James Spader Warns Ultron is Still a Major Threat in Marvel's VISIONQUEST
Ultron may have developed a greater appreciation for humanity, but don't mistake his new attitude for a change of heart. According to James Spader, the murderous AI is still every bit as dangerous in Marvel's VisionQuest, and giving him too much freedom could turn out to be a serious mistake.
The Disney+ series brings Spader back as Ultron, the villain who nearly wiped out humanity in Avengers: Age of Ultron. This time, however, he's operating under some very different circumstances.
Rather than commanding an army of killer robots, Ultron is hanging out inside Vision's mind, offering advice, exploring human art, and getting on the nerves of the four other AIs sharing the space.
Paul Bettany's Vision now has his old enemy living inside his head, and while Ultron seems a little more civilized these days, Spader warns that his destructive nature hasn't gone anywhere.
Speaking with TechRadar, Spader explained: “…I also think the inherent danger and threat that was so blatantly there in Age of Ultron is still present. All of that knowledge he consumed like junk food as a bratty teenager in Age of Ultron, a lot of that has been absorbed and processed.
“And, in that attic inside Vision’s head, he’s been given an odd amount of autonomy and freedom for someone who one must be careful with. So, you’ll see all of that plays out in these eight episodes.”
The first two episodes of VisionQuest have already shown that he's still capable of causing trouble, but they've also revealed a more thoughtful side to the character. He's had time to reflect on humanity, and instead of simply wanting to destroy it, he now seems genuinely interested in understanding what makes people tick.
When Vision expresses surprise at Ultron's apparent personal growth, the AI offers a rather telling explanation: “When you’ve been bested by something, it’s best to understand it.”
It's a strong bit of character development for someone who once decided that humanity's extinction was the best way to save the planet. Of course, understanding humans doesn't necessarily mean Ultron has developed any affection for them.
That's what makes his return so interesting. Ultron has always been incredibly intelligent, unpredictable, and convinced that his way of thinking is superior. Now he's had time to process everything he learned during the events of Age of Ultron, and it sounds like he's become even more complicated.
Spader's comments also raise questions about Vision's decision to give Ultron so much independence inside his own mind. That's a lot of trust to place in an AI with a history of mass murder, even one that seems to have mellowed out.
It'll be interesting to see whether Ultron's newfound understanding of humanity leads him toward something better or simply makes him a more effective threat.
Either way, having James Spader back in the MCU is awesome, and I'm glad Marvel is giving Ultron another opportunity to show what makes him such a fascinating villain.
VisionQuest consists of eight episodes, with new episodes premiering Wednesdays on Disney+.