Jac Schaeffer, showrunner of WandaVision, says the decision to change what S.W.O.R.D. stands for in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is part of a larger story. In Marvel comics, S.W.O.R.D.’s acronym stands for “Sentient World Observation and Response Department.” WandaVision season 1, episode 4,”We Interrupt This Program,” revealed that in the MCU it stands for “Sentient Weapon Observation Response Division.” This is a more apt name in the show’s context, given S.W.O.R.D. is investigating Scarlet Witch, who’s essentially a sentient weapon at this point.
The real reason behind the name change hasn’t been referenced or revealed on the show, and Marvel hasn’t spoken about the decision. However, WandaVision has hinted at S.W.O.R.D.’s MCU history as it relates to Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and her mother Maria (Lashana Lynch), who created it. Maria and Monica were both introduced in Captain Marvel, though that movie takes place in the 1990s, so they were much younger. By the time of the events seen in WandaVision, Monica is a S.W.O.R.D. agent, and Maria has passed away from cancer. All of this means speculation is rife about the reason for the agency’s rename.
Schaeffer was asked about the S.W.O.R.D. name change during an interview with /Film. Her response will likely lead to even more theories, with the writer and filmmaker, who is a central figure in the MCU currently, having also co-written Captain Marvel and Black Widow, simply saying of the name change, “That is a decision that has to do with larger story.” Typical of most Marvel creatives, Schaeffer doesn’t elaborate on that, leaving the mystery unclear, but perhaps hinting S.W.O.R.D. is set to play a larger part in the overall MCU going forward.
It makes sense Schaeffer is being as vague and mysterious as she possibly can regarding the name change. Though it’s hard to figure out anything definitive from her comment, it’s possible S.W.O.R.D. will wind up being a big part of the MCU’s future, perhaps similar to the way S.H.I.E.L.D. was a central organization during the first three phases. With WandaVision likely tying into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there is a good chance more will be revealed during that upcoming movie.
In the meantime, S.W.O.R.D. will also play a central part in WandaVision‘s remaining episodes. The show is just getting into the mystery at the heart of the plot, and there’s no doubt S.W.O.R.D. is going to end up having to tussle with Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) before anything is properly resolved. There’s also the matter of the huge WandaVision cameo Olsen can’t believe hasn’t leaked yet, which may be related to S.W.O.R.D. somehow. Hopefully, all will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Source: /Film
Originally from https://screenrant.com/wandavision-mcu-sword-name-change-reason-jac-schaeffer/