Paul Bettany Says Vision Is "Haunted" by Wanda Maximoff in VISIONQUEST, But Marvel Never Planned to Bring Her Back
Wanda Maximoff may be gone, but Vision can't seem to escape her. Marvel's VisionQuest is bringing Paul Bettany back as the beloved android, and while Elizabeth Olsen isn't returning as Scarlet Witch, her character still plays a major role in the story.
Bettany describes Wanda as a "ghost" that Vision is haunted by, which makes sense considering everything these two have been through in the MCU.
Although VisionQuest serves as the final chapter of the trilogy that began with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along, this story belongs to White Vision. According to showrunner Terry Matalas, bringing Wanda back was never part of the plan.
Speaking with GamesRadar+, Matalas explained why the series needed to move forward without Scarlet Witch, whose apparent death came in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
"She died in that big movie. It's Vision's moment now. WandaVision gave almost just a blank canvas with that White Vision into asking himself, 'Who am I without her? Who am I with these memories?' And so, it was just a perfect launching point for something new."
It's an interesting direction for Vision, especially since White Vision possesses memories of a life he didn't actually experience in the same way as the original character. He remembers Wanda and their relationship, but figuring out what those memories mean to him is another matter entirely.
Bettany admitted that returning to the role without Olsen felt strange at first. After all, Wanda has been central to Vision's journey since their relationship began in the MCU. But her absence is also a major part of what drives his character in VisionQuest.
"Yes, but then largely it is you know about the absence of her and his inability to connect to that loss," he explains. "So I feel like she is a ghost, you know, that he is chasing, haunted by."
That's a heartbreaking way to describe Vision's situation. He's carrying around memories of someone he loved, yet he struggles to understand his connection to those feelings.
The series makes sure Wanda remains part of his journey, even without Olsen appearing onscreen. In the opening episodes, Vision repeatedly revisits events from WandaVision, and there's even a clever Easter egg revealing that Wanda is literally embedded in his code.
Things get even more complicated in Episode 2 when Vision encounters Tommy Shepherd, who remembers Wanda and Vision as his parents. That reunion introduces another emotional challenge for an android still trying to understand his own identity.
The family complications don't end there, either. Vision also has to contend with his creator, Ultron, who continually reminds him where he came from.
Between Wanda's lingering influence, Tommy's memories of his parents, and Ultron's connection to his creation, Vision has plenty to sort through as he tries to figure out who he is now.
I actually like that Marvel is giving Vision the opportunity to carry his own story without bringing Wanda back. Their relationship was such a huge part of WandaVision, but there's something compelling about exploring what happens when one half of that relationship is left with the memories but can't fully connect with the emotions behind them.
It also gives Bettany a chance to explore a different side of a character he's been playing for years.
VisionQuest is an eight-episode Marvel series currently rolling out on Disney+ with an unusual weekly release schedule.
What do you think about Wanda Maximoff being absent from VisionQuest? Would you have liked to see Elizabeth Olsen return, or are you happy that Marvel is keeping the focus on White Vision?