James Spader cast as villain Ultron in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

Marvel has announced that Emmy Award-winning actor James Spader has been cast as the titular villain Ultron in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

A sequel to Marvel's The Avengers, Age of Ultron pits the Ultron, a sentient robot AI who has gone rogue, against Earth's Mightiest. Director Joss Whedon is set to return along with the majority of the cast from the first film including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlet Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson. 

Spader's long line of credits have spanned both film and television and include Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Secretary, Boston Legal, and Private Practice. Some of his more recent work includes his memorable role on The Office as Michael Scott's replacement Robert California and as William N. Bilbo in Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. It'll be interesting to see his performance as the vengeful Ultron and how his likeness will be portrayed onscreen. 

Avengers: Age of Ultron is set for release on May 1, 2015.