Summary
Marvel Studioshead Kevin Feige always has multiple irons in the fire and various future plans laid out. This truth has become exponential thanks to the advent of Disney+ and Marvel’s various streaming shows. Now, rumors are circulating that Marvel fully intends for a returning villain to have a large part to play going forward in the MCU.
What is there to say about theMarvel Cinematic Universeat this point in time? After debuting in 2008 withIron Man, the franchise became the hottest property Hollywood has ever seen (outside of perhapsStar Warsin the late-’70s and early-’80s). A decade of box office dominance followed, with theAvengersseries being the particular standout.It’s hard to argue against the idea that the MCU peakedwith 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, a genuine pop culture phenomenon that grossed nearly $3 billion at the worldwide box office. With Marvel Studios taking over the television side of things with Disney+’s creation, the MCU has only ballooned sinceEndgame, even as the overall quality has dipped and general interest has waned. The MCU’s post-Endgamecollection of films and television series—known as the Multiverse Saga—is set to end with 2027’sAvengers: Secret Wars, leaving fans wondering whatthe future holds for the Marvel Studios franchise.
Noted Hollywood leaker Daniel Richtman is claiming thatMarvel “has plans for Ultron to return for multiple projects” afterVision(also known under its working titleVision Quest).Of course, all leaks and rumors could prove to be false, but it is interesting that Marvel plans on keeping James Spader’s Ultron around for the long term following theVisionseries. Filming on the series began this past March, and the show is set to hit Disney+ at some point in 2026. This means fans won’t have seen Ultron onscreen (we’re not includingWhat If…?here for obvious reasons) for over a decade, as he met his supposed demise at the hands of Vision duringthe finale of 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron.
Marvel Studios Is Rumored To Have Big Plans For James Spader’s Ultron Going Forward In The MCU
Not all that much is currently known about theVisionseries. It is set to follow the reincarnated white Vision played by Paul Bettany, who was last seen in 2021’sWandaVision. Obviously, Spader is returning as Ultron, but Faran Tahir’s Raza—a villain who was also killed off back in 2008’sIron Man—is also set for his MCU return as well. We also know thatThe Haunting of Bly Manor’s T’Nia Miller has been cast as comic book favorite Jocasta and thatEmily Hampshire is taking over the role of Tony Stark’s E.D.I.T.H. AIfromSpider-Man: Far From Home.
Terry Matalas, the creative force behind sci-fi shows like12 MonkeysandStar Trek: Picard, took over the development ofVisionfromWandaVisionandAgatha All Along’s Jac Schaeffer back in 2024. It’s clear thatVisionwill have some kind of connection toWandaVision, but with Matalas taking over from Schaeffer,it’s hard to know what the vibe will be in comparison. IfMarvel Studiosdoes have big plans for Ultron in the future of the MCU, look for him not to get killed off this time around. More James Spader is great for everyone, after all.
