Episodes 5 and 6 of VisionQuest are now streaming on Disney+, and "Deadlock" features the return of a villain we haven't seen since the very first MCU movie.
As Ultron and Jocasta grow closer, Paladin - unable to accept that his contract has been terminated by his mysterious client - incapacitates Tommy and places an explosive device in his arm (Tommy asks the merc if he's "turned him into Speed," but it's a reference to the Keanu Reeves movie).
Vision and Lisa arrive to meet Paladin and Tommy in Madripoor, and things soon escalate when the Synthezoid and Paladin - real name Paul Denning - begin making threats. As the two men face off, another group of mercenaries opens fire, and they are led by a familiar face.
As previously reported, Faran Tahir returns as Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar, the ruthless leader of the 10 Rings terrorist group who targeted Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) in 2008's Iron Man. Raza appeared to meet his end at the hands of Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), but we didn't actually see him die when Stane sent his men into the tent to finish off his former ally.
So, Raza is the client... right? Nope, he's just been sent to clean up Paladin's mess and secure Vision himself. He almost succeeds, but his men are defeated when E.D.I.T.H. manages to depower his drones, and Paladin knocks Raza out after a brief scrap.
We may see the Iron Man baddie again, but it seems more likely that he was brought back for just this brief appearance.
"When VisionQuest begins, Vision, rebooted and having escaped from those who sought to weaponize him, has been in hiding. Searching for new meaning, he consults the AI personas embedded in his programming, including F.R.I.D.A.Y., E.D.I.T.H., J.A.R.V.I.S., and the infamous Ultron. His discreet existence ends when a bounty placed on his head thrusts him on the run with Thomas Shepard, a mysterious boy who may be Vision’s son, reincarnate.
As Vision evades capture, he must confront his nature, resist Ultron’s influence, and unravel the enigma that is his young companion if he’s to survive.”
VisionQuest also stars Ruaridh Mollica as Tommy Maximoff/Speed and Thomas Shepherd, Todd Stashwick as Paladin, T’Nia Miller as Jocasta, Lauren Morais as Lisa Molinari, Orla Brady as F.R.I.D.A.Y., Diane Morgan as an associate of Paladin, Polly Frame, Henry Lewis as D.U.M.-E, Jonathan Sayer as U, Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., and James D’Arcy as J.A.R.V.I.S. Faran Tahir also reprises his Iron Man role as Raza, with Cristian Lavin and Mary McDonnell appearing in undisclosed roles.
The series is directed by Christopher J. Byrne, Gandja Monteiro, Vincenzo Natali, Terry Matalas, and written by Terry Matalas, Cindy Appel, Christopher Monfette, Nicole Falsetti, and Matthew Okumura.