Star Trek: Picard‘s Terry Matalas is working on the next series of the as-yet-untitled Disney+ show, which centers on Marvel’s Vision, with Paul Bettany set to return as the emotionally evolved title android, and it’s been confirmed that another artificial intelligence, 2015 “Star Wars” villain Ultron, will join the cast. Avengers: Age of UltronJames Spader will be reprising his role.
The news comes from The Hollywood Reporter, and marks the first major update on the Vision series since Matalas’ involvement was confirmed back in May, when he was cast to voice the character Spader was to play. Age of Ultron Even without knowing what plot Matalas and company are up to, it makes some sense. As Marvel fans will remember, Ultron was created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner with the help of Loki’s scepter. The plan quickly went awry when Ultron, ostensibly a planetary defense program, became self-aware, built his own body, assembled an army, and basically became a bad guy that the Avengers had to defeat. He also performed the creepiest version of a Disney classic: the freedom anthem “I’ve Got No Strings.” Pinocchio.
Of course, in the process, Vision was born using Stark’s JARVIS AI, a synthezoid body, the Mind Stone, and Thor’s magical powers. Age of Ultronand Vision, when we last saw him, WandaVisionSo, the circumstances that bring these two back together should be interesting to watch. Will they be enemies? Will they be best friends? Will they be a robot superteam? Will they be two ghosts in a machine wreaking havoc together?
We may have to wait a while to find out. As THR points out, “The series is WandaVision and, Agatha All Along“Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, is an important character in Vision’s life, but doesn’t seem to be doing that well in the MCU.” Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessIt’s not yet clear whether he’ll return.
In line with Marvel’s new plan to release fewer films and series per year than in recent years, the Vision series is set to debut on Disney+ in 2026. Does Spader’s involvement add to the excitement?
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