately, the Agatha all the time finale fixed this glaring discrepancy – but it speaks to a long-standing problem in the Marvel films that now makes Agatha’s continued involvement in the MCU more important.

Agatha Harkness’ ghost is one of the only women who appears older in Marvel productions

White hair and wrinkles on women are a rarity in the MCU and beyond

Agatha Harkness has appeared as an older woman in Marvel Comics for decades. Making her look much younger by casting Kathryn Hahn in the MCU, however, simply continues a trend in Marvel films where Prominent older female character roles are given to younger-looking actors. Examples of prominent characters who appear younger than they do in the comics include the following:

Agatha all the time flipped the script by starring fan favorite Lilia Calderu in a prominent role, with her arc even addresses society’s unfortunate habit of overlooking older women. Additionally, Agatha’s ghost, with her flowing white hair, now looks more like her comic book counterpart, as the magic she used to stay young has apparently disappeared. Another older woman who stands out in the MCU, of course, is Janet Van Dyne, played by the now 66-year-old Michelle Pfeiffer – one of the oldest actresses in the MCU.

With Janet Van Dyne dominating the representation of older women, it is now important that her future appearances are bolstered by Agatha. It’s worth noting, of course, that the ages of the aforementioned characters are explainableespecially in the case of Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May, who is in the right age range for a teenager’s aunt. Still, the fact that Marvel has a habit of avoiding gray hair and wrinkles in women is becoming particularly noticeable – and it doesn’t appear to be a problem that affects male characters in the MCU.

The MCU disproportionately casts men who look older than women

Some characters are even older than their comic book counterparts

Leaving aside the general age difference between the MCU’s main male cast and their female counterparts, the MCU apparently has no qualms about casting male actors who seem more comic-accurate. Older-looking male characters have appeared as early as Iron Man. Meanwhile, Rene Russo’s Frigga appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins’ Odin (who is 17 years her senior) and was a relatively accurate age – although the MCU’s Frigga still doesn’t sport her comic book counterpart’s silver locks.

There are, of course, examples of male characters also aging – He Who Remains being a recent example. Still, this doesn’t take away from the general trend seen in Marvel films that older looking men are seen much more often than older looking women. Additionally, some older actors are cast in roles that appear aged in the comics, such as Robert Redford’s Alexander Pierce. Kathryn Hahn has already achieved two “firsts” in her Agatha all the time appearances – and I’d like to see her continue to push boundaries by appearing as an older woman in the MCU’s future.

Where Agatha might appear in the MCU

The end of Agatha All Along marked Agatha’s return

It’s safe to say that Agatha all the time set up the return of Ghost Agatha in a future MCU installment with its ending. Now that she appears to be following Billy in a role reminiscent of his relationship with Wanda in Marvel Comics, she’ll probably show up the next time Billy shows up. This will likely be in the upcoming Vision solo series, as that show will complete the trilogy of shows that began with WandaVision and continued with Agatha all the time highlighting Wanda’s family.

Another possible appearance will be in Avengers: Secret Wars as it promises to present a who’s who of MCU characters. Other possibilities include unconfirmed but rumored projects featuring the Young Avengers and a Scarlet Witch solo film. Whatever the case, I guess Agatha all the time made it clear that Agatha isn’t done yet, and I think that’s great for representation, in addition to the fact that Agatha is a fan favorite and deserves even more screen time.