VisionQuest showrunner promises no AI was used on new Marvel series that's all about artificial intelligence
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is so back in 2026, and having already seen great success with Spider-Man: Brand New Day becoming the third highest-grossing film of all time, there have also been rave reviews for X-Men '97 season 2, and high hopes that Avengers: Doomsday can topple Avengers: Infinity War as the biggest movie of all time.
While all eyes are on Doomsday, let's not forget the upcoming VisionQuest.
Headed up by Star Trek: Picard's Terry Matalas, Paul Bettany is back as the fan-favorite Vision. The posh-taking android was a mainstay of the MCU from 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron until he was seemingly killed off in 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Thankfully, being a robot means you can live on in a virtual world of AI.
VisionQuest's AI storyline won't use AI
The MCU has a somewhat problematic past with AI, and not due to Tony Stark's many AI assistants or Ultron being a rogue robot that threatened to destroy the world. In 2023, Secret Invasion became more than just a critical and commercial flop that's said to have cost Disney up to $234 million. The Samuel L. Jackson-led TV series was slammed for its use of AI in its title sequence. The Fantastic Four: First Steps also appeared to use AI in one of its posters, and an art book for Brand New Day appeared to include AI concept art.
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Despite VisionQuest's AI storyline, Matalas told ScreenRant that no generative AI has been used at all. was used in the production of this series. Reassuring the outlet that AI hasn't been used in production, Matalas reiterated: "There hasn't really been a need. All the designs nod to how our current form of AI processes things... That felt like a fun way for us to comment on it.” In other words, the design behind the series was meant to evoke AI, but was completely human-made."
Given that VisionQuest was filmed when generative AI was still a bit glitchy in May 2025, viewers should look out for a few AI quirks, with ScreenRant explaining how Vision's Mindspace includes the likes of stair banisters that don't connect all the way and chairs being embedded in walls.
The show's production designer reminds us that "AI cannot create; it can only use and then reuse words told to it by humans."
What is VisionQuest about?
Rounding off a trilogy that started with 2021's WandaVision, the story of Vision and the Scarlet Witch's complicated family life continued in Agatha All Along. The 'real' Vision memorably died in Infinity War, although WandaVision introduced a villainous new version known as White Vision. A rebooted White Vision is the MVP of VisionQuest, and as he learns about Vision's life, he retreats into a mental mansion that includes physical versions of Tony Stark's former AI systems like J.A.R.V.I.S., F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H..
Making a much-hyped return to the MCU, James Spader reprises his role as Ultron. As a refresher, Ultron was responsible for giving Vision a body in Age of Ultron.
While the trailers tease that Ultron has turned over a new leaf, we expect the Avengers’ former foe will be up to his new tricks before long.
Picking up the plot threads of Vision and Wanda's missing kids, VisionQuest carries on from Agatha All Along's reveal that Joe Locke's Wiccan has a brother.
Ruaridh Mollica plays Tommy Maximoff/Speed, making him a sure recruit for a mythical Young Avengers movie or TV series.
The rumor mill has gone into overdrive about Elizabeth Olsen reprising her role as Wanda Maximoff, but after we were fooled by Agatha All Along, we won't hold our breath on that one.
With the first reactions claiming VisionQuest is a worthy follow-up to what's come before and serves as a love letter to WandaVision, there isn't long until you can find out for yourselves when the first two episodes land on October 14.