James Spader is reportedly returning as Ultron in the Vision-focused WandaVision spinoff series set to debut on Disney+.
Deadline broke the news and reports that Spader, who initially voiced the Marvel villain in the 2015 film Avengers: Age of Ultron, “may not be voiceover” this time around. While that could hint at a more in-person performance, there’s no official info regarding plot and character development to go on.
The still-untitled series will have Terry Matalas, known for Star Trek: Picard, on board as showrunner. Paul Bettany is set to reprise his role as Vision, a character he has portrayed in multiple Marvel films and the original WandaVision series. Production is looking to start in early 2025.
In Age of Ultron, Stark and Banner found an artificial intelligence within the gem of Loki’s scepter and secretly used it to finish Stark’s “Ultron” global defence program. However, Ultron became sentient and, believing humanity was a threat to Earth, eliminated Stark’s AI, J.A.R.V.I.S., and attacked the Avengers. In the film’s climax, Vision ultimately destroyed Ultron’s final body.
As said, Disney+ has kept specific details of the upcoming Vision series under tight wraps, although early hints suggest that the story will explore Vision’s attempt to regain his humanity. That, of course, means that the door is open for Elizabeth Olsen to return as Wanda Maximoff, aka Scarlett Witch. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the still-untitled series “is intended to be the third instalment in a trilogy that began with WandaVision and continues with Agatha: All Along.”
Avengers: Infinity War saw Vision perish at the hands of supervillain Thanos. He was resurrected and brought back in WandaVision, which also saw the rise of a synthezoid version, The White Vision. The two versions of Vision faced off during the show’s climax. The confrontation culminated with White Vision being given back his memories, including his time with the Avengers and his love for Wanda Maximoff. “I am Vision,” he declared, before flying away from Westview.
Here’s a look back at when the Avengers first faced Ultron:
