Paul Bettany Teases Ultron’s Big Role in VISIONQUEST and Hints at a Return for AVENGERS: SECRET WARS
Marvel fans are getting a clearer idea of what to expect from VisionQuest, and it sounds like the upcoming Disney+ series is going to dig deep into Vision’s fractured identity while bringing back one of the MCU’s most entertaining villains.
According to Paul Bettany, the relationship between Vision and Ultron sits right at the center of the story, and it sounds like James Spader is having an absolute blast stepping back into the role.
The series picks up after the events of WandaVision, with White Vision flying off after regaining the memories of the original Vision.
This new chapter follows the former Avenger as he tries to reconnect with his emotions and figure out who he really is now. Along the way, he’ll encounter several familiar AI characters from Marvel history, including Ultron himself.
Bettany recently opened up about the series while speaking with Josh Horowitz and made it clear that Marvel is taking some ambitious swings with the project.
He explained: "It manages to feel very much like it's somehow part of [the MCU], an end to a trilogy, whilst also being very much its own thing. And it is just really good. I'm really proud of it."
The actor went on to praise the work being done on the series during post-production, saying: "We've been in editorial for a long while now, and I keep seeing cuts of it that just are getting better and better and then as all the effects get placed... it's funny, and it's moving, and it's super exciting, and [showrunner Terry Matalas] did a grand job."
That’s a promising update, especially considering how much mystery is still surrounding the show. Marvel has kept most story details tightly under wraps, but VisionQuest sounds like it’s aiming for something more emotional and character-driven while still delivering the weird sci-fi energy fans expect from Vision stories.
Of course, one of the biggest reveals attached to the series is the return of Ultron. Bettany couldn’t stop praising Spader’s performance when asked about reuniting with him after Avengers: Age of Ultron.
He said: "He is delicious. He's so funny in this. It's so delicious to watch him. And we loved working together. I loved it so much."
When Horowitz tried to get more specifics about Ultron’s appearance in the show, Bettany stayed careful with spoilers but did confirm just how important the character is to the story. "The story largely revolves around that relationship. And it's really fun. It's fun stuff."
That’s a pretty huge tease considering Vision literally owes his existence to Ultron. Their twisted father-son dynamic was only lightly touched on in Age of Ultron, but VisionQuest sounds ready to fully explore it.
Showrunner Terry Matalas has already confirmed that Ultron’s robotic form will appear, while footage shown during the Disney Upfronts reportedly featured a bearded Spader portraying a human version of the villain.
That version of Ultron is rumored to exist within Vision’s consciousness, which honestly feels perfectly bizarre for this corner of the MCU.
The series also appears set to close out the story thread that started in WandaVision and continued in Agatha All Along. If Vision fully restores himself, it seems inevitable that he’ll eventually go searching for Wanda Maximoff. Then there’s the emotional complication of meeting Billy and Tommy, Wanda’s twin sons.
Looking even further ahead, Bettany also addressed whether Vision could appear in Avengers: Secret Wars. His answer wasn’t exactly definitive, but it certainly sounds possible.
"I think so. As much as, touch wood, it keeps the kids in private school, anything going on at Marvel, they change their mind, or you really do never know. It's true that you never know, by the way."
He then shared a pretty great story about how secretive Marvel can be with its actors: "I mean, when we all died [in Avengers: Infinity War], we found out that day.
“They took us into a trailer with pre-vis, and everybody was sitting watching the screen, going, 'Oh, I die.' Nobody knew. We didn't know. So, you really don't know. They really do keep this stuff very secret."
At this point, it would honestly be surprising if Vision didn’t factor into Secret Wars somehow, especially if VisionQuest successfully restores the character as a major player in the MCU again.
Alongside Bettany and Spader, VisionQuest also stars Ruaridh Mollica as Tommy Maximoff, T'Nia Miller as Jocasta, James D'Arcy as J.A.R.V.I.S., Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y., Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., Henry Lewis as D.U.M.-E, Jonathan Sayer as U, Todd Stashwick as Paladin, and Faran Tahir as Raza.
Right now, VisionQuest feels like one of Marvel’s most unpredictable upcoming projects, and I’m excited to see how it turn out!