Marvel’s Runaways season 3: Ultron connection established

In the season 3 finale of Marvel’s Runaways, a character with direct ties to Ultron was mentioned on two separate occasions. Does this mean the egomaniacal android survived his encounter with the Avengers?

Unless you’re a die-hard Marvel fan, the references to Victor Mancha on Marvel’s Runaways probably didn’t seem all that important. Victor was mentioned in the season three finale when Chase Stein (Gregg Sulkin) of the future pointed to a deep scar across his neck, then again in a message from Alex Wilder (Rhenzy Feliz). His message reading “Hide Mancha”.

Victor Mancha is a very important character to pay attention to because of the deep-rooted connections he shares with the villainous Ultron. And the possibilities for them to play a role in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe make this Easter Egg all the more interesting.

In the comics, Victor is born after Marianella Mancha makes a bargain with Ultron. She agrees to construct a new body for the android in exchange for a son of her own. Ultron then uses Marianella’s DNA to create a cyborg-hybrid indistinguishable from a biological human, Victor.

The child goes about a normal life believing the false memories implanted in his head by Ultron until he comes into contact with an enhanced individual. At that point, Victor’s electromagnetic abilities manifest themselves and his programming kicks in.

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While Victor didn’t make an actual appearance in season 3 of Marvel’s Runaways, his existence implies that some version of Ultron survived Avengers: Age of Ultron and later had a son. The heroes believed they destroyed every last remnant of Stark’s diabolical creation, but it appears as if they were wrong.

Assuming Victor is Ultron’s offspring like he is in the comics, then that would mean the MCU has left the door open for it to be resurrected. There have been no hints of the egomaniacal android returning, but after this latest tease, we’re not so sure.

If our hunch is correct, we could see Ultron return in an upcoming movie. Only one, in particular, stands out, and that’s Ant-Man 3. The plot remains unknown, but having an android confront Team Pym sounds plausible.

Do you think Ultron is returning to the MCU? Let us know in the comments.

Marvel’s Runaways Season 3 is currently streaming on Hulu.