Marvel Studios has been pulling out the stops to send the Multiverse Saga out in explosive fashion. We have the double act of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars set to do that, but the super-sized duo won't be the only ones entertaining audiences. Among the major Marvel Cinematic Universe projects we still have on the horizon are Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Vision Quest, Wonder Man, Daredevil: Born Again season 2, and animated offerings such as Marvel Zombies, and the second seasons of X-Men '97 and Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
That's a stacked line-up for sure, and it's hoped that it will both reinvigorate interest in the franchise's current era while also encouraging excitement for its next chapter after the credits roll on Avengers: Secret Wars. And it's no doubt going to feature a ton of surprises - from returning cast members from both the MCU and the previous Marvel Entertainment movies, to some unanticipated plot developments that could change the MCU forever.
That being said, there is one major surprise that audiences weren't expecting... and it comes just before the Multiverse Saga's grand finale commences.
Marvel recasts F.R.I.D.A.Y. for character's return in Vision Quest
Vision Quest may not be the most talked-about of the upcoming Marvel Studios titles, but it holds all the promise of being one of the most exciting. The third chapter in the Multiverse Saga's WandaVision trilogy, it carries on the story set forth by the MCU's original Disney Plus show and spinoff Agatha All Along, following Paul Bettany's White Vision as he attempts to figure out his place in the world. However, it will also feature an unexpected recast.
During a panel at Star Trek Las Vegas, Vision Quest showrunner Terry Matlas revealed that Orla Brady would be playing F.R.I.D.A.Y., the iconic AI who aided Tony Stark in a multitude of missions throughout his last few years as Iron Man. Matlas previously worked with Brady on Star Trek: Picard, in which she portrayed the role of Laris, but the announcement came as a bit of a surprise to MCU fans, as F.R.I.D.A.Y. had previously been portrayed by Kerry Condon. It was particularly surprising as Condon was expected to reprise the role in the upcoming series.
Condon first voiced F.R.I.D.A.Y. in Avengers: Age of Ultron and has since reprised the role in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Reports had claimed that she would return in Vision Quest, appearing as a human version of the character for the first time. But now, it seems as if this won't be the case and that Brady will take over the role.
The WandaVision sequel will feature a number of recognizable faces returning from previous MCU outings, as Vision will reportedly interact with human versions of the various AI characters that have appeared throughout the franchise's two-decade history. This was seemingly confirmed when it was revealed that James Spader would appear as Ultron - the villainous AI robot that was threatening the world at the same time that Vision was created. Meanwhile, James D'Arcy, who brought Mr. Jarvis to life in Agent Carter and Avengers: Endgame is also expected to reprise his role in the Disney Plus show.
Emily Hampshire is a new addition to the MCU as she will play E.D.I.T.H., the AI that aided Peter Parker through Tony Stark's glasses in Spider-Man: Far From Home. This is also a recast, as E.D.I.T.H. was voiced in that movie by Dawn Michelle King, who isn't an on-screen performer. Taking that into account, this was an understandable recast, especially if Vision Quest does plan on featuring the human versions of each AI. Condon's replacement, on the other hand, is quite the surprise, especially given that she had been rumored to appear in the upcoming project.
That being said, we're extremely excited for Orla Brady's debut in the MCU as the character. It will also just be awesome to catch up with F.R.I.D.A.Y. for the first time in over six years.
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