Speed doesnt need his own MCU TV series

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Speed doesnt need his own MCU TV series

Key Takeaways

  • Speed, aka Tommy Shepherd, could potentially get his own Disney+ series following the introduction of Wiccan in Agatha All Along.
  • Vision Quest, a potential WandaVision sequel, may also focus on the character of Speed and introduce Ultron back into the MCU.
  • The MCU should focus on quality over quantity to generate hype for upcoming projects like Vision Quest and potential Young Avengers storylines.

As a long-time Marvel enthusiast who has been following the MCU’s twists and turns since its inception, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement about the upcoming projects that are shaping up to be part of the Marvel landscape. The recent developments, such as the confirmation of Billy’s reunion with his brother and rumors surrounding Sacha Baron Cohen’s role in the upcoming “Ironheart” series, have certainly added fuel to the fire.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is about to enter a new era as Phase 5 concludes in 2025. Excited fans are eagerly anticipating what the future holds. The lineup for Phase 6 of the MCU is already impressive, and it’s likely that new groups are being formed behind the scenes. While it appears that the Young Avengers will eventually join teams like the Thunderbolts, we don’t know yet whether they’ll have their own standalone projects or be integrated into existing ones.

Moving beyond The Marvels’ post-credit scene hinting at the Young Avengers featuring Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld), Jac Schaeffer’s Agatha All Along introduced a new significant character, Joe Locke as Billy Kaplan/Maximoff, also known as Wiccan. Now that the MCU has Billy, one-half of the Maximoff brothers, grown up and prepared for action, there’s speculation about the other half – Speed, played by Tommy Shepherd/Maximoff. However, it doesn’t automatically mean that Tommy needs a Disney+ series solely dedicated to him.

Who is Speed in the MCU?

Speed doesnt need his own MCU TV series

The tale of the Maximoff brothers, specifically Tommy and Billy, is quite complex, having first appeared in issue #12 of “The Vision and the Scarlet Witch” from 1986. Initially, it was discovered that they were the offspring created by Wanda Maximoff’s ability to manipulate reality, and surprisingly, they were fragments of the malevolent Mephisto’s soul. However, Mephisto later reclaimed the twins, but in a subsequent period, they returned as Billy Kaplan and Tommy Shepherd.

In 2006, Tommy Shepherd, also known as Speed, joined the Young Avengers in issue #10. He possesses extraordinary agility and quick reflexes, much like his uncle Quicksilver. In the comics, Tommy’s character is named Tommy Maximoff. He made his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during ‘WandaVision’, with Jett Klyne portraying him in the latter part of the series. The finale of ‘WandaVision’ paved the way for Tommy and Billy to reappear in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.

In the Earth-616 timeline, Tommy Maximoff appears to be missing due to his soul being apparently obliterated by Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) when she dismantled the Hex at the end of WandaVision. However, it was confirmed in Multiverse of Madness that there are other versions of him existing. In a more straightforward manner as shown in Agatha All Along, it was disclosed that Billy’s soul got moved into the ailing body of William Kaplan at the instant the Hex vanished.

Just as Agatha All Along redefined Billy’s past by incorporating aspects of his William Kaplan character from Marvel Comics, fans anticipate a similar narrative twist for Tommy Shepherd/Maximoff. Episode 6 hinted that Billy’s purpose on the Witches’ Road is to reconnect with his brother, increasing the likelihood of a cameo before the series finale. Similarly, Agatha All Along introduced the MCU’s first reference to Mephisto, and since rumors suggest Sacha Baron Cohen will portray him in Ironheart, this significant figure in Tommy’s potential comeback is now involved.

Vision Quest is the perfect place for Speed

Speed doesnt need his own MCU TV series

According to DanielRPK, a well-known Marvel leaker, it is suggested that Speed could soon have his own Disney+ series, similar to Agatha All Along but with Terry Matalas’ Vision Quest also in development. This implies an impressive three solo series before the rumored comeback of Olsen’s Scarlet Witch. Vision Quest is being positioned as a sequel to WandaVision, much like Agatha All Along, and it will reportedly revolve around Paul Bettany’s White Vision, with James Spader reprising his role as the antagonist Ultron from Avengers: Age of Ultron.

In many ways, “Agatha All Along” echoes “The Wizard of Oz,” and if Billy doesn’t achieve everything he desires at the end of the Witches’ Road, it would align with the original story. Introducing Tommy could serve as an intriguing cliffhanger to lead into “Vision Quest.” This twist could make Tommy and his reunion with his robotic father a significant subplot, setting the stage for the boys to find their missing father before Scarlet Witch’s anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Similarly, just as Billy has been in Agatha’s shadow during her solo series, it seems fitting that Tommy might take a backseat to his robotic father in “Vision Quest.

Lately, it’s been criticized that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is focusing more on quantity than quality, a point that Kevin Feige, the MCU’s leader, has acknowledged. For instance, shows like Secret Invasion received less-than-stellar reviews, had a high production cost of $200 million, and set a new low for Rotten Tomatoes ratings among Marvel productions. Critics have also deemed Echo as an unnecessary precursor to Daredevil: Born Again, and there’s not much excitement surrounding Ironheart. The planned Armor Wars starring Don Cheadle was reshaped into a film, but news about it has been scarce. Even though Vision Quest is only scheduled for 2026 tentatively, there’s not much anticipation surrounding its release.

One effective method to build excitement could involve focusing on “Vision Quest” as a narrative centered around Vis and his children, prior to Wanda’s anticipated resurrection. Viewers who are eager for content might find prolonged setup tiresome, especially with the Young Avengers hints seeming distant from becoming a full-fledged movie or Disney+ series for these upcoming heroes. A six-episode miniseries delving into Tommy Shepherd’s power acquisition could potentially undermine the positive impact that “Agatha All Along” had in reviving the charm of “WandaVision.” If “Agatha All Along” successfully unfolds Billy’s entire backstory within 50 minutes, there seems little reason to bring Ralph Bohner (Evan Peters) back for a complete speedster series.

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2024-10-19 00:34