Marvel Studios has released a first look at Marvel VisionQuest, a brand new series featuring Paul Bettany as Vision. The series will include eight episodes and will debut on Disney Plus on October 14, thus wrapping up the WandaVision saga, which has already comprised two series, WandaVision (2021) and Agatha All Along (2024).
The trailer depicts Vision being confused with the identity problems. Vision is shown to be living an ordinary life in the beginning of the trailer, serving in a restaurant until late in the evening. Upon recalling the time he spent in the restaurant with Wanda Maximoff, Vision sees "W+V" on the counter, and he comments that he was another person back then.
The trailer hints at focusing on Vision’s struggle with his identity and efforts to discover a deeper meaning in life for a character that has changed significantly since the series’ end. The Vision is no longer the powerful character that the viewers and the fans loved so much; he is traversing through the journey of his life, and bringing in memories of his times with Wanda.
Vision is shown to be living an ordinary life in the beginning of the trailer, serving in a restaurant until late in the evening. Upon recalling the time he spent in the restaurant with Wanda Maximoff, Vision sees "W+V" on the counter, and he comments that he was another person back then. The quote is the essence of the whole show, as it clearly depicts Vision’s struggle with his true identity.
Positive Points
Paul Bettany’s return as Vision is undoubtedly the main strength of the trailer. Bettany has been portraying this character for more than ten years already, starting with his voice of JARVIS in Iron Man (2008), and finally appearing physically in the role of Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Thus, his familiarity with the character is immediately visible.
The trailer also seems to understand that Vision’s storyline has to be more than just another superhero journey. Indeed, the uncertainty about his own identity provides the show with an emotional aspect, while the memories about Wanda bring one more dimension to the character.
In an ironic twist, Ultron turns out, instead of Vision, to be the character in the limelight. The most thrilling aspect of the trailer has to be the fact that James Spader returns to voice Ultron in the series. The actor's distinctive voice and creative energy easily generate interest. After being absent from MCU for such a long time, Ultron's return is far more thrilling than the absence of Vision from the MCU.
This fact can be both an advantage and a disadvantage at the same time. Ultron's comeback results in intriguing plot development, however there may be a risk that VisionQuest becomes more of an Ultron plot than simply a narrative centered around Vision.
Another plus of the mysterious atmosphere of the trailer is that Marvel does not make all of the plot clear. Instead, the studio keeps a lot of the story hidden, which can make the upcoming series more rewarding for its fans.
Negative Points
The most disappointing aspect of the trailer is the lack of Wanda Maximoff. Wanda, played by Elizabeth Olsen, is a crucial element of the Story of Vision and the story of WandaVision, yet the trailer gives no sign that she has any substantial role in this series.
From a perspective of storytelling, her absence might be justified, especially in case that Marvel wished to present Vision as a stand-alone character. Yet, despite their wish to separate Wanda from Vision, the experiences of the two characters make it quite difficult.
Another disadvantage of the trailer is its lack of clarity concerning the plot of the series. While the mystery might be good, there ought to be enough information for the audience to understand the main plot. At this point in time, it is only known that Vision is on the path of finding himself and that Ultron is back again, but it is not clear what exactly has happened.
The small number of the scenes makes it impossible to evaluate the magnitude of the series. Fans obviously expected to see something more impressive during the first look at a new series, and thus, are left disappointed.
In summary: The trailer for VisionQuest is enticing, but not wholly convincing. Paul Bettany is ideal for the character and the emotional questions around Vision's identity serve as a strong basis for the series. It was wise to bring James Spader back as Ultron, as this could lead to one of the most intriguing creator-vs-creation conflicts in the MCU so far.
Nonetheless, the trailer has its shortcomings. It can be claimed that Vision himself has not received sufficient development, while it can be said that the character of Ultron is depicted as the most captivating character of the show. Moreover, the absence of Wanda in the trailer is striking, considering the important part played by her relationship with Vision in the previous movie.