At the recent Disney Upfront presentation, it was announced that Marvel’s Visionquest will release on Disney+ before Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters. It remains unclear if the events of the show will connect to the broader structure of Marvel’s Phase Six, as many audiences have grown weary of doing “homework” before each new film.
However, framing Visionquest as the conclusion of what Marvel calls the WandaVision Trilogy may raise concern among fans. The first series, starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, helped launch the MCU on Disney+. Its first spinoff, Agatha All Along, proved deeply divisive for what some viewed as aggressive social messaging and deconstruction of the traditional family dynamics.
Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness in Marvel Studios’ WANDAVISION exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.
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Luminate’s 2024 Film and TV Report revealed that Agatha All Along was one of the least-watched Marvel series. Worse, it ranked as the third most-watched Disney+ show that year. As anticipation builds for this December’s Avengers: Doomsday, it remains to be seen whether that optimism carries over to Visionquest.
Details of the release schedule and narrative positioning are now beginning to take shape.
Release Schedule and MCU Positioning
Early indications suggest Disney will release a new episode of Visionquest weekly for eight weeks, starting October 14. This schedule means the series will conclude just before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters. It may also help extend audience engagement compared to a binge-release model. As part of the broader Marvel brand, it will effectively function as a lead-in to the feature film.
(L-R): Director Matt Shakman with Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany in Marvel Studios‘ WANDAVISION exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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The story is expected to center on Vision as he attempts to recover his memory and humanity. Paul Bettany returns as the android Vision, with James Spader reprising his role as Ultron from the 2015 Avengers film. So far, no major characters from Agatha All Along have been confirmed for the new series. However, its position as a direct follow-up leaves open the possibility that additional cameos are being kept under wraps.
Even though Visionquest is part of a trilogy, major behind-the-scenes changes may result in a noticeably different tone.
Creative Shift Behind the Series
In February, WandaVision and Agatha All Along showrunner Jac Schaeffer left Disney for a three-year overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Marvel replaced her with Terry Matalas as the VisionQuest showrunner. Matalas is credited by fans with reviving Star Trek: Picard in its third and final season. Visionquest marks his first entry into the MCU.
His oversight on Visionquest may offer hope to some viewers after Agatha All Along lost a significant portion of the Marvel audience.
Setting the Stage for Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is a pivotal moment for Disney and the MCU. With reports of a massive budget, many observers believe the emphasis is less on profit and more on revitalizing the brand. Even if Visionquest does not directly tie into Avengers: Doomsday, its placement ahead of the film carries significance. Since both fall under the same banner, some level of association is inevitable.
Robert Downey Jr. at the Avengers Doomsday cast reveal – YouTube, IGN
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Positioning the release of Visionquest directly before Avengers: Doomsday may signal Disney’s confidence in a strong audience response. A new showrunner with a reputation for course correction could be a positive sign for fans. Ultimately, the success or failure of Marvel’s Phase Six may be decided on the small screen.
Will you be watching VisionQuest before Avengers: Doomsday? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
