At this stage in the game, Marvel and multi-film contracts have almost become synonymous. As the studio continues to roll out its bold and ambitious plans for Phase Three and beyond, many of the actors recruited are signing on for more than one appearance, whether it’s Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Downey Jr. or Scarlett Johansson.
And one star that has already appeared across a plethora of Marvel films is Paul Bettany, better known as Tony Stark’s trusty AI companion, Jarvis. But with Avengers: Age of Ultron looming large on the horizon, the British actor’s contribution to the MCU will witness a considerable jump as he embodies the role of The Vision. In fact, according to Bettany himself, the studio “has plans” for his character beyond Joss Whedon’s upcoming sequel.
That’s the really great thing about the Marvel gig for me. I have never known if I have had a job six months out ever in my life. And now I know that they have plans and I can be even more judicious about the stuff that I do outside of that work. I can wait for the right thing and feel really attached to it.”
While nothing is set in stone at this stage, it seems likely that The Vision will make some form of cameo appearance in Marvel’s Phase Three. Given his affiliation with Stark, it would seem safe to assume that the first post-Age of Ultron role for Bettany would be Captain America: Civil War, though that is merely conjecture at this early stage.
Whatever the outcome, Bettany has ensured that he is fully prepared to don the superhero guise come May.
“I did a lot of research — and my research was watching all of the films. I realised they are so interlinked and I wanted to understand the universe I was in. So I did and it was a really amazing, fun experience — especially going from my tiny, 20-day movie with no money and no trailers to this behemoth film was just great.”
Avengers: Age of Ultron will bring together Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as they go toe-to-toe with the titular, power-hungry AI when the sequel arrives on Mary 1, 2015.