12 Years Later: Reuniting with Ultron
45sThe emotional reunion and behind-the-scenes story of bringing back a beloved villain after 12 years sparks nostalgia and curiosity.
▶ Play ClipAI Summary
In this interview, the actor discusses his reunion with Paul Bettany and the return of Ultron (voiced by James Spader) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, revealing his creative vision for the project. He emphasizes themes of intergenerational trauma and the need for positive male role models in media.
[00:00]
First Meeting with Paul
The actor recalls meeting Paul Bettany for the first time while filming the end of Age of Ultron in a parking lot, not a forest, and describes their instant connection.
[00:14]
Reunion After 12 Years
Their relationship resumed naturally after 12 years, and the actor was thrilled to hear that James Spader would return as Ultron after an 11-year absence.
[00:26]
Creative Vision: Intergenerational Trauma
The actor had been discussing with Terry (likely the director) his desire for the story to focus on intergenerational trauma, and the idea of bringing back Spader solidified this direction.
[00:40]
Positive Male Energy
He wanted the show to feature positive, non-toxic male role models, which he believes is sorely needed in media today.
[00:55]
Ultron as a Role Model
The decision to bring back Ultron provided the perfect opportunity to create a role model that embodies this positive male energy.
The interview highlights the actor's enthusiasm for the project and his deliberate creative choices to address meaningful themes while providing positive representation.
💡 Key Takeaways
💡
Intergenerational Trauma as Core Theme
Reveals the actor's deliberate creative direction, adding depth to the project.
00:26
⚖️
Need for Positive Male Role Models
Highlights a cultural commentary on media representation.
00:40Full Transcript
[00:00] I remember when I first met Paul shooting that scene at the end of Age of Ultron in a parking lot. Not a forest. Okay. The relationship between the two of us was instant.
[00:14] And it just started up again 12 years later. Yeah. Right. Were you surprised to hear that Mr. Spader was coming back after 11 years? Oh, my gosh. I was thrilled.
[00:26] I've been talking a lot to Terry about what I thought it should be about. I really wanted it to be about intergenerational trauma. And then when he went, why don't we get Spader back? I was like, that's, that's it.
[00:40] And now it can be, I also wanted it to have real male energy in a positive way because I think, well, gosh, we really need that. We need for there to be shows like that with role models in that, that are non-toxic.
[00:55] And so the moment that he went, let's bring Ultron back, I was like, now it can be- Now there's a role model. Now there's a role model. Yeah.
