Paul Bettany knew Ruaridh Mollica belonged in VisionQuest almost immediately.
The actors portray Vision and the mysterious Thomas Shepard in the Disney+ series, which concludes the Marvel trilogy that began with WandaVision and continued with Agatha All Along.
“I knew that he was perfect the moment he walked into the screen test,” Bettany told PEOPLE at the 2026 New York Comic Con.
Mollica’s enthusiasm and curiosity helped the pair establish the father-son dynamic the story required.
“He’s just a young man who you want things to go well for immediately,” Bettany said. “It was his first big thing, and he was so inquisitive, and excited to be there and asking questions the whole time.”
Bettany added that it was “very easy” to settle into the appropriate relationship with his new costar.
Mollica agreed that their connection developed quickly. “It was very instantaneous for me and Paul. We instantly fell into this beautiful father and son dynamic of annoying each other,” he said. The costar described their off-camera relationship as a playful version of a father-and-son dynamic where they enjoy irritating each other.
“He’s a veteran of the MCU, and I’m just stepping in for the first time,” Mollica said. “So to have him by my side, I was always asking questions.”
Bettany has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since voicing J.A.R.V.I.S. in 2008’s Iron Man. He eventually moved into the physical role of Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron and reprised the character across several movies and WandaVision.
In VisionQuest, the rebooted Vision is forced out of hiding after a bounty is placed on his head. He goes on the run with Thomas, a young man who may be his son’s reincarnation.
The series also marks Mollica’s entry into the MCU and brings James Spader back as Ultron.
New episodes of VisionQuest premiere Tuesday nights on Disney+ through Nov. 10.
