James Spader as voice of Ultron in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Preview:
- James Spader will be back in performance capture gear as Ultron.
- The ‘Age of Ultron’ villain will reappear for Marvel’s series focused on Vision.
- Paul Bettany returns as the title character.
If we’re honest, while ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ didn’t quite match up to ‘The Avengers’, there’s no denying that James Spader’s wholehearted and often kooky performance as the rogue artificial intelligence Ultron was certainly an entertaining reason to watch it.
And despite his seeming destruction at the end of the movie (more on that below), Marvel is looking to bring him back for the new ‘Vision’ series spun-off from ‘WandaVision’ that will see Paul Bettany retuning as the android hero.
What’s the story of the ‘Vision’ series?
Paul Bettany as The Vision in Marvel Studios’ ‘Wandavision’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
There are no concrete plot details about the new show yet, but back when it was first mooted, there was talk of the “White” Vision looking to reclaim his memories, in a continuation of his storyline.
After Vision died at the hands of Thanos in 2018’s ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ he returned twice over in 2021’s ‘WandaVision,’ first as a spectral creation by his beloved, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), through magic powered by grief; then as a rebuilt, nuts-and-bolts android with a ghost white appearance and zero memory of his past life.
When the two Visions battled in the ‘WandaVision’ finale, Wanda’s Vision restored the “ghost” Vision’s memories, then Wanda allowed her Vision to fade from existence. The new show will take place after those events, as ghost Vision presumably explores his new purpose in life.
Who is making the ‘Vision’ series?
(L to R) Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen in Marvel Studios’ ‘Wandavision’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Unlike ‘Agatha All Along’ (which will be on Disney+ with its first two episodes on September 18th), the new show is being handled by someone other than ‘WandaVision’ creator Jac Schaeffer.
Marvel has hired Terry Matalas, who has worked on shows such as ’12 Monkeys’, ‘Terra Nova’, but rose to acclaim thanks to his efforts overseeing ‘Star Trek: Picard’ Season 3, which definitely pleased fans more than earlier seasons, to run the new ‘Vision’ series.
His work on ‘Picard’ certainly caught the attention of avowed ‘Trek’ fan Kevin Feige, and so Matalas now has the job. The only people who might be upset are those eagerly awaiting the much-talked-about ‘Star Trek: Legacy’ show seemingly set up by the finale of ‘Picard’.
Related Article: Marvel Officially Orders ‘WandaVision’ Spin-Off Led by Paul Bettany
How will Ultron factor in?
James Spader as voice of Ultron in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
With zero plot getting loose from Marvel’s security field, the exact nature of Ultron’s appearance in the show is unknown for now.
But they certainly have history.
Ultron created Vision’s original synthetic body as the permanent home for his AI, but the Avengers intercepted it and instead placed Tony Stark’s AI assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. inside, creating Vision. At the end of ‘Age of Ultron,’ Vision confronts and, seemingly, destroys the final robot that contains Ultron’s consciousness.
Whether the casting suggests some fragment of Ultron survived in the world or is somehow locked inside of Vision’s mind given their connection, we’ll have to wait and see.
When will the ‘Vision’ series land on our screens?
Disney/Marvel is aiming to have the show arrive on Disney+ in 2026.
Paul Bettany as The Vision in Marvel Studios’ ‘Wandavision’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.