What Only Hardcore Marvel Fans Noticed About WandaVision's S.W.O.R.D. Change
WandaVision has the potential to change everything we think we know about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While there have been other shows technically set within the MCU, like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Luke Cage, these shows never really impacted what happened in the films. That's set to change, now that two Avengers from the film series — Scarlet Witch and Vision, played by Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany respectively — are getting their own TV show. The series also promises big changes in terms of the format future MCU shows can take: The WandaVision trailer displays an array of references to classic sitcoms, and we know the first episode was filmed in front of a live studio audience. It's unlike any superhero show, Marvel or not, that has ever been made before.
The changes don't end there, though. Because if you know your Marvel comics inside and out, and you've been paying close attention to WandaVision's promotional materials, then you may have noticed that even before the show's premiere, the series has altered something else. No need to check your vision (pun very much intended) as we're here to point out the subtle — but very ominous — little detail that the upcoming series has changed about S.W.O.R.D. from the comics.
The meaning of the S.W.O.R.D. acronym seems to have changed
First, some backstory on the new organization, for casual fans: If you think of S.H.I.E.L.D. as being responsible for handling localized dangers on Earth, then S.W.O.R.D. is its intergalactic counterpart. The organization, whose name stands for "Sentient World Observation and Response Department," is based in outer space and deals with extraterrestrial threats.
Now this could mean nothing (or it could mean everything), but a sharp-eyed Twitter user, @UpToTASK, noticed that according to WandaVision's marketing materials, the insignia for S.W.O.R.D. has changed the name in a slight but important way: in the MCU, it stands for "Sentient Weapon Observation Response Division."
Now, it's worth remembering that the MCU also changed the meaning behind S.H.I.E.L.D.'s acronym back in the first Iron Man film, for no particular reason. However, as far as S.W.O.R.D., the change from "World" to "Weapon" is a curious one, because it suggests that S.W.O.R.D. may expand its reach in the future of the MCU. Instead of solely looking at potential alien risks, for instance, the agency could pay attention to superpowered individuals who can't quite control their abilities (I.E., "sentient weapons"). Seeing as how WandaVision takes these characters through various time periods — and may very well introduce the MCU's multiverse — it's possible that S.W.O.R.D. wants to get on the scene specifically to figure out what's going on with Scarlet Witch, especially if she's threatening countless dimensions.
One thing's abundantly clear: This won't be the last time we see S.W.O.R.D.
With a Secret Invasion series coming to Disney+, there's a good chance the organization comes into play to deal with some kind of looming alien threat. Luckily, we should get more answers as to how exactly S.W.O.R.D. will factor into the future of the MCU when WandaVision premieres.