VisionQuest is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting upcoming MCU series–but it could also prove to be one of the most important. The Disney+ series is set to feature the return of Paul Bettany as “White Vision,” who disappeared after the events of WandaVision four years ago. As this new version of Vision seeks to understand the memories and emotions from his past life, he discovers what it means to be human and, more importantly, part of a larger family. But VisionQuest is destined to be so much more than an introspective exploration of humanity through the eyes of a robot.
Marvel fans have no shortage of theories about how VisionQuest might connect to the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. The series seems likely to set up the MCU’s Young Avengers, a team that has been in the works since the beginning of the Multiverse Saga. It will also feature the long-awaited return of James Spader’s Ultron, who was last seen in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, which could mean big things for the future of the franchise. However, VisionQuest may also shock everyone by setting up an entirely different MCU project that everyone assumes has been canceled.
VisionQuest Could Save Armor Wars From Development Hell
White Vision (Paul Bettany) appears in WandaVision Image via Marvel Studios/Everett Collection
Armor Wars has been in development limbo for years, but VisionQuest could finally kickstart the project and save it from cancellation. Originally announced as a Disney+ original miniseries, Armor Wars was later reworked as a feature film following Don Cheadle’s James “Rhodey” Rhodes/War Machine as he fights to protect the legacy of his fallen friend, Tony Stark. While other upcoming MCU projects like Blade have faced setbacks, there have been virtually no updates on Armor Wars over the last several years. Understandably, many MCU fans assume that the project has been cancelled altogether. However, the latest rumors for VisionQuest offer a glimmer of hope for the doomed movie five years after it was first announced. Some reports suggest that VisionQuest will return to an iconic new MCU location and reintroduce a villain who has long been rumored to appear in Armor Wars.
The latest rumors reveal that VisionQuest might be returning to the fictional city of Madripoor, a lawless hive of scum and villainy in Southeast Asia where the world’s worst criminals carry out their dark deeds. There, Vision may run into Sharon Carter/The Power Broker, who maintains a headquarters in the city where she stores stolen art and other illegal products. Sharon Carter hasn’t been seen since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where she was revealed as a supervillain. After being reinstated by the CIA, Carter made a call to an unknown accomplice, declaring that she would now have access to more technology and weaponry that could be sold on the black market. This was a clear setup for the events of Armor Wars, which are said to deal with stolen Stark technology that falls into the wrong hands. VisionQuest seems to be finally revisiting this storyline five years later, even though Armor Wars still remains trapped in development hell. This is the first positive update that MCU fans have received about the film in years, but there is still a long way to go before Armor Wars ever hits the big screen.
How Armor Wars Fits Into the MCU
Don Cheadle and Robert Downey Jr unmasked as War Machine and Iron Man from Iron Man 2Image via Paramount/ Courtesy Everett Collection
Armor Wars was most likely meant to come much earlier in the MCU, dealing with Don Cheadle’s War Machine as he mourns the loss of his best friend, Tony Stark. As such, the film would be directly connected to Avengers: Endgame, showing how one character deals with the events of the film in much the same way that Spider-Man: Far From Home, WandaVision, and Hawkeye did. However, Armor Wars also would have dealt with an additional twist connecting the film to Secret Invasion. During the events of the 2023 Disney+ series, Rhodey is revealed to be a Skrull imposter. Though it is never confirmed, Secret Invasion hints that the Skrull could have replaced Rhodey as early as Captain America: Civil War. In addition to focusing on the loss of Tony Stark, Armor Wars would have followed the real Rhodey after his return, as he settles back into his life and undoes the damage that his alien imposter did to his reputation over the last several years. The universally negative reception to Secret Invasion may be partially to blame for Armor Wars’ setbacks, as Marvel Studios tries to figure out how to alter the film’s story so that it isn’t as focused on the events of the unpopular series.
Armor Wars also offers an opportunity for Marvel to revisit certain characters who have long been absent from the franchise. Rhodey’s mission to preserve Tony Stark’s legacy after his technology is stolen hints at the return of several iconic characters from the Iron Man movies. Many fans theorized that Justin Hammer, Sam Rockwell’s villain from Iron Man 2, would return for the film, marking the first time the character has appeared since the 2014 one-shot “All Hail the King.” Other theories suggested the return of the Ten Rings terrorist organization, which was responsible for kidnapping Tony Stark in the first Iron Man movie. These theories are further supported by the return of Faran Tahir’s Raza in VisionQuest, yet another potential connection between the upcoming series and Armor Wars. In many ways, Armor Wars could have been the Iron Man 4 that Marvel fans never got, exploring the complicated legacy of Tony Stark and wrapping up any loose ends left from his trilogy.
Will Armor Wars Ever Get Made?
War Machine (Don Cheadle) appears in Avengers: Age of UltronImage via Marvel Studios/Everett Collection
Even with the jumpstart provided by VisionQuest, time is quickly running out for War Machine’s solo movie. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has hinted that 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars will usher in a soft reboot of the MCU, where certain characters, including Tony Stark, will be recast. If the MCU is planning to introduce a new version of Tony Stark in the next few years, Armor Wars only has until that time to get its act together. The film is heavily contingent upon Rhodey fighting to preserve the legacy of the late Tony Stark. Thus, if there’s already a new Iron Man running around the MCU, the plot of Armor Wars would make no sense. This means that Armor Wars has to come out before Secret Wars, giving it only two years before its story becomes moot. With no director, supporting cast, or release date on the docket, this doesn’t seem like a possibility for Armor Wars. On the other hand, there is always a chance that Marvel will release Armor Wars after the end of the Multiverse Saga as an out-of-sequence installment. This was the strategy behind Black Widow, which was released during Phase 4 but takes place during the events of Phase 3. However, this seems unlikely for Armor Wars, especially if Marvel markets the new saga as a fresh start for its universe. It seems safe to conclude that, if Armor Wars doesn’t come out before Secret Wars, it won’t come out at all.
While things aren’t looking good for Armor Wars, fans can expect to learn more about the project’s fate before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters next year. VisionQuest will most likely provide some hints about Armor Wars, even if the movie never comes to fruition. If the Disney+ series includes hints at a greater conspiracy involving the Power Broker and stolen Stark technology, there might be hope for Armor Wars after all. On the other hand, if VisionQuest goes out of its way to wrap up the Power Broker storyline and leave a few lingering story threads, this could be a sign that Marvel no longer intends to make Armor Wars after all.
Things are coming to a head for Armor Wars as the Multiverse Saga reaches its zenith. VisionQuest is the last glimmer of hope for the long-gestating MCU film. The Disney+ series could finally set up the events of War Machine’s solo adventure, but Marvel still only has a limited time before Armor Wars’ story no longer matters.
VisionQuest will premiere on Disney+ in 2026.
Network
Disney+
Showrunner
Terry Matalas
Directors
Christopher J. Byrne, Gandja Monteiro
Writers
Terry Matalas
James D’Arcy
J.A.R.V.I.S.
