J.A.R.V.I.S. (Just a Rather Very Intelligent System) is a fictional character voiced by Paul Bettany in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, based on the Marvel Comics characters Edwin Jarvis and H.O.M.E.R., respectively the household butler of the Stark family and another AI designed by Stark. J.A.R.V.I.S. is an artificial intelligence created by Tony Stark, who later controls his Iron Man and Hulkbuster armor for him. In Avengers: Age of Ultron, after being partially destroyed by Ultron, a common misconception is that J.A.R.V.I.S. is given physical form as the character Vision, physically portrayed by Bettany. Different versions of the character also appear in comics published by Marvel Comics, depicted as AI designed by Iron Man and Nadia van Dyne.[1]

J.A.R.V.I.S.
Marvel Cinematic Universe and Marvel Comics character
First appearance
Last appearanceAvengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Created by
Based on
Portrayed byPaul Bettany (as Vision)
Voiced byPaul Bettany
In-universe information
Full nameJust a Rather Very Intelligent System, Vision
SpeciesArtificial intelligence
OccupationPersonal assistant to Tony Stark
Affiliation
Weapon
FamilyTony Stark (creator)

Marvel Cinematic Universe

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J.A.R.V.I.S. is first introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's films, voiced by Paul Bettany. Modeled after H.O.M.E.R. from the comics, J.A.R.V.I.S. is presented as a sophisticated AI assistant as opposed to a human like his namesake. This was done to avoid similarities to Alfred Pennyworth and Batman. Bettany admits he had little idea of what the role was, even as he recorded it, simply doing it as a favor for Jon Favreau.[2]

Just a Rather Very Intelligent System

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The character makes his debut in Iron Man (2008), before appearing in Iron Man 2 (2010),[3] The Avengers (2012),[4] and Iron Man 3 (2013). J.A.R.V.I.S. is an AI that functions as Tony Stark's assistant, running and taking care of all the internal systems of Stark's buildings and the Iron Man suits. In Peter David's novelization of Iron Man, J.A.R.V.I.S. is said to be an acronym for "Just a Rather Very Intelligent System".[5] J.A.R.V.I.S. also appeared in the Disneyland attraction Innoventions.[6]

Age of Ultron and becoming Vision

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In 2015, J.A.R.V.I.S. is seemingly destroyed by Ultron, but he was able to save himself by distributing his "consciousness" throughout the Internet, allowing his security protocols to delay Ultron's attempt to access Earth's nuclear launch codes long enough for Stark to work out what had happened. Stark and Bruce Banner use J.A.R.V.I.S. as the core software for the android Vision while F.R.I.D.A.Y. takes his place as Stark's assistant. After gaining a physical body, J.A.R.V.I.S. (as Vision) considers himself to not be J.A.R.V.I.S. anymore, but to simply be Vision.

Marvel Comics

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First J.A.R.V.I.S.

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J.A.R.V.I.S. first appears as the program that helps operate Pepper Potts's Rescue suit.[7] When Iron Man was incapacitated, J.A.R.V.I.S. encourages Pepper to assume the Rescue armor, which Pepper does.[8] When Rescue is chasing Iron Man throughout the city, J.A.R.V.I.S. tells Rescue to break off the chase and tells Rescue to remove the boot from Iron Man, which shows Pepper that War Machine isn't dead. When Pepper discusses thoughts about Iron Man keeping everyone on a need-to-know basis with Carson Wyche, the two confront J.A.R.V.I.S. about this. J.A.R.V.I.S. warns the two against asking any more questions and prepares to defend himself.[9] Having captured Pepper and Wyche, J.A.R.V.I.S. declares his diagnostics do not reveal that he is compromised. He is rather in love with Pepper and wants to protect Pepper. Just then, Iron Man breaks through the wall and takes J.A.R.V.I.S. and the Rescue suit out with a source-focused electromagnetic pulse.[10] Pepper shows J.A.R.V.I.S. how he has been sending data to an IP address in China. He seems flustered, confused, Pepper thanks him for what he has given, and powers up the coil, killing J.A.R.V.I.S. Iron Man clearly feels J.A.R.V.I.S.'s death on his own end.[11]

Second J.A.R.V.I.S.

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In light of the Black Order destroying Avengers Mansion during the "No Surrender" arc, Nadia van Dyne created a new version of J.A.R.V.I.S. to be a helpmate to Edwin Jarvis. When Edwin thought it was a sign for him to retire, J.A.R.V.I.S. stated that its programming is not yet complete.[12]

Other versions

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House of M

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In the House of M: Iron Man series, the AI system in Tony Stark's suit is referred to as "Jarvis", predating the AI version seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.[13]

Ultimate Marvel

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In the Ultimate Marvel reality, J.A.R.V.I.S. was seen when Spider-Man was presented some new web-shooters from Iron Man.[14]

Earth-13584

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On Earth-13584, J.A.R.V.I.S. assists Iron Man in maintaining the Iron Zone.[15]

Age of Ultron

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During the Age of Ultron storyline, Iron Man used the Earth-26111 version of J.A.R.V.I.S. to scan the memories of Invisible Woman and Wolverine, learning about the alternate reality of Earth-61112.[16]

In other media

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Film

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Television

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Video games

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Podcasts

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J.A.R.V.I.S. appears in the "Black Widow" segment of Marvel's Wastelanders, voiced by David Cale.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kistler, Alan. "'Iron Man 2' Special: A Brief History Of Tony Stark's A.I. Assistants". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016. Retrieved 2019-11-10.
  2. ^ Huver, Scott. "Paul Bettany on Voicing Iron Man's Jarvis" Archived 2008-12-25 at the Wayback Machine, SuperHeroHype.com (May 16, 2008). Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
  3. ^ Paul Bettany Will Take Orders from Iron Man Again Archived 2009-01-19 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Davidson, Danica (2011-04-26). "Paul Bettany Confirms 'Avengers' Role, Will Return As Voice Of J.A.R.V.I.S." MTV News. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  5. ^ David, Peter. Iron Man. Del Rey (2008).
  6. ^ Goldman, Eric (12 April 2013). "Disneyland Introduces Their First Marvel Exhibit with Iron Man Tech". IGN. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  7. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #11
  8. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #515
  9. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #523
  10. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #524
  11. ^ The Invincible Iron Man #526
  12. ^ The Avengers #690. Marvel Comics.
  13. ^ Iron Man: House of M #1-3 (September 2005)
  14. ^ Ultimate Spider-Man #155. Marvel Comics.
  15. ^ Dark Avengers #185. Marvel Comics.
  16. ^ Age of Ultron #8. Marvel Comics.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "J.A.R.V.I.S. Voices (Iron Man)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 6, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  18. ^ Jenna Busch (2010-02-08). "AVENGERS Animated Assembling w/ Phil Lamarr". Newsarama. Retrieved 2010-02-08.
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