Paladin Joins the MCU in Vision Quest: Todd Stashwick to Play Marvel's Mercenary Anti-Hero
Todd Stashwick joins the MCU as an obscure Marvel Comics character named Paladin. But who is Paladin, and what will non-comics fans need to know before watching Vision Quest?
Here’s the TL;DR…
Todd Stashwick, fresh off his standout role in Star Trek: Picard, will suit up as Marvel’s lesser-known mercenary Paladin in the upcoming Disney+ series Vision Quest.
Showrunner Terry Matalas (who worked with Stashwick on Picard) revealed the casting at a recent Star Trek convention, teasing Paladin as a potential assassin targeting Vision’s tech.
Paladin’s a morally gray, action-ready gun-for-hire—perfect for stirring the pot in Vision’s soul-searching storyline, which could also tease Ultron’s return.
New to the character? Think principled mercenary with enhanced abilities—worth brushing up on Vision’s MCU history to catch the deeper connections.
Marvel has a knack for pulling deep cuts from its comics vault, and Vision Quest looks like the next bold play. Over the weekend at the Star Trek Las Vegas event, Todd Stashwick was confirmed to be hopping from starships to superheroes, taking on the role of Paladin in the Disney+ series.
If you’ve never heard of him, you’re not alone—Paladin’s one of those characters who’s been lurking in Marvel lore for decades. But his blend of mercenary grit and unexpected honor could make him a compelling foil for Paul Bettany’s Vision.
Picture it: Vision—rebuilt, rethinking his identity after the events of WandaVision—facing off against a sleek, methodical operative motivated by money but unwilling to kill without cause. With Stashwick’s gritty charisma (remember his no-nonsense Captain Shaw in Picard), the MCU’s Paladin could leave a serious mark. And with Matalas reuniting with his Picard collaborator, there’s every reason to expect a mix of sci-fi introspection and action-driven storytelling.
Who Is Paladin?
Paladin first appeared in the late ’70s as a private eye turned mercenary, usually clad in a purple combat suit and loaded with non-lethal gadgets. He’s crossed paths with Marvel icons like Daredevil, often walking the razor-thin line between ally and antagonist.
His edge? Super strength, enhanced agility, and a strict personal code—he’ll fight for pay, but he won’t cross certain moral lines. In Vision Quest, rumors suggest Paladin might be after Vision’s advanced synthezoid tech, injecting some street-level tension into the MCU’s otherwise cosmic Phase Six landscape.
What Is Vision Quest?
Vision Quest picks up where WandaVision left off, following the white-hued Vision as he tries to reclaim his memories and identity.
Slated for a 2026 release as part of the MCU’s Phase Six, the eight-episode Disney+ series brings Paul Bettany back as Vision and reportedly features James Spader’s Ultron in a major role. Under Terry Matalas’ guidance, expect a mix of philosophical storytelling and big-scale action, with nods to West Coast Avengers arcs that could set up future team dynamics.
Production has wrapped—now we wait for that first trailer drop.
Todd Stashwick: From Starfleet to the MCU
Stashwick made waves as Captain Liam Shaw in Star Trek: Picard’s third season—an initially prickly officer who evolved into a fan favorite. That layered performance showed his knack for complexity, something that should serve Paladin well.
The Matalas connection is more than coincidence: their chemistry on Picard’s final season makes this casting feel organic. With Bettany’s cerebral Vision opposite Stashwick’s grounded, tactical merc, we could see some of the MCU’s most interesting one-on-one dynamics yet.
Paladin 101: The Essentials
For newcomers: Paladin’s essentially a bounty hunter with boundaries.
Abilities: Enhanced speed, strength, stamina.
Gear: Prefers stun weapons and gadgets over lethal tools.
Code: Works for hire, but will flip sides when morality demands it.
No cosmic beams or magic spells here—it’s all skill, cunning, and tech. In a universe filled with gods and gamma monsters, Paladin’s grounded approach offers a different kind of threat.
Homework for Vision Quest
Want to be fully prepped when Vision Quest drops? Hit these highlights:
WandaVision — Direct lead-in to Vision’s current arc.
Avengers: Age of Ultron — Vision’s origins and Ultron’s first defeat.
Captain America: Civil War / Avengers: Infinity War — Vision’s relationships and sacrifices.
West Coast Avengers comics — Possible storyline hints.
You don’t need to binge it all, but these touchstones will make the callbacks more satisfying.
Marvel keeps pulling unexpected characters into the spotlight, and Paladin could be exactly the kind of wildcard that makes Vision Quest stand out. With Stashwick in the role and Matalas steering the ship, there’s reason to believe this series will blend heart, philosophy, and high-stakes MCU intrigue.
News compiled and edited by Ivy Adams for Pirates & Princesses.
Sources:
Marvel Comics character profiles and histories
Disney+ MCU Phase Six announcements
Star Trek Las Vegas convention coverage
Interviews with Terry Matalas (Picard, Vision Quest)
Casting news from Variety and Deadline
Comic databases chronicling Paladin’s appearances