For years, Marvel fans have wrestled with a profound question: "What is grief, if not love persevering?" This question echoes through the MCU, especially concerning Vision, the android character portrayed by Paul Bettany. After his devastating demise in "Avengers: Infinity War," only to be resurrected in the mind-bending Disney+ series "WandaVision," the anticipation for his return has been palpable. Now, the wait is almost over! Vision is set to reappear in the upcoming Disney+ series "Vision Quest," slated for release in 2026.
Marvel ignited excitement at New York Comic Con by unveiling the first trailer for "Vision Quest" exclusively to attendees. The trailer offered glimpses of Bettany reprising his role as White Vision, last seen at the conclusion of "WandaVision," alongside a seemingly ordinary human version of the character. But here's where it gets controversial... The trailer also showcased human representations of Ultron, originally voiced by James Spader in "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and the various AI programs that have assisted Tony Stark over the years: Jarvis, Friday, and Edith. And this is the part most people miss... A fleeting shot at the trailer's end revealed an adult Tommy, Vision and Wanda's son, who was introduced as a child in "WandaVision," suggesting a significant time jump.
"Vision Quest" has been described as the concluding chapter in a trilogy that began with "WandaVision" and continues with "Agatha All Along." The trailer depicts Bettany's Vision approaching a grand white mansion, where he's greeted by seemingly human servants. But these individuals are, in reality, recreations of the very AI programs that once served Tony Stark. We see Jarvis, Tony Stark's original AI assistant who eventually evolved into Vision himself; Friday, who succeeded Jarvis as Stark's AI companion and later aided Spider-Man; and Edith, the AI embedded in Stark's sunglasses, inherited by Peter Parker in "Spider-Man: Far From Home." This raises a lot of questions: What is the significance of these AI programs taking human form? Are they merely echoes of the past, or do they hold a key to Vision's future?
Adding another layer of intrigue, James Spader returns to voice Ultron, the genocidal AI from "Avengers: Age of Ultron," whom Vision seemingly destroyed (though the actual moment occurred off-screen). Alongside his return as the voice of Ultron, Spader also appears as a human figure in the trailer. Could this human form represent Ultron's attempt to integrate or understand humanity? It's a fascinating twist on the character. The "Vision Quest" cast also includes Todd Stashwick, T'Nia Miller, Ruaridh Mollica, and Emily Hampshire, promising a compelling ensemble. The series is created, showrun, and executive produced by Terry Matalas, known for his work on "Star Trek: Picard," suggesting a sophisticated and thought-provoking narrative.
To fully appreciate Vision's journey, it's essential to revisit his previous appearances. One of the most heartbreaking moments for Marvel fans was witnessing Thanos obliterate Vision in "Avengers: Infinity War," ripping the Mind Stone from his forehead and instantly killing him before enacting his devastating snap. Yet, Vision was mysteriously resurrected in "WandaVision," living a seemingly idyllic, domestic life alongside Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch. However, the miniseries gradually revealed that Wanda was grappling with profound mental instability, and the peaceful, sitcom-esque world she shared with Vision was a magical construct born from her overwhelming grief. It's ultimately revealed that Wanda had stolen Vision's lifeless body from S.W.O.R.D., a government organization, and reanimated it using her dark and potent magic. This recreated Vision possessed no memory of his former life or death, leading to a confrontation with a government-controlled, all-white Vision sent to eliminate him. This White Vision, after absorbing all of his previous memories, departed on his own quest.
Wanda's story continued in 2022's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," where she underwent a dramatic transformation, becoming the film's primary antagonist. In 2024, Joe Locke (of "Heartstopper" fame) portrayed Billy, Wanda and Vision's son, in the "WandaVision" spin-off "Agatha All Along," starring Kathryn Hahn as the enigmatic witch Agatha Harkness. That series concluded with Agatha and Billy embarking on a search for Billy's brother, Tommy. It seems "Vision Quest" will age up Tommy, mirroring the approach taken with Billy in "Agatha All Along." This hints at a larger narrative involving the Maximoff family and their intertwined destinies.
Now, with "Vision Quest" on the horizon, the burning question remains: What will become of Vision? Will he find peace, purpose, or something else entirely? What role will Ultron and these humanized AI programs play in his journey? And perhaps most importantly, what are your predictions for Tommy's role in the series? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below!
