Marvel fans were thrilled when Billy Maximoff made his debut in ‘WandaVision’ alongside his twin brother, Tommy. However, fans of Julian Hilliard, the actor who originally played Billy, may have felt some disappointment when they discovered that Joe Locke would be playing the teenage version of Billy in ‘Agatha All Along’.
Moreover, the decision to switch actors aligns with Marvel’s storytelling and the complex comic-book history behind Billy’s character. In ‘WandaVision’, Billy Maximoff was a magical construct. Whereas, in the comics, it was a different take. However, Joe Locke’s casting makes complete sense. Here’s why.
Joe Locke’s Wiccan Is A New Chapter for Billy Maximoff
‘Agatha All Along’ had been keeping Joe Locke’s identity under wraps. However, in episode five, Locke’s character finally revealed his magical powers, confirming him as Wiccan. For those unfamiliar with the comics, this change may seem sudden. However, it’s actually a faithful adaptation of Billy Maximoff’s complex origin.
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In Marvel Comics, after Billy Maximoff was reabsorbed by Mephisto, his soul was reincarnated into a new body, Billy Kaplan. Moreover, this new incarnation of Billy grew up with no memory of his past life but later discovered his connection to the Scarlet Witch and his powers.
The decision to have Locke portray the teenage Wiccan reflects this comic book arc. Hilliard’s version of Billy was part of Wanda’s fabricated reality. Whereas, Locke’s version is the reincarnated Billy with a new body. While some fans may have preferred Hilliard to reprise the role, it’s important to recognize that Locke’s casting makes it easier to differentiate between the two Billys.
Can Julian Hilliard Still Return As Wiccan In The Multiverse?
Though it’s exciting to see Joe Locke as the new Billy Maximoff, many fans are still wondering whether Julian Hilliard might return to the role at some point. The MCU has already teased the possibility of multiversal versions of characters. ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ introduced alternate versions of Billy and Tommy Maximoff.
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These children, existing on Earth-838, were physical beings rather than magical constructs. So, other variants of Billy and Tommy could exist across the multiverse. This opens the door for Hilliard’s return to the MCU in future projects.
Moreover, the multiverse is a central theme in Marvel’s current narrative arc. So, there are several different versions of what Wiccan Gillard can portray.
