WandaVision: Where Will White Vision Show Up Next?
Marvel Studios and Disney+ series WandaVision were complete with plenty of shocking moments but perhaps the most tragic was the fate of Vision (played by Paul Bettany). Although the conclusion of the series with a hopeful message that this White Vision will return with a new mindset. But, the question is where exactly will this character show up next within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)? Not only is this Vision the genuine article... but now twisted by a misguided government agency to carry out its original intent as a living weapon.
Vision is returned to active duty by the artificial intelligence-based government agency S.W.O.R.D. (Sentient Weapon Observation and Response Division) as a last resort in order to enter the A.I's former lover Wanda Maximoff a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen)'s fixed hex surrounding the town of Westview, New Jersey. The modus operandi of S.W.O.R.D.'s Vision remains the logical direction, but without any of the emotion.
Dark Reflection of the Past
Encountering his recent Avengers form, created through Wanda's magical abilities, the two Visions engage in both a physical battle of strength as well as a philosophical battle of wits. Following his initial destruction, at the hands of cosmic warlord Thanos the Mad Titan in Avengers Infinity War, the remnants of Vision's body were taken in by S.W.O.R.D. and kept for potential safekeeping. The S.W.O.R.D. constructed Vision acts as the dark foil to the sentient android, without any form of emotion but merely logic.
Fans quickly realize that this is indeed not the same Vision that captured the hearts of audiences back in 2015's Avengers Age of Ultron, but a model S.W.O.R.D. counterpart acting as the central antagonist of the WandaVision Series Finale, alongside ancient witch Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn). While Wanda's arc is more or less resolved by the time credits begin to roll, the state of the White Vision remains a mystery. It's through an encounter with Wanda's Vision that the new variant is rewarded with the memories and essence of his past life. Following his battle with the Avengers counterpart, the White Vision simply soars away into the sky without further violence. The extended finale then comes to a close, credits and all, without any sign of the spectral figure insight.
Comic Book Clues
The comic book interpretation of White Vision remained an active member of The West Coast Avengers hailing from California, in the late 1980s, before the character's eventual return to the classic red and green variant. Lacking emotion and only logic, Vision's newfound spectral form would create a rift between the android and its former wife Scarlet Witch, who was appropriately turned off by this new Vision's cold demeanor.
Marvel Studios has not currently announced any concrete plans for a new Avengers film or television series but they would be remiss to put the box office smash franchise to a complete halt. Given that a stable of the team's original comics roster such as War Machine (Don Cheadle), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), Moon Knight ( Oscar Isaac), and U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) have featured or will feature in a variety of film / film-related projects, it seems that the makings of a new Earth's Mightiest Heroes lineup are in the works.
While Vision may be lacking in emotion, it's yet to be seen if the character is able to truly retain the plethora of memories from Wanda's Vision and more so how the past adventures will impact him as a character. If White Vision returns with a heroic endgame in mind, the character may find himself as a mentor figure to help shepherd a new era of Avengers characters.
A handful of these characters can include the Young Avengers, consisting of a variety of teenage superheroes, including the Vision and Scarlet Witch's twin boys Tommy and Billy Maximoff a.k.a. Wiccan and Speed. Tommy and Billy were featured in WandaVision as children (played by Jett Klyne and Julian Hilliard) constructed by Scarlet Witch, but they fail to interact with White Vision before their presumed deaths at the hands of their mother Wanda's hex coming to an end.
Potential Guest Appearances
In their bid to control the superhero genre, Marvel Studios has staked claim to a variety of release dates for the next two years, consisting of a variety of feature films and Disney+ shows. Not only will the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel act as a direct follow up to WandaVision, but the massive crossover film will feature the star of WandaVision herself in Wanda Maximoff (now known by her pseudonym the Scarlet Witch).
With WandaVision informing the events of Multiverse of Madness, it's a certainty that The Vision's remaining legacy will play a crucial role in Wanda's motivations throughout the movie. Though, an appearance from White Vision himself may be off the cards entirely or saved for one of Marvel's famous end credit scenes. While Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may be simply focused on Wanda's past life with Vision, the android's future may ultimately lie on Disney+.
The upcoming Disney + miniseries Armor Wars, set for a tentative 2022 release date, will center heavily on James Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine's battle with fallen friend Tony Stark's technology falling into nefarious hands. Along with the assortment of Stark armors in danger, one of the most worthwhile Stark creations is Vision himself. While achieving complete awareness through villainous artificial intelligence Ultron and an Infinity Stone, Vision initially began as a spiritual offshoot of Stark's own former A.I. system J.A.R.V.I.S.
If Vision does play a role in the War Machine led series, it could be as a supporting player alongside the central player. Rhodes may be formidable on his own, especially with his heavy-duty armor, but having a highly intelligent and powerful android by his side would certainly tip the scales in the hero's favor. White Vision may have ascended far beyond the oversight of Stark, yet Vision will always remain a Stark creation.
White Vision can act in a supporting capacity alongside the next wave of superheroes. Heading into the future, the MCU looks to consist of a solid mix of old and new characters. MCU Alumni Thor, Hulk, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury will remain featured throughout the universe, while newcomers She-Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Shang Chi, and Ms. Marvel act as forerunners of the future.