James Spader is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Emmy-winning actor is set to return as the voice of the robotic villain Ultron in Marvel Studio’s upcoming, yet-to-be-titled Vision series, which serves as a follow-up to the acclaimed WandaVision show. He first brought the character to life in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Paul Bettany is set to reprise his role as Vision, the android who fell in love with Scarlet Witch and was subsequently destroyed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. In WandaVision, he returned through a combination of magic and the power of grief, while also appearing as a rebuilt, ghostly white android.

Vision Quest

Terry Matalas, the acclaimed showrunner of Star Trek: Picard, is leading the new series, tentatively referred to as Vision Quest (though this is not its official title). The show will explore the journey of the white Vision as he seeks a new purpose in life.

Adding complexity to the narrative is the return of Ultron, the sentient being originally created by Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, as a defense program. However, Ultron turned against humanity, creating Vision as part of his plan. Before Vision could be fully activated by Ultron, the Avengers intervened, and the android was brought to life using the remnants of Stark’s AI, J.A.R.V.I.S., thanks to Bruce Banner and Tony Stark. This resulted in Vision becoming a unique entity, separate from both Ultron and J.A.R.V.I.S. Ultimately, Vision defied Ultron and aided the Avengers in their battle against him. If you’re fuzzy on the details, a rewatch of Avengers: Age of Ultron might be in order.

read more: Are the Taylor Swift Wembley Shows Safe?

James Spader Explains Why He Signed on as Ultron

James Spader, who describes himself as “not a planner” and someone who enjoys trying new things just to see what happens, shared with The Independent newspaper in the U.K. that he took on the role of Ultron not only because he anticipated it would be fun but also because Ultron and the Avengers hold a deep sense of nostalgia for him.

“When I was a kid,” Spader recalled, “my best friend had trunks full of comics, and I didn’t have any, so I used to love going for sleepovers at his house.” Adding to his excitement for the role is the fact that his own children are enthusiastic about it. “I have three sons, and two of them are really into comics, so they’re thrilled that I’m playing Ultron,” he shared.

There’s still some mystery around how Ultron will be portrayed—whether as the sleek robot from the comics or in a way that allows Spader to appear on camera. In a recent interview with The Inquirer, Spader offered a clue: “Just this weekend, I went in for them to take very extensive photographs, head scans, body scans, and all kinds of things to figure out how the hell I’m gonna fit into this Ultron character,” he explained.

Return of Age of Ultron.

Ultron was apparently destroyed at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron, leaving questions about how he might return and what his relationship with Vision would be in the new series.

This upcoming show is intended to be the final installment of a trilogy that began with WandaVision and will continue with Agatha All Along, set to premiere in September on Disney+. Production for the new series is anticipated to begin in England in early 2025.

James Spader is a veteran actor with a career that spans both film and television. He became a notable figure for the 1980s generation through films like Sex, Lies, and Videotape and Pretty in Pink. His role in Boston Legal brought him critical acclaim and solidified his reputation in the TV industry. Spader also made a memorable appearance on The Office and starred in the NBC crime drama The Blacklist for 10 seasons, from 2013 to 2023, where he portrayed a captivatingly sinister character.