In a move that can be expected of Tom Holland, Paul Bettany once left the entire script of Avengers: Infinity War on a plane, risking one of Marvel’s biggest secrets. Released in 2018, Infinity War became a defining moment for the MCU, bringing together heroes from across the franchise for a devastating showdown with Thanos. Its shocking ending left audiences reeling and set the stage for Avengers: Endgame, making every detail of the film a potential spoiler worth guarding.

Now, Marvel is preparing for another major crossover with Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to bring together familiar heroes and new forces when it arrives in theaters this December. Meanwhile, Bettany is returning to the franchise in VisionQuest, bringing his long-running journey as Vision into a new chapter.

With Marvel’s next era taking shape, the actor’s story about nearly losing a blockbuster script is a timely reminder of just how much secrecy these productions demand.

  Paul Bettany and Emily Hampshire graced Virgin Radio UK's The Chris Evans Breakfast Show, ahead of VisionQuest. Evans asked Hampshire about her experience with the "script police" at Marvel, which she described as nothing less than being in a “witness protection program.” 

She continued to tell how she admitted she had lost her pages because she did not realize how precious they were and had probably thrown them away. And just then, Bettany revealed an even bigger mishap: he once left the entire Infinity War script on a plane.

"I've never told anybody this, but I once left the entire script for Infinity War on a plane," he said.

He only realized it after getting into his car, but fortunately, a helpful greeter managed to retrieve it. Bettany said he tipped the person for saving him from what could have been a disastrous leak.

Bettany returns as Vision in VisionQuest, while Emily Hampshire plays E.D.I.T.H. The eight-episode Disney+ series explores Vision’s identity and premieres on October 14, 2026.

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But beyond Marvel’s tightly guarded scripts, Bettany has also learned something unexpected about playing Vision: just how much creative freedom the studio gives its actors.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Paul Bettany explained that playing Vision has taught him to be protective of the character. He described actors in major franchises as advocates for their roles, while pushing back against the idea that Marvel is simply an “infernal machine” churning out products.

"I think about being in these huge franchises, you are the advocate for your character," he said.

Bettany continued, describing how the experience has been surprisingly collaborative, with a small core team — including Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito — remaining interested in actors’ input. He called his work with Feige an “incredibly collaborative, creative experience.”

That relationship continues in VisionQuest, which brings Bettany back as a rebooted Vision searching for purpose and trying to understand his identity.

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What do you think about the near-blunder that Paul Bettany made with the script? Are you excited for VisionQuest? Let us know in the comments.