Vision (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
The Vision is a fictional character portrayed by Paul Bettany in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Vision is a vibranium-based male android (or "Synthezoid") created by Ultron to serve as his body. However, the body is stolen by the Avengers and brought to sentience by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, who upload the core software of Stark's AI, J.A.R.V.I.S. (voiced by Bettany), into the body constructed by Ultron, with energy provided by Thor. Vision subsequently joins the Avengers, kills Ultron, and later develops a romantic relationship with his teammate, Wanda Maximoff. Most of Vision's powers including flight, matter phasing, and energy-based beam attacks, stem from the Mind Stone in his forehead, which also keeps him alive. Vision is killed by Thanos when he removes the Mind Stone to complete the Infinity Gauntlet in order to initiate the Blip. Years later, Vision's body is reactivated via Wanda's magic, albeit initially without his memories and with a different appearance. Additionally, Wanda recreates Vision when she magically forms a false reality in the town of Westview, New Jersey, but this version vanishes when she returns to reality.
Vision
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The Vision
Vis
Synthezoid[1]
Avengers
Midtown Manhattan, New York, United States
Vision has appeared in three films. He has a lead role in the television series WandaVision (2021), and alternate versions from within the MCU multiverse appear in the animated series What If...? (2021).
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
Following the release of WandaVision, Jen Chaney of Vulture stated, "Olsen and Bettany's characters were often treated like benchwarmers on an all-star team in the Avengers movies. Here, they really shine." The review further found that Bettany "slides easily into the role of the devoted, kinda square, goofball husband," and praised his physical comedy skills.[27] Saim Cheeda of Comic Book Resources praised Bettany's performance across the MCU, especially in WandaVision, writing, "Paul Bettany has proved in WandaVision that he is the absolute perfect choice for playing Vision, nailing many of his characteristics."[28] Tyler Pisapia of Looper inducted Bettany's portrayal of Vision through the MCU among his best performances overall, stating, "From his heroics — and ultimate death — in the Avengers franchise to his subsequent revival in WandaVision, Bettany's Vision has added a deeply soulful component to the MCU through his portrayal of a being whose synthetic structure doesn't deprive him of his essential humanity."[29] Matt Purslow of IGN wrote Bettany "effortlessly takes to the comedic skits" and that he and Olsen "provide a fantastic amount of life, wit, and emotion".[30] TVLine named Bettany "Performer of the Week" for the week of January 16, 2021.[31]