After five movies, one bad television plot and a major hack of a film studio, Spider-Man is finally back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Photo: Sony Pictures
Do we really need another Spider-Man reboot after so many superhero movies with the same old plot?
The answer is a resounding yes.
Not only will there be an all-new Spider-Man, other Marvel superheroes will be making their appearances as well. This means that Marvel fans can also expect Spider-Man to swing by the other movies in the Sony Marvel Comic Universe.
The latest franchise will feature a different plot from the previous two franchises, which starred Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire respectively. Instead of having Peter Parker discover his potential as a superhero on his own, Peter aligns himself with Tony Stark as part of The Avengers right from the start.
Peter Parker, who made his debut earlier this year in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, is reeling from his time with the Avengers. Tom Holland, the latest actor to take up the role of Spider-Man, is the ultimate high school geek that craves the action of The Avengers after being thrust back into the normal routine of everyday life.
In the face of a new threat, the Vulture, Peter Parker finds himself embracing his alter ego. Robert Downey Jr will be reprising his role as the ever-sarcastic Tony Stark or Iron Man, as he provides guidance to the adolescent Peter Parker.
A new villain at last
Move over Doctor Octopus and The Green Goblin, for there’s a new villain in town. Michael Keaton will be marking his return to the superhero realm in the cinematic debut of the Vulture, one of Spider-Man’s long-time nemesIs.
Even in the comic series, Vulture is one of the more interesting villains. Your first glimpse of Keaton as the Vulture will be one of a wrinkled, dusty and angry man.
But underneath that tough demeanour, Adrian Toomes is just a regular guy who became disillusioned with billionaires and, at the bottom of his heart, just wants to protect his family.
Interestingly, this will be Michael Keaton’s first shot at being a villain, after starring as Batman in Tim Burton’s 1989 film and 1992 sequel.
Producer Amy Pascal has also hinted that Venom and Silver Sable And Black Cat are also part of Homecoming’s world, so fans can look out for Spider-Man’s return in those feature films. For now, Vulture will take the spotlight.
The youngest actor to play Spider-Man
Obviously, it’ll be interesting to see how Tom Holland portrays Spider-Man. He’s the youngest ever to take up the role at 20, which is not that far off considering he’s still playing a high-school role. Yet if one is used to watching Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire, one might find Tom a little young.
The previous series of films starring Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield kind of flopped, and fans have already lauded Tom Holland for saving Spider-Man’s fate in Captain America: Civil War. Even Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has given his stamp of approval.
Tom, aside from his gymnastic prowess, is also a long-time Spider-Man fan even way before he scored the role. Although his love for character did manifest in some pretty awkward ways during filming — like when he couldn’t stop making web-shooting sound during takes.
“I had a nightmare on [the set of] Spider-Man.” Tom explained. “I kept going ‘psst!’ I couldn’t [make the hand motion] without going ‘psst!’ And the poor sound guy; I do ten webs every scene, and the poor sound guy’s going ‘This f*cking kid won’t stop going ‘psst psst psst!'”
His love for Spider-Man has also led Tom to pitch himself to executives as Peter Parker for the long run. “Peter Parker is a character we see [in the comic books] as a 15-year-old boy and then as a 35-year-old man, and there is much more longevity to him.” Tom shares. Maybe the Spider-Man series could take a leaf out of Harry Potter’s books, as the cast naturally progresses with the show?
We certainly hope that Tom will be able to keep his suit far longer than his predecessors – but that still remains to be seen on the deal between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures.
As usual, this film is just the first of a trilogy, so are your Spidey-senses tingling in anticipation yet?
Spider-Man: Homecoming opens in cinemas on 6 July
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