Happy Hogan actor Jon Favreau and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed the character almost didn’t appear in the Spider-Man films.
There are few universally loved characters as Happy Hogan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. First debuted in 2008’s Iron Man as Tony Stark’s bodyguard, the character quickly got promoted to a bumbling supporting character who always had something to say. Played by Iron Man director Jon Favreau, Hogan emerged as an MCU staple, appearing in countless films, including the Spider-Man trilogy.
During a live stream interview on Tiktok during the Spider-Man: No Way Home premiere, Jon Favreau noted how proud he was to be a part of the franchise.
“Since like 2006… it’s been a wonderful collaboration and friendship. It’s so great to be part of the Spider-Man trilogy now, as well as the Avengers movies.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige chimed in, praising Favreau for setting the foundation for the MCU with Iron Man.
“I’ve said this many times, the MCU would not be what it is without Mr. Favreau at all. Obviously Iron Man, obviously everything there, but staying the heart and soul of Happy Hogan is what’s really amazing.”
As great of a character Happy Hogan is, it turns out that the character almost died before he became a key part of the Spider-Man franchise. In the Iron Man threequel, Happy Hogan was set to die at the hands of an Extremis-powered explosion. Kevin Feige revealed that Favreau left a note on the script that forever changed the character’s trajectory, as well as the supporting cast of the Spider-Man films.
“There was a little difference in the script than the final movie, which was that Happy died. Jon had a note — that is one of the most important notes he gave us at Marvel — which was, ‘What if Happy was severely injured but did not die?'”
The Happy Hogan actor then validated the comments, revealing how the change allowed him to be a part of Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man trilogy.
“He’s not lying! It’s true, it’s true. They accommodated it, and I’m so happy I’ve been a part of this and being able to be there with Tom Holland since the beginning. He’s such a pleasure to work with, and [Spider-Man director] Jon Watts, who is incredibly talented, it’s just fun to continue this relationship [with Marvel Studios]. It is a big part of my life, and these people are friends and also people I work with.”
Happy Hogan’s most recent appearance was in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Here is the synopsis:
“For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero’s identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.”
Directed by Jon Watts from a script written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, No Way Home stars Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Martin Starr, J.B. Smoove, Marisa Tomei, Jon Favreau, Benedict Wong, Benedict Cumberbatch, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, and Jamie Foxx, with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is now playing in theaters. Stay tuned for all the future of Tom Holland and Zendaya in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: TikTok (via ComicBook.com)
