Ultron’s recent Marvel Comics return may provide a blueprint for theMCU, but Marvel Television’s upcomingVisionseries should avoid copying this controversial storyline. James Spader was confirmed to be reprising his role of the tyrannicalUltron in the MCU’sVisionseriesin August 2024, set to bring back his iconic villain from 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron. There has been a great deal of speculation surrounding Ultron’s return alongside Paul Bettany’s White Vision, and a new Marvel Comics story may have revealed how the deadly artificial intelligence could reappear.
The MCU has always been loosely adapted from the stories of Marvel Comics' rich almost-80-year history, though the live-action franchise hasn’t always stayed true to the comics. In fact,changes have often been made to the comics' Marvel Universe to coincide with the MCU, which means recent Marvel Comics storylines could reveal new details about upcoming projectsin Marvel’s live-action franchise. This spells both good news forUltron in theVisionseries, but also opens the door for a storyline that the MCU should actually try to avoid repeating.
Ultron Has Just Returned As A Hero In Marvel Comics
Ultron Returned As A West Coast Avenger In November 2024
Released on June 14, 2025, Marvel Comics’West Coast Avengers (Vol. 4) #1introduces a new version of the titular West Coast Avengers to the Marvel Universe.Comprised by Iron Man and War Machine, this version of the West Coast Avengers includes villains seeking redemption, including Ultron. In recent months, the MCU’sVisionseries has been speculated to be including theformation of the West Coast Avengers, of which White Vision is an original member in Marvel Comics, soWest Coast Avengers #1lays out an interesting blueprint for Ultron’s return in the series.
These Heroes Can Make Up MCU’s West Coast Avengers Team
The West Coast Avengers may be on their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe–but which superheroes could be a part of this new offshoot team?
It’s very possible that, should the West Coast Avengers come together in the MCU in Phase 6, that a redeemed version ofJames Spader’s Ultroncould be included in the team’s roster. Some may find it interesting to see Ultron stand alongside some of the MCU’s most powerful West Coast heroes, such as Ant-Man, She-Hulk, Shang-Chi and Wonder Man. However,featuring Ultron as a hero in theVisionseries could be a huge misstep for Marvel Studios, which the company is surely actively trying to avoid following recent criticisms.
Nobody Needs Ultron As A Hero In The MCU
Ultron Needs To Be A Villain In The MCU’s Phase 6
Confirmation of James Spader’s return to the MCU as Ultron is very exciting, as many consider the tyrannical robot to be one of the franchise’s most wasted villains.TheVisionseries presents the opportunity for Ultron to finally make more of a mark on the MCU as a major antagonist, whether that be in philosophical battles withWhite Vision, or as the commander of an epic robot army. Reintroducing Ultron to the MCU as a hero would spoil this dramatic return, particularly after he came to the realization that humanity must be eradicated inAvengers: Age of Ultron.
Marvel Television’sVisionseries is scheduled to be released in 2026 as part of the MCU’s Phase 6.Star Trek: Picard’sTerry Matalas has been hired as the series' showrunner, and the show will beWandaVision’ssecond spinoff afterAgatha All Along, so is expected to explore many of the same themes as Jac Schaeffer’s Phase 4 and 5 shows.
This conclusion isn’t exactly something a powerful villain would walk back on, but Marvel Studios may have the opportunity to feature both these storylines.Ultron could be a brief member of the West Coast Avengers before revealing his true colors, just as he does at the end of 2024’sWest Coast Avengers #1.Ultron is and always will be a supervillain, so Marvel Studios should keep him that way in the upcomingVisionseries, and avoid pulling off the superhero movie trope of reforming every villain and transforming them into formidable heroes.
Vision Quest
Cast
Vision Quest explores Vision’s journey to reclaim his identity following the events of WandaVision. As he attempts to restore his memory and humanity, the narrative delves into themes of self-discovery and transformation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s expansive storyline.
