Exciting things Paul Bettany has revealed about Captain America: Civil War

Marvel recruit Paul Bettany has been spilling the beans to Collider about superhero The Vision's role in Captain America: Civil War. Here's what he said – and why you should be primed for Marvel's 2016 epic...

On why the movie will blow people's minds...

Thought this year's Avengers: Age of Ultron was stuffed with more superheroes than you could shake Thor's hammer at? You ain't seen nothin' yet. With Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) just three of the awesome faces returning for Civil War, Bettany isn't just promising something big. He says it will be colossal.

"It’s going to be a lot of fun," he raves. "I think it’s really interesting, the way that a huge, epic superhero extravaganza is discussing a really interesting question, which is about people unilaterally going into other people’s countries and their intervention there. It’s actually an interesting thing to talk about in a massive forum like that."

On how Vision will develop as a character...

You no doubt remember how Vision was born in Ultron (it involved Tony Stark's computer programme Jarvis being uploaded into a synthetic body, in case you've forgotten). His allegiances initially appeared cloudy but he nevertheless rallied behind the Avengers in their final battle against the evil A.I. Nevertheless, Bettany says he character can't be pigeonholed as good or evil, human or robot.

"What I love about my character is that there are so many places for him to go," he explains. "I think he’s very interested in what it means to be human and what love is. The only way one can guarantee one’s loyalty is love. Loyalty is beyond logic, really. Logic doesn’t really provide for loyalty. If your logic changes suddenly and things not make sense, you can alter your allegiance, but love stops you from being able to do that."

On working with the Russo brothers...

In 2014, brotherly duo Joe and Anthony transformed Captain America: The Winter Soldier into one of Marvel's most popular and critically acclaimed hits. So it's surely a good thing that they're back for Civil War with their signature blend of character drama, gripping action and intriguing themes. Bettany has been comparing them to Joss Whedon, who of course helmed Age of Ultron.

"They both have a really different approach," he says. :I loved working with all three of them. The really great thing with a cast that big is that you have two directors. You can always get one of them to have a chat with about what’s coming up next, and that’s great. I’m really excited to see what they do with what we shot."

On the growth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe...

As the MCU becomes ever more expansive and sucks in yet more characters (Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther will both feature in Civil War), there is perhaps a risk of the human factor being lost. Not so, believes Bettany. Quite the opposite in fact.

"I think fans feel that they’re in safe hands," the actor asserts, "and the reason they feel like they’re in safe hands is because the films are being made by fans and they remember what it is about these stories that connected with them, in the first place. That’s why they have heart."