The thing we all assumed the second casting was announced is confirmed in the first official word on Avengers 2‘s plot. Mild spoiler warning.
Can something be considered a spoiler when it’s been released by the studio making the thing that could potentially be spoiled? I doubt it, but I know lots of you disagree and would prefer not know certain details in advance of seeing a new movie. So be warned, readers, that the next paragraph might actually contain something resembling a spoiler.
When it was announced that Paul Bettany will play Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, everyone assumed two things. One: That the film would be extra classy because that’s how Bettany rolls. And two: that it probably means that Vision and J.A.R.V.I.S., Tony Stark’s Iron Man-assisting A.I program (voiced by Paul Bettany), would be one and the same character. Until now, those associated with the production have refused to discuss the connection in any detail – though did strongly hint as much a few weeks back.) But today, Marvel finally confirmed the obvious with the release of the first official plot synopsis for the film.
The confirmation? The Avengers’ resident Android synthezoid is described as “an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.” So there you have it. The synopsis also confirms that Ultron starts out as a “peacekeeping” program, though since previously, Ultron was described as having been created to “solve problems”, this isn’t a reveal so much as a “oh, I see”.
As for the rest, hold on to your hats – it’s now confirmed that every single previously-announced cast member will, in fact, appear in the film. I know, I know, shocker. Anyway, without further ado, here’s the synopsis:
Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.
Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series The Avengers, first published in 1963. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel’s Avengers:Age of Ultron on May 1, 2015.
I’m not entirely sure why Marvel chose to sit on this information. It isn’t as though this rocks our previous understanding of the film. Though it did get us talking about it for months upon months and oh god I’m part of the problem. Anyway, thoughts, true believers? Sound off in comments. Meanwhile, I’ll be over in the corner, along with everyone else who guessed the Vision-J.A.R.V.I.S. connection, patting myself on the back.
