James Spader Keeps Getting Asked the Same ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Question About Ultron

Few villains have had a comeback as unlikely as Ultron’s. The murderous AI was seemingly destroyed at the end of ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘ in 2015, and for 11 years the character stayed in the MCU’s rearview mirror. Then Marvel Television surprised fans by bringing James Spader back for ‘VisionQuest,’ and the reaction has been enthusiastic.

The return came together through showrunner Terry Matalas, who reportedly thought of Spader almost instantly when he needed a strong presence for Paul Bettany’s Vision to play against. In the series, Ultron has been living inside Vision’s mindspace in a loft-like prison, where he spends his time painting and watching the world. Spader also appears in human form, complete with a bushy beard, hats and long coats that he suggested himself.

That success has created a new kind of attention for the actor. Spader says people keep asking him whether Ultron will appear in ‘Avengers: Doomsday,‘ and he has now spoken about how constant the question has become.

In an interview ahead of ‘VisionQuest,’ the 66-year-old actor explained that he has long been stopped on the street and asked if he’ll be in various films, including some he had never heard of. He said people are still doing it to this day, and that the question on this press tour is whether Ultron shows up in ‘Doomsday.’ The comment came with a laugh rather than a confirmation, and he did not reveal whether the character will appear.

Others in the room got in on the joke. Matalas quipped afterward that he wasn’t going to tell anyone, and Bettany joked that he had decided to get fired over it. One outlet took those jokes as an answer, but nothing official has been said.

The signs point to a limited chance. Ultron didn’t get his own chair during the cast announcement livestream for ‘Doomsday,’ which listed a sprawling ensemble. The film is also focused on setting up Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, which gives the story a clear antagonist.

Still, ‘VisionQuest’ is the last Marvel release before ‘Doomsday’ arrives on December 18, so it’s possible the show leads into the film in some way. Bettany is also not part of the announced cast, though he has said he is pretty sure he’ll appear in either ‘Doomsday’ or ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’ He has acknowledged that Marvel can change its plans at any time.

The ‘VisionQuest’ version of the character is a far cry from the one in ‘Age of Ultron.’ Spader has said the AI has had years to learn and grow, absorbing far more life experience than a human could, and that the character is more of himself. He has also described the dynamic between Ultron and Vision as a blend of father, therapist and psychopath.

It’s part of why audiences have embraced the show. Matalas has said the series is built around Spader and Bettany playing off each other, and he has described it as a delivery system for the two actors. The show has also reached the top of the Disney+ charts, with Ultron frequently named a highlight.

The first trailer for #VisionQuest, premiering October 14 on Disney+. https://t.co/jIcsJ2Iarl

— Rotten Tomatoes 🍅 (@RottenTomatoes) August 15, 2026

The persistence of the question says a lot about how Marvel fans think. With ‘Doomsday’ bringing together heroes from the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, every returning face feels like a possibility, and a villain with Ultron’s history is an obvious candidate. Spader’s amusement suggests he understands the impulse.

He used to be different. Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/J5PUbxvAkc https://t.co/OUutSMZneq

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 15, 2026

For now, the answer remains a mystery, and the actor isn’t telling. Fans will have to wait until the film opens in December to find out whether Ultron has a role, with ‘Secret Wars’ following in December 2027. In the meantime, ‘VisionQuest’ continues to stream weekly on Disney+, giving viewers plenty of Ultron to enjoy.

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