Actress Elizabeth Olsen has revealed a significant shift in her career strategy, announcing to InStyle magazine that she will no longer commit to Hollywood studio movies unless they are guaranteed a theatrical release. While Olsen, known for her early independent film success with works like 2011’s “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” remains comfortable with indie productions that find distribution solely through streaming platforms, her ultimate preference is for the communal experience of a cinematic release.

“If a movie is made independently and only sells to a streamer, then fine. But I don’t want to make something where [streaming is] the end-all,” Olsen stated, highlighting her belief in the power of shared experiences. She draws parallels to sports, emphasizing the importance for people to gather and connect over something exciting. This sentiment extends to the current state of the industry, where even auditions often no longer occur in person, signaling a broader shift she observes.

Since her last prominent appearance as the Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with 2022’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” Olsen has intentionally pivoted towards independent cinema. Her recent projects include 2023’s “His Three Daughters” and 2024’s “The Assessment,” as well as the eagerly anticipated A24 romantic comedy “Eternity.” Among these, “His Three Daughters” did secure a streaming deal with Netflix, but it also received an awards-qualifying theatrical run in select cinemas, aligning partially with her preference.

Olsen, who has experienced firsthand the phenomenon of drawing millions to movie theaters through her decade-long tenure as Scarlet Witch – beginning with a post-credits scene in 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” – shared her thoughts on the MCU experience. She described making the Marvel films as “fun. Goofy. It’s ridiculous. We’re grown people like children on a playground,” detailing the high-flying stunts and special effects. She expressed a deep connection to the character, noting, “It’s good to put her down and then I miss her and I want her back. I’d jump at the opportunity to be in her shoes again.”

Reflecting further on the advantages of her time in the MCU, Olsen underscored the “consistency of a community and a job, which is hard to find.” She praised the intricate coordination involved in productions featuring “insane camera movement, stunt work and special effects, visual effects that are happening in real time.” The collaborative effort of hundreds of people working towards a single goal, with visual effects artists whom she considers true artists, was profoundly meaningful. “The soul, the spirit, the heart is fulfilled doing it. It does mean something. I care about the acting being great — everyone does,” she affirmed.

While the “Doctor Strange” sequel marks her last in-person portrayal of Scarlet Witch, Olsen recently lent her voice to the Disney+ animated series “Marvel Zombies.” Her next significant project is “Eternity,” an A24 film co-starring Miles Teller and Callum Turner. This romantic comedy offers a unique fantasy twist, set in an afterlife where the recently deceased have a single week to choose their eternal companion. Olsen’s character, Joan, faces a poignant decision between her first love and the man with whom she built her life. “Eternity” is slated to open in theaters this Thanksgiving, fully aligning with Olsen's renewed commitment to the theatrical experience.