"Have you ever been hung in the air by your genitals? I have. It’s great."
Paul Bettany tells us that he can’t talk too much about his role of The Vision in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron, which is hours away from blowing the roof off of Hall H at the annual Marvel panel in San Diego Comic-Con. And yet, with that quote, we already feel like he has told us too much.
The actor is discussing the wire work that he had to endure to fly like Vision (a feat shown in the concept art for Age of Ultron featured below). And he also revealed that he’s the only actor, to date, to play two different roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – something he didn’t believe was possible.
When asked if his role as J.A.R.V.I.S. in the Iron Man films was supposed to expand to bigger, better parts like The Vision, Bettany said that he didn’t think Marvel let actors play two roles.
For a long while, I discovered that… in the Marvel rule book, I wasn’t allowed to then play another character. Joss Whedon and I got along very well, though, and he looked for a way to make that happen. So I’m very happy."
The Vision, as part of the MCU, is a mystery at the moment – and Bettany isn’t prepared to share. He’s ready to take the stage in Hall H alongside his assembled Avengers cast mates – and secrets about the android hero may be revealed either at Comic-Con or down the line, as footage is shared. But we were able to break down a few of Bettany’s walls when it came to The Vision’s role in The Avengers: Age of Ultron and how he connects with the team.
When asked what his relationship with Tony Stark is in the sequel, Bettany admitted, "Vision feels paternal to a number of people."
When asked about his relationship with Scarlet Witch in the movie, he called it, "Protective." He said nothing more on that angle.
When asked about his abilities in the film, Bettany said Vision is "really good at punching, which is key." He also added:
He has the ability to change his density and that is … that’s awesome and exploited brilliantly by Joss in some cool moments when Vision is able to do something that is otherworldly. And he’s discovering all as he goes along."
Paul Bettany and The Vision should be a major component of the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward, particularly as we continue to learn his connections to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and the murderous Ultron (James Spader). We might know more after the Marvel panel in Hall H, but for now, this is a great introduction to a complicated hero.
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