In a significant revelation, Episode 5 of Agatha All Along unveiled the character of Billy Kaplan, known in the superhero realm as Wiccan, who is the son of Scarlet Witch. This hints at the potential introduction of Hulkling, with an ideal actor in mind for the role.
Throughout the series, the mystery surrounding Joe Locke’s character has been somewhat apparent (though an early trailer inadvertently spoiled some details through its subtitles). Marvel has kept a tight lid on specifics; we know he has been affected by a sigil spell that prevents him from disclosing his name. He has a boyfriend named Eddie, although that relationship may not endure, and he seems to have dedicated his life to studying witchcraft under the tutelage of Agatha Harkness.
If you hadn’t caught on, Episode 5 leaves little room for doubt. Agatha informs him, “You resemble your mother closely,” confirming that Teen is indeed Billy Kaplan, aka Wiccan.
Who Is Wiccan?
Here’s a quick snapshot: Billy Kaplan, also known as Wiccan, is the reincarnated child of Wanda Maximoff.
In WandaVision, Wanda’s children, William and Tommy, were created through magic to fulfill her desire for a perfect life with Vision in Westview. However, when she lifted the hex, they ceased to exist, although Wanda attempted to reunite with them across the multiverse in Doctor Strange 2.
This echoes the comic storyline but with a crucial difference: Wanda birthed her twins from lost souls, later captured by Mephisto (but let’s save that discussion for another time). These souls were infused with immense magical power, which ultimately contributed to Mephisto’s downfall, albeit at the steep price of their own souls.
Nevertheless, William was reincarnated as Billy Kaplan in New York City. While the narrative in Agatha All Along diverges slightly, in the comics, he becomes a member of the Young Avengers, initially adopting the superhero guise of Asgardian (inspired by Thor) before embracing the name Wiccan.
His twin brother, Thomas, takes on the identity of Tommy Shepherd, or Speed. (Need I clarify what powers come with that name?)
Eventually, Vision discloses their true lineage, leading the brothers on a quest to locate the Scarlet Witch after the events of Civil War.
Wiccan and Hulkling’s Relationship
It remains uncertain whether Hulkling will make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but he is highly significant to Wiccan’s storyline. To summarize, Hulkling is a hybrid of Skrull and Kree lineage and is one of the Young Avengers—more critically, he’s also Wiccan’s love interest.
To give a brief background, in the comics, Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell, not Carol Danvers) had a short romance with a Skrull princess. Their child was brought to Earth to ensure his safety and raised as Theodore Altman. Like the Skrulls depicted in the MCU, he possesses shapeshifting abilities that allowed him to blend in at school.
Unbeknownst to him, he was included in the Avengers Fail-Safe Program, a contingency initiative designed to form an emergency team in the event of the Avengers being injured or disbanded. Iron Lad (a young version of Kang the Conqueror) discovered Teddy and invited him to join the Young Avengers, where he adopted the superhero name Hulkling.
Importantly, Hulkling shares no connection with the Hulk. His moniker stems from two key reasons: his admiration for the Hulk and his striking resemblance to him. That’s all there is to it.
So what about Wiccan? Following the events of Secret Wars (2015), he and Hulkling became members of the Avengers Idea Mechanics alongside Hawkeye, Songbird, and others. During this time, Wiccan was briefly possessed by an evil sorcerer but found the strength to overcome it with Hulkling’s support.
They eventually became part of the Young Avengers, where their initial flirtation transformed into one of the most celebrated LGBTQ+ relationships in the Marvel Universe.
“On his numerous adventures with various Avengers teams, Wiccan slowly fell for his teammate Hulkling, and their bond resonates across the cosmos to this day,” stated Marvel.
Why Kit Connor is the Ideal Hulkling
Kit Connor, who starred alongside Joe Locke in Heartstopper, would be an excellent choice to portray Hulkling. Although he might be reluctant about the idea, it’s a fitting match.
Season 3 of Heartstopper, which premiered last week, highlighted their chemistry and suggested they could excel in other projects together; if Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling can, why not Connor and Locke?
Moreover, there are indications this might be under consideration. Earlier in the year, MyTimeToShineHello reported that Marvel was considering Connor for the role. Given their track record, it’s wise to approach such rumors cautiously.
However, Alex P from The Cosmic Circus corroborated this by mentioning on Twitter, “So yes, it does seem a bit cliché due to Heartstopper, but it would definitely be a feasible option.”
Initially, there were speculations about Miles Gutierrez-Riley, who plays Eddie in Agatha All Along, taking on the Hulkling role, but that seems unlikely now.
Prior to the reveal about Wiccan, Locke expressed to Radio Times: “I would love to collaborate with Kit again. He is such a talented actor, and we have a great dynamic. Should the right opportunity present itself, I would be eager to work with him again.”
In an interview with MTV’s Josh Horowitz, Connor addressed the speculation surrounding the role. He either downplayed it intentionally or genuinely may not be interested.
“A friend sent me this rumor, but I’m not… at least not that I’m aware of. Joe is very immersed in Marvel and has some exciting projects coming up, and I wouldn’t want to steal his spotlight,” he remarked.
“I’m sure he’ll excel, and I’m eager to witness that. I think it’s best to let him shine for a good while.”
In another discussion with Omelette, he shared his hesitance regarding an MCU role. “Honestly, I don’t believe I would be an ideal fit for Hulkling,” he commented.
“I worry people might get bored of seeing Joe and me together if we kept working together in the coming years.”
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