James Spader is officially set to join Robert Downey Jr. as the second confirmed cast member for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. He will play the villain Ultron in what will be the sequel to The Avengers.
Marvel announced Spader’s involvement this morning as an exclusive to beat out web scoopers whom have been prodding agents and others involved in the film’s production for leaked information. Specifics regarding his contract i.e. will be appear in more than one film have not been divulged.
In the Marvel Comics, Ultron is an artificial intelligence created by Hank Pym, the man who becomes Ant-Man, that goes rogue and becomes a serious threat to Earth. Marvel boss Kevin Feige has already gone on record saying this origin story will differ from the comics, with the prevailing theory at the moment having Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creating Ultron after the events of Iron Man 3.
Marvel’s press release does not state whether Spader will only be providing his voice, mo-cap performance, or will appear in his regular human form. Writer/director Joss Whedon and Marvel could go a number of ways with the character and it’s simply too early to tell right now.
Avengers: Age of Ultron will begin shooting next year and arrive in theaters on May 1, 2015.
Source: Marvel
