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Marvel Revives ‘WandaVision’ Spinoff Series, Reports Seemingly Claim ‘Armor Wars’ at Risk

Marvel Studios is gearing up to dive deeper into Vision’s mind with an upcoming, untitled series led by Star Trek: Picard writer Terry Matalas. Long-awaited by fans, this project will seemingly air on Disney+ during Phase Six of the MCU and reportedly borrow key plot points from Armor Wars (TBD).

As the series begins to take shape, it marks a fresh chapter for Vision’s story following the events of WandaVision and its subsequent spinoffs.

Wanda and Vision
Credit: Marvel Studios

WandaVision, the MCU’s inaugural Disney+ series, set off a chain reaction that has expanded into other corners of the Marvel universe. It laid the foundation for major projects like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), directed by Sam Raimi, and Agatha All Along, Jac Schaeffer’s series that follows Agatha Harkness (played by Kathryn Hahn).

Agatha All Along picks up years after the events of WandaVision, with Agatha assembling a coven as she journeys down the Witches’ Road after being trapped in Westview by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen).

While neither of these are WandaVision sequels in the strictest sense, they both serve as continuations of the story that began in the nine-episode 2021 series, making them essential viewing for any MCU fan keeping track of Wanda’s impact.

Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along
Credit: Marvel Studios

This continuity extends with the upcoming Vision, a WandaVision spinoff that had been stagnant until Terry Matalas was brought in as showrunner. His involvement marks a new direction in how Marvel Studios produces its live-action Disney+ series.

According to a report from Variety, Matalas’ involvement represents “a significant shift in how the company produces television for Disney+” as it moves away from the feature film model that previously dominated Marvel’s streaming strategy. In this earlier approach, head writers were tasked with shaping shows in a film-like structure, leaving much of the leadership to directors and higher-level executives. However, with Matalas on board, Marvel is reintroducing traditional showrunners to steer the ship creatively.

One twist in the Vision series comes from its reported connection to Armor Wars, as stated by Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus. The entertainment insider claims that Vision will use plot points originally planned for Armor Wars.

Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in Marvel Studios WandaVision
Credit: Marvel Studios

An MCU project originally planned as a Disney+ series but later revamped as a feature film, Armor Wars, starring Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, AKA War Machine, has been stuck in limbo.

When asked by TV Line about the film’s status, even Cheadle admitted, “I don’t know; I’m not sure where anything is right now.” The last time audiences saw Rhodey, a shocking revelation in Secret Invasion showed that he had been replaced by a Skrull imposter, Raava. This retroactively cast a shadow over his emotional farewell to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Details about how Vision will incorporate Armor Wars remain scarce, but there is speculation that James Spader’s return as the villainous Ultron could play a significant role. Ultron, originally created by Tony Stark and pivotal in Vision’s backstory, would naturally fit within a storyline that includes both Vision and War Machine. If Armor Wars was intended to feature Ultron, it could explain why the two projects may end up interwoven–or it could be the reason Armor Wars ceases to exist.

Tony Stark as Iron Man
Credit: Marvel Studios

Vision is scheduled to begin filming in England in 2025, with a release expected in 2026. This production timeline highlights a shift in Marvel’s approach to its Disney+ offerings. No longer aiming for the grand, feature-film-like productions that characterized earlier series, Marvel now focuses on more traditionally structured television shows, complete with showrunners at the helm.

Brad Winderbaum, Marvel’s Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, recently spoke about the studio’s decision to scale back budgets for these shows, allowing for greater creative flexibility. “We are looking to make these shows for a responsible cost,” he explained, citing the Agatha All Along series as an example of this shift, where the reliance on practical effects over CGI gave the show a unique look and feel compared to earlier MCU series.

Marvel logo
Credit: Marvel Studios

This restructuring of Marvel’s TV strategy follows the overhaul of Daredevil: Born Again, where much of the original creative team was replaced, signaling a broader rethinking of how Marvel approaches its streaming content. Winderbaum has also indicated that many projects may never see the light of day, as the studio is now developing more shows than it will ultimately produce, leading to an increased likelihood of cancellations.

Although Armor Wars remains in development purgatory, Vision appears to be on solid footing, with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige seemingly committed to seeing the series through. If all goes as planned, the Vision series will complete what could be seen as a trilogy of sorts, rounding out the WandaVision storyline and bringing Vision’s journey to a new conclusion.

With its connections to Armor Wars and potentially Ultron, Vision is shaping up to be an ambitious project. Fans eager to see where Vision’s story goes next have a lot to look forward to, especially as Marvel refines its approach to streaming content.

What do you think about a potential new direction for Marvel’s Disney+ series? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Thomas Hitchen

When he’s not thinking about the Magic Kingdom, Thomas is usually reading a book, becoming desperately obsessed with fictional characters, or baking something delicious (his favorite is chocolate cake -- to bake and to eat). He's a dreamer and grew up on Mulan saving the world, Jim Hawkins soaring through the stars, and Padmé Amidala fighting a Nexu. At the Parks, he loves to ride Everest, stroll down Main Street with an overstuffed pin lanyard around his neck, and eat as many Mickey-shaped ice creams as possible. His favorite character is Han Solo (yes, he did shoot first), and his… More »

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