Last week, we reported that Oscar-nominated actorMichael Keatonwas in early talks with Sony and Marvel to play the main villain in the highly-anticipatedSpider-Man: Homecoming. No details about the character had been given, and the deal wasn’t finalized at the time of the report. Today we have a new report that talks between the actor and the studios have fallen through, and thatMichael Keatonhas parted ways withSpider-Man: Homecoming.
Deadline’s report doesn’t specify exactly whyMichael Keatondropped out of the project, but if he had stayed on, he would have joined a select group of actors to play characters from both Marvel and DC Comics. The actor portrayed the original big screen version of The Dark Knight in 1989’sBatmanand the 1992 follow-upBatman Returns, and while the villainous character he was set to play hasn’t been confirmed, there have been rumors that the villain isVulture. Stars such asBen Affleck(Batman/Daredevil),Ryan Reynolds(Green Lantern/Deadpool) andChris Evans(Captain America/The Losers) are among actors who have played both Marvel and DC characters.
The news ofMichael Keatondropping out ofSpider-Man: Homecomingwas coupled withRobert Downey Jr.coming aboard to reprise his role asIron Manin this superhero reboot.Tom Holland’s Peter Parker makes his MCU debut next month inCaptain America: Civil War, and a scene from that movie debuted at CinemaCon last week, that showed Peter Parker being greeted in his living room by Tony Stark and Aunt May (Marisa Tomei). Fans got their first look at the newSpider-Manin last month’s newCaptain America: Civil Wartrailer, where he stole Captain America’s shield.
TheSpider-Man: Homecomingcast also includesZendaya Coleman, who signed on recently to play a character named Michelle, along withLaura Harrieras an unspecified high school student, andTony Revolori, who plays Peter’s schoolyard enemy named Manuel.Jon Watts(Cop Car) is directingSpider-Man: Homecomingfrom a script byJohn Francis DaleyandJonathan M. Goldstein(Vacation). No story details have surfaced yet, but it has been rumored thatSpider-Man: Homecomingwill start a new trilogy, centering on Peter Parker’s high school years as he juggles his crime-fighting activities with his schooling.
Michael Keatonmost recently starred in the Best Picture winnerSpotlight, and he will next be seen inThe Founder, where he playsMcDonald’sfounder Ray Kroc, which just released its first trailer today. He is also set to star inAmerican Assassin, and is set to reprise his title role inBeetlejuice 2, although it isn’t known when that project will go into production. Stay tuned for more casting updates onSpider-Man: Homecoming, which is scheduled for release on August 01, 2025.
