Some fans were disappointed that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Spider-Man wasn’t Miles Morales, although the decision to go with Peter Parker in the setting made sense as he’s far and away the more recognizable take on the character. Ahead of the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming, the movie’s director has all but confirmed that while he’s not Spider-Man just yet, Miles is an offscreen presence within the MCU.
Mild spoilers for Spider-Man: Homcoming follow.
ComicBook.com recently got to speak with Spider-Man: Homecoming director Jon Watts ahead of the release of the film, and at one point the discussion of Donald Glover’s character appeared. Glover’s character was kept under wraps until recently, but it’s since been confirmed that he’s portraying Aaron Davis (the future Prowler and uncle to Miles Morales) after the official cast list was released.
“I mean, I always wanted Donald [Glover] to be in this movie. That was one of my first ideas, just because I knew… I remember all the excitement surrounding him being Spider-Man, you know? And I was like, ‘If he’s going to be in this movie, who could he be?’ So, we’re not saying anything specifically, but Aaron Davis having a nephew in New York City… I wouldn’t say it’s a definite hint, but I think it definitely opens that door.”
Glover originally campaigned to portray Spider-Man when it was announced that Sony were rebooting the franchise for the first time, but the part ultimately went to Andrew Garfield instead. Brian Michael Bendis, who had plans to kill off the Ultimate Marvel version of Spider-Man in a major event, looked toward Glover’s campaign – as well as the election of President Barack Obama – as inspiration for the creation of the next iteration of the character in the Ultimate Marvel continuity and came up with Miles Morales as a result. Glover would eventually voice Miles on the Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon for the third season of the show, although he would not reprise his role in the fourth season. For now, fans who want Miles to take the mantle of Spider-Man should be able to rest easy knowing that he’ll show up at some point down the road.
Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters on July 7, 2017. The film features a cast that includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Robert Downey Junior as Tony Stark (Iron Man), Zendaya Coleman as Michelle, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Tony Revolori as “Flash” Thompson, Laura Harrier as Liz Allan, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Jon Favreau as Harold “Happy” Hogan, Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes (Vulture), Bokeem Woodbine as Herman Schultz (Shocker), and Michael Chernus as Phineas Mason (Tinkerer). A sequel is planned for release on July 5, 2019.
For those who want to get their Miles Morales fix sooner, the character will star in Sony’s animated Spider-Man film, which is set for release on December 14, 2018. Its cast includes Shameik Moore as Miles Morales (Spider-Man), Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis, and Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis. Liev Schreiber is set to voice the movie’s primary villain.
Source: ComicBook.com
