Summary
Agatha: Darkhold Diaries' title changes suggest a major change for Agatha Harkness in Phase 5, possibly letting her break the fourth wall with her powers.
The series will center around Agatha and a fresh coven of witches following the presumed demise of Scarlet Witch, delving into the possibility of Agatha's ties with other significant heroes in the MCU. Agatha's knack for breaking the fourth wall, indicated by the alterations in the titles, might parallel past meta moments in the MCU such as She-Hulk's conclusion.
One theory suggests that Agatha Harkness, the titular witch in the newly retitled series Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, will gain an impressive new ability. This ability may help provide clarification for the controversial finale of a Phase 4 series. Initially announced as Agatha: House of Harkness in November 2021, the spinoff series featuring Kathryn Hahn's character was later renamed Agatha: Coven of Chaos at SDCC 2022. However, the show's title was changed once again in September 2023 to Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. This alteration may imply a significant change for Hahn's witch in Phase 5 of the MCU.
As Marvel Studios' first WandaVision spinoff, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries will bring back several residents of Westview, New Jersey, alongside new additions such as Patti LuPone, Aubrey Plaza, Joe Locke, Sasheer Zamata, and Ali Ahn. With the apparent death of the Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the series will solely focus on Harkness and a fresh group of witches within the MCU. Although the future of Agatha Harkness is uncertain, the repeated changes in the series' title suggest a potential connection between Harkness and two other prominent MCU heroes. It is even possible that she possesses the ability to break the fourth wall.
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Agatha: Darkhold Diaries' Name Changes Can Mirror She-Hulk's Controversially Meta Ending
Marvel Studios' Disney+ Phase 5 schedule has recently undergone some changes. What If...? season 2 has been announced for December 2023, while Echo and X-Men '97 have been pushed back to 2024. Release dates for Daredevil: Born Again, Wonder Man, and Ironheart are yet to be determined. Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is now reportedly scheduled to premiere in the Fall of 2024. Variety suggests that the title changes are not a result of indecision, but rather a hint of Agatha's mischievous nature. This could potentially indicate a shift in Agatha Harkness' powers within the MCU.
Agatha's ability to break the fourth wall in her own series, Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, could provide more insight into the contentious conclusion of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law in Phase 4. Jennifer Walters' (played by Tatiana Maslany) fourth wall breaks as She-Hulk were exceptional throughout the show, but in the finale, she departed her own series and altered the action-packed ending to align with her own vision. There was some confusion regarding She-Hulk's ability to physically leave the Disney+ menu, but the notion that Agatha Harkness can also influence her show's title from within supports this debated moment and hints at the potential troubles Agatha may bring in Phase 5.
Why Agatha: Darkhold Diaries' Meta Theory Can Avoid She-Hulk's Complaints
Many viewers felt that the final episode of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law was a significant departure from Marvel Studios' usual style. While this break from convention was refreshing in some ways, it also resulted in the ending feeling rushed and underwhelming. Some viewers may not be accustomed to fourth wall breaks in the MCU, which could explain these criticisms. However, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law's introduction of this concept provides an opportunity for Agatha: Darkhold Diaries to learn from its mistakes.
Agatha Harkness could be the perfect character to break the fourth wall, despite not having this ability in the Marvel Comics. Her charisma in WandaVision quickly made her a fan-favorite, and her journey from villain to potentially a friend and mentor to several MCU heroes mirrors her role in the comics. Marvel Studios' decision to incorporate fourth wall elements through the title of Agatha: Darkhold Diaries suggests that her story in Phase 5 will be an exciting one.