WandaVision finally arrives on Disney+ to much fanfare on January 15, allowing MCU fans their first peek at the long-awaited Phase 4. Of course, it may take a while for the pieces to reveal themselves until Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision’s (Paul Bettany) seemingly idyllic home life becomes a topsy-turvy journey through time and sitcom.

Bettany spoke with Screen Rant about Vision’s evolution since his MCU debut, and about what he’s made of aside from love for Wanda.

This show is amazing. It flips the MCU upside down, and I loved every single second of it. You currently hold the honor of the longest-running MCU member, going all the way back to Iron Man. How does the experience with WandaVision compare to everything you've done with Marvel Studios in the past?

Paul Bettany: I have loved this entire journey from the very first moment that Jon Favreau rang me up and said, "Hey, I mean, somebody with no personality to play a robot. Would you do it?" I have had an absolute riot, and this has been the absolute pinnacle of it.

It's just an explosion of mad creativity. It's such a big swing from Kevin Feige and Marvel, and Jac Schaeffer wrote just a beautiful, elegant, funny, sad, action-packed, explosive script. It was just wonderful to take part in.

Vision wearing his classic costume for Halloween

At times, I almost forgot I was watching the MCU, and I was just so in love with the era that this show is in. What references did you draw from to give Vision his comedic timing?

Paul Bettany: I drew from a few things, mostly The Dick Van Dyke Show. I would be lying if I didn't say there was a little bit of Hugh Laurie sneaked in there, and later some Bryan Cranston. There's a lot of my favorites.

And, of course, the whole thing is... Although Wanda and Vision have been dropped into a 1950s, black and white, idyllic American sitcom - very soon, they start hurtling through time at breakneck speed. And soon, Vision is beginning to question, "What the hell is going on in this town?" So, the MCU universe we're all familiar with and this world will collide.

What does Vision want beyond his love for Wanda?

Paul Bettany: You know what? That's Vision. I was really worried about maintaining who Vision is, but then I realized, "Actually, Vision was partly Ultron. Partly Jarvis, partly Tony Stark." He's always been becoming something, and there's always an addition. He's been growing up. We watch him [be] born, for God's sake. And then he's sort of naive but omnipotent and, as the films go by, become more and more human. Because that's the sort of center of his interest: humanity. The irony is he becomes sort of uber-human.

I realized, actually, this can take a bit of Dick Van Dyke thrown in, a little bit of Hugh Laurie, a little bit of Bryan Cranston. Because at his core, what Vision is is just decent and kind and really in love with Wanda.

Next: Watch the WandaVision Trailer

WandaVision starts streaming on Disney+ on January 15, 2020.