MCU Vision Quest Show: Everything We Know

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Vision Quest

Following WandaVision, a lot of details about Vision were left open-ended, but the MCU's spinoff Vision series can answer those questions. Vision was introduced to Marvel's mega-franchise in Avengers: Age of Ultron when he was created from vibranium and brought to life by the Mind Stone. He then went on to become the most powerful Avenger. The superhero formed a romantic relationship with Wanda Maximoff in Captain America: Civil War, but she ultimately had to watch him die — twice. Vision convinced Wanda to destroy the Mind Stone so that Thanos couldn't retrieve it in Avengers: Infinity War; he died again when Thanos reversed time to collect the stone.

As the Scarlet Witch, Wanda became all-powerful in the show WandaVision. She resurrected Vision when her grieving became too much, and she cast a hex over Westview's population and led a happy-go-lucky, white-picket-fence life with him and their two children. In the Disney+ series, S.W.O.R.D. created White Vision, a replica of the original. He was simply meant to be a weapon to destroy Vision and kill Wanda. Instead, he gained the real Vision's memories, stated, "I am Vision," and flew out of Westview with his newfound knowledge. While it isn't clear what happened to White Vision, the upcoming Vision series will continue the character's arc.

Vision Series Latest News

White Vision looking at his hand in WandaVision

The newest information revealed for the MCU Vision series came in September and August 2024 respectively. In September, The Hollywood Reporter reported that actor Todd Stashwick would be part of the Vision show cast. In August, the outlet also reported that James Spader would be returning as Ultron in the upcoming show, adding some notable faces to the upcoming character roster.

Since Ultron was last seen seemingly being destroyed for good in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, this has some major potential for the series, and could potentially restore a major antagonist to the MCU for the foreseeable future. Even failing this, though, getting to see Vision interact with the being who is responsible for creating his body is sure to be a fascinating part of the upcoming Marvel show.

Split image of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk in the opening fight of Avengers Age of Ultron (2015) on the left, Ultron in the final battle of Avengers Age of Ultron on the right

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May 2024 brought new information after a considerable period of uncertainty about what was happening with the MCU Vision series. Variety revealed that Star Trek: Picard executive producer Terry Matalas will serve as the showrunner for the upcoming series, allowing the creator's sci-fi skills to translate into the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the continuation of White Vision's existential journey. The report also unveiled a 2026 release date for the series, providing a tangible window for audiences to look forward to the series releasing within - and proving it will release in the Multiverse Saga.

Notably, reports for the Vision series have been without mention of its original Vision Quest title, suggesting this original moniker for the installment has been changed or let go of altogether. Given this title was first unveiled in 2022 with the initial announcement of the series, it does make sense that Marvel may wish to alter it, especially given how much has changed about creating MCU shows in the time period between the original announcement and now.

Vision Series Confirmed

Vision with the Infinity Stone in his head from the MCU

In total, Vision has died five times, which is just as many MCU projects that have involved the character. He died twice for real in Avengers: Infinity War, twice as a magical creation in WandaVision, and once in Marvel's What If...?, but nobody stays dead in the MCU. Another version of Vision will return in Marvel Studios' Disney+ Vision series, which has been officially confirmed (via Deadline). Though Hex Vision was destroyed when Wanda ended her spell at the end of WandaVision, the Vision series will follow White Vision, who made his debut in the previous show. WandaVision's writer and executive producer, Jac Schaeffer, is leading the production once again.

Vision Series Release Information

The Vision series was revealed in May 2024 to be set for a 2026 release date, according to a Variety report that provided updates on the MCU installment. This is in line with previous predictions about the release, which placed it within Phase 5 or 6 of the Multiverse Saga on account of it being set to go into production in 2024.

While a 2026 window is perhaps slightly later than some may have expected, this also correlates with discussions surrounding the MCU's release timeline, with executives stating that the franchise's aim going forward was to spread releases out more. This also means the Vision series will release after a fair few years of the MCU working on how to handle shows after WandaVision led the proverbial charge on Disney+ in 2021, which should help ensure the story is handled appropriately, and matters like how many episodes to give the series are given full consideration.

The 2026 release window also places the Vision series' release closer to Avengers 5, suggesting a closer possible connection between the two releases. Indeed, with Vision being one of the few remaining focal Avengers still alive and still seemingly operating as a superhero in the franchise, the Vision series could well serve to set the character up for a more integral role in the Avengers going forward.

Even if White Vision ends up without the heroic motivations of his original form, the multiverse-wide threats the next Avengers movies appear set to put in motion could be enough to align him with the MCU's heroes, making a 2026 series all the more pertinent. That said, Agatha All Along bringing back Wanda and Vision's son Billy means he could fit into that story any time from now.

Vision Series Cast

It can be safely assumed that Paul Bettany will return for the Vision show as the titular superhero - which seemingly wouldn't have taken much convincing, as Bettany is always excited to return as Vision. After working on WandaVision, Bettany stated, "You never know with Marvel, whether you’re done, or not. So I don’t want to call it the end yet. This was one of the most creative experiences of my life, joyful and free, making this show." However, given that Bettany has been part of the MCU for over a decade (first as the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S.), the Vision series could be his farewell.

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2024 also brought the news that James Spader will reportedly be returning as Ultron in the MCU Vision series, which will see the actor reprise the role after over a decade, following the Marvel villain's appearance as the focal antagonist of Avengers: Age Of Ultron. This supports the idea that the story will continue White Vision's existential quest as it was introduced in WandaVision, especially since Age Of Ultron saw Ultron create Vision's body with the help of geneticist Doctor Helen Cho.

While the AI intended to use this body as his own vessel, it would end up becoming the body of Vision instead, meaning that Ultron is partly responsible for Vision's creation. As such, it stands to reason that White Vision would have a lot of questions for Ultron, and that any prospective interaction between the pair would have colossal implications for both of their arcs, particularly if Ultron's return itself ends up being somehow tied to Vision's own revival, which certainly seems possible.

Similarly, September 2024 saw reports that Todd Stashwick will also be joining the Vision series, once again finding himself on the same creative project as Picard showrunner Terry Matalas after the pair's time working together on the Star Trek show. It's currently not known what Stashwick's role in the MCU will be, but this could well be a key role in the release, given the actor has been one of very few confirmed castings.

Though Bettany and Spader are the only certainties when it comes to the Vision show's casting, there are tons of other actors who have been speculated to be involved. The first obvious possibility is Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda since she and Vision are so closely connected in the MCU. As the show is essentially a follow-up to WandaVision, it's likely that she will appear in some capacity, even if she did die off-screen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Other Marvel characters who could appear in the Vision series include Ultron, War Machine, and Iron Heart, but there haven't been any confirmations yet.

Vision Series Story Details

The Vision and His Kids Viv and Vin and His Wife Virginia

It's unlikely that the Vision series will follow the Marvel comic Vision Quest, despite the show originally having the same name. While that was one of Vision's most important stories in the comics, it has already been told in the MCU.

The comic version sees Vision being treated as a threat and dismantled by the government. His memory is wiped, and then he is weaponized. In the comics, he also learns that his children are just illusions created by Wanda. While a version of this story is ultimately told in WandaVision, it's a great set-up that can go in many exciting directions.

White Vision in front of Red Vision in the MCU

Paul Bettany Opens Up About Agatha All Along, Teases Vision Quest Connection

WandaVision star Paul Bettany opens up about Agatha All Along and teases that it may have an impact on Vision's story in the MCU moving forward.

The reports that James Spader will appear as Ultron in the upcoming Vision show shed a little more light on what to expect from the series, as Ultron appearing in some capacity sets up both a strong prospective story for White Vision - in that he's searching for who he is, and encountering a being not dissimilar to him will no doubt help further his questions - and also establishes a prospective villain for the show, since it's unlikely Ultron has turned into a paragon of compassion in the time between the Vision show's release and when audiences last saw him.

Letting Vision face off against Ultron could in many ways be the best way to cement him as a hero, by underscoring how much compassion and humanity is in the synthezoid by comparing and contrasting him to Ultron's ruthless calculated machine approach to matters. That said, while it's unlikely Ultron has majorly changed in the seven years since audiences last saw the character, it's possible Vision could get through to him in a way even his human creators could not, meaning there is also the prospect that Vision could at least challenge Ultron's perspective a little.

The Vision series could heavily feature Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), as the characters are closely tied together, which dates all the way back to the birth of Vision. In Avengers: Infinity War, Banner told Vision, "Your mind is made up of a complex construct of overlays. J.A.R.V.I.S., Ultron, Tony, me, the Stone. All of them mixed together." When White Vision flies away at the end of WandaVision with his new memories, it's assumed that he's going to learn more about his existence. As Tony died and the Mind Stone and Ultron have been destroyed, the only person left for Vision to visit is Bruce.

One of the most exciting possibilities that the Vision series could explore is the young superhero team Marvel Champions. In the comics, after the events of Vision Quest, Vision flees to Virginia where he builds his own synthezoid family, and one of those family members is his daughter, Vivian, or "Viv". She becomes a part of one of the more modern Marvel teams, the Marvel Champions, which includes Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, and Nova. Kamala Khan was introduced in Ms. Marvel and Nova is also in development, so there is a strong possibility that the Vision series could be another building block for Marvel Champions.

How Vision Quest Could Connect To WandaVision's Other Sequel Show

Though WandaVision isn't seeing an official season 2, there are actually two series that act as sequel to the MCU's first TV series. The first of the two was Agatha All Along, which aired its last episode on October 30, 2024. Agatha All Along ended with Billy Kaplan (Maximoff) embracing his role as Wiccan and going with Agatha to find his brother Tommy. Being Vision's "children" in WandaVision, Billy and Tommy are directly tied to the character and Vision Quest could see the two of them appear at some point in the series.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Paul Bettany, opened up about Agatha All Along and hinted at it possibly tying into his story in Vision Quest, stating: "I love it. I love it and I’m so proud of [showrunner] Jac Schaeffer and I am going to watch again because there’s so much for me to learn moving forward into my contribution." Though it isn't a direct confirmation that Vision Quest will follow the events of Agatha All Along, it makes sense that they will tie in at some point, making it a significant project for the MCU.

Marvel Studios' Vision Quest is a limited series set in the MCU and released on Disney+. It reveals the fate of Paul Bettany's resurrected Avenger, which was last seen fleeing Westview at the end of 2021's WandaVision. After the original synthezoid died at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, his body was reassembled by the secret organization SWORD, and his consciousness was restored by Scarlet Witch's magically recreated version of the robot.