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Marvel fans want to see “a proper redemption arc” for Ultron in VisionQuest, but debate whether it’s a good idea
VisionQuest has revived Ultron as a reluctant father figure to Vision and Tommy Shepherd, prompting fans to debate whether the former villain should be redeemed. The discussion reflects a wider question about whether a character can change without losing what makes him compelling.
Some viewers expect Ultron to turn against Jocasta and protect Vision or Tommy, perhaps at the cost of his own survival. Others argue he should remain a villain, suggesting instead that he could survive as a more restrained, recurring antagonist. The series releases weekly on Disney Plus.
In short
- VisionQuest has brought Ultron back in a new role.
- Fans are split over whether he should be redeemed.
- Some favour keeping him as a recurring antagonist.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A redemption arc could give Ultron’s relationship with Vision and Tommy emotional weight, showing that even a character defined by violence can change through responsibility and care. If earned through difficult choices and real consequences, that change could deepen the story without erasing his past.
The case against
Ultron’s menace and unwavering hostility are central to what makes him compelling, so redeeming him could blunt the qualities that distinguish him as a villain. Keeping him antagonistic, perhaps more controlled and recurring, could preserve that tension while still allowing his ties to Vision and Tommy to complicate his motives.
Explained simply
Ultron is an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark in the Marvel stories. He turned against humanity and became a major threat, so he is generally known as a villain rather than a trusted ally.
Vision was created using technology linked to Ultron, but developed his own identity and became a hero. Tommy Shepherd, also known as Speed, is a young superhero connected to Vision’s family in Marvel’s television stories.
A redemption arc is a story in which a character who has done harm changes and tries to make amends. The debate is whether such a change would feel believable for Ultron, and whether it would alter the qualities that make him an engaging antagonist.