The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has redefined superhero storytelling through interconnected tales that blend action, emotion, and mysticism, and one of its most intriguing characters has been Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch. Her journey from Avenger to the wielder of chaos magic in WandaVision and her dark descent in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness captivated audiences and left fans with a series of unanswered questions. Now, as we revisit the darker elements introduced in her storyline, a greater threat looms, potentially linked to a powerful and terrifying entity in Marvel lore: Chthon. With the release of Agatha All Along and hints at upcoming storylines, we are on the edge of discovering whether the Elder God of Chaos, Chthon, could be making his way to the MCU.
How WandaVision and Agatha All Along Set the Stage for Darker Forces
WandaVision marked the beginning of a complex, darker trilogy exploring Wanda Maximoff’s psyche and family. Here, audiences witnessed Wanda’s struggle with her grief, her attachment to a reality of her making, and her initial exposure to chaos magic. Her transformation from Avenger to a being of unchecked power set her on a path that the MCU would explore further, delving into her descent into darkness. This journey was continued in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, where Wanda, under the influence of the Darkhold, becomes a formidable antagonist.
With Agatha All Along, the focus shifts to Agatha Harkness as she breaks free from a hex placed on her by Wanda, and the series brings fresh revelations about Wanda’s family. Most notably, we meet Billy Kaplan/Maximoff, who appears to have inherited Wanda’s abilities but with a blue, rather than red, hue to his magic. This color change, however, might be an aesthetic distinction rather than a deviation in essence, as Billy’s powers suggest he, too, could wield chaos magic. By reintroducing Wiccan, the MCU has effectively opened the door for one of Marvel’s most iconic villains to enter the fray: Chthon himself.
Billy Kaplan’s Return and His Inherited Chaos Magic
The appearance of Billy Kaplan, or Wiccan, has introduced new questions about his magical origins and capabilities. As shown in Agatha All Along, Billy’s abilities mirror his mother’s talents for telekinesis and mind control, though his magic is shown in a distinct blue rather than Wanda’s signature red. The color difference aside, the similarities are unmistakable, suggesting that he has indeed inherited the potential for chaos magic.
Billy’s link to chaos magic holds great importance as it is directly connected to the malevolent Elder God Chthon. In the comics, Chthon is the source of all chaos magic and the author of the Darkhold, a book of dark magic that played a central role in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. With Billy’s powers coming to light, fans are left wondering if his existence could serve as a vessel through which Chthon could finally breach the boundaries of the MCU.
Who is Chthon? The MCU’s Potential New Dark God
In Marvel comics, Chthon is among the Elder Gods and one of the first wielders of chaos magic. Born of the Demiurge—the sentient life force that gave rise to the earliest gods on Earth—Chthon’s nature turned dark, and he was eventually exiled to a mystical realm of his creation. From there, he wrote the Darkhold, embedding within it the malevolent influence he hoped to use to return to the physical world.
In the MCU, Chthon’s influence is hinted at through the Darkhold. His statue at Mount Wundagore, seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, reinforces his canonical connection to Wanda and her powers. Chthon’s scheme throughout comic history has often been to use vessels of chaos magic—like Wanda—as conduits for his influence, with the hope of fully manifesting on Earth. With Agatha All Along reintroducing Billy as Wiccan, Chthon may finally have found another potential host in the MCU.
Could Chthon Take Over Billy Kaplan?
In Agatha All Along, several key moments hint at the looming threat of Chthon’s influence. Billy, as Wiccan, demonstrates abilities similar to his mother’s, and there are growing indications that he could indeed wield chaos magic. During a scene in which Billy is read his fortune, he pulls the Magician card, which symbolizes boundless potential and the power to transform dreams into reality. This card hints at his reality-altering potential—a power most commonly associated with his mother, the Scarlet Witch.
Billy’s connection to chaos magic is crucial because every use of chaos magic in the MCU has been tied to Chthon’s influence. As Wanda’s son, he may be primed to inherit not only her abilities but also the dark curse of chaos magic. If Chthon seeks to enter the MCU, Billy could be the very host he needs, presenting a dark twist in the evolution of the MCU’s magical storyline.
The Role of the Darkhold and Its Legacy in the MCU
The Darkhold is a legendary book of dark magic, and in Marvel lore, it serves as Chthon’s conduit to the mortal world. This ancient tome has appeared in WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and now plays a central role in Agatha All Along. As the architect of chaos magic, Chthon’s Darkhold holds spells that threaten the boundaries of reality, and each use further frays the very fabric of the MCU’s multiverse.
Through the Darkhold, Wanda discovered chaos magic and ultimately succumbed to it. Her exposure to Chthon’s influence foreshadows a similar fate for anyone else connected to chaos magic—like Billy. This connection makes Chthon’s potential appearance in the MCU a chilling prospect. It would not only complete Wanda’s dark legacy but potentially ignite a new saga, positioning Billy as a pivotal character in resisting or succumbing to Chthon’s influence.
Why Chthon’s Arrival is a Game-Changer for the Multiverse Saga
The Multiverse Saga has set the stage for multidimensional threats, from Doctor Strange’s encounters with the Darkhold to the reality-warping consequences of the Scarlet Witch’s actions. Introducing Chthon as the first demon and the creator of chaos magic aligns seamlessly with the MCU’s ongoing exploration of the multiverse. Chthon’s ability to manipulate reality would make him a formidable adversary for even the most powerful MCU heroes, setting him apart from any other villain introduced so far.
The thematic implications of Chthon’s arrival are significant as well. His entry would present Wanda’s family with a moral and existential dilemma: Does Billy embrace his dark inheritance, or will he fight against the chaos magic within him? Such a storyline could add emotional depth and complexity to the saga, exploring themes of destiny, legacy, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.
What Chthon’s Presence Could Mean for Wanda’s Return
With Wanda’s fate left uncertain, the possibility of her return tied to Chthon’s storyline is intriguing. Given her profound connection to chaos magic and her history as his unwitting vessel, Wanda’s resurrection may involve a direct confrontation with Chthon himself. This return would also allow Wanda to face the consequences of her actions in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and potentially reunite with her children, especially Billy, whose abilities align him with her legacy.
Chthon’s presence would not only impact Billy’s story arc but could bring Wanda back into the spotlight, possibly completing her journey from villain to redeemed hero.
The Scarlet Witch, Wiccan, and Chthon’s Potential in the MCU
As the Multiverse Saga unfolds, the MCU’s trajectory appears to be heading towards the introduction of Chthon, a being whose connection to chaos magic ties him intimately to both Wanda and Billy Maximoff. Chthon’s influence, hinted at through the Darkhold, chaos magic, and Mount Wundagore, makes him an undeniable part of Wanda’s legacy. With Agatha All Along’s inclusion of Billy Kaplan, the groundwork has been laid for a potential showdown between Marvel’s next generation of heroes and one of its most fearsome demons.
The eventual clash between Chthon, Wanda, and Billy could set a new standard in the MCU, bridging the past with the future and offering a climactic resolution to Wanda’s arc. Only time will tell if Chthon finally emerges in the MCU, but with each installment, his presence grows closer, promising a saga where the fates of both Scarlet Witch and Wiccan are entangled with a darkness far older than they could have imagined.