Feburary 9, 2015: The nerd world, still reeling from the Seth Rollins photo scandal, was just settling in for what was truly the first indication that we were in the Darkest Timeline™.
And then, lo, an angel of the geek gods did descend down from on high, and he spake, saying unto the masses: “Be at peace, fellow nerds. For I bring you glad tidings of great joy. On this day, in the City of Culver, a contract was signed.”
That angel, of course, was Kevin Feige, and that contract was the one that brought the signature Marvel hero, Spider-Man, home to Marvel Studios.
In the days and weeks to come, you’re going to read article upon article that will speculate about the 2017 Spider-Man film, where he’ll first appear, and who will be cast in the lead role – but we’re going to look at things a little differently. Here’s our list of six possible side effects of Spider-Man joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Phil Coulson, Spider-Mentor
One of the most popular cartoons currently on Disney XD, Ultimate Spider-Man stars a young Peter Parker, alongside the characters Nova, White Tiger, Power Man, Iron Fist, and Phil Coulson. Coulson, if you look at his roles between his appearances in the MCU, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Ultimate Spider-Man, and the recent S.H.I.E.L.D. comic, is a hero junkie – he knows all there is to know about the best heroes in the world, and he could easily serve as a mentor to a young hero just starting out.
While I don’t envision Marvel Studios playing the Ultimate Spider-Man relationship beat for beat, I think it could serve as a great stepping off point for not only Spider-Man being tied into the MCU with everyone’s favorite S.H.I.E.L.D. director, but also allow for Coulson to reconnect back with the heroes as a whole. Hell, if Marvel is smart, they cast someone whose contract calls for him to appear in both the MCU and on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
The Thunderbolts
In interviews, James Gunn has said that aside from the Guardians of the Galaxy, the property he has the most interest in with regards to the Marvel Universe is Thunderbolts. A ragtag group of villains masquerading as heroes, the Thunderbolts, in their original incarnation, featured Spider-Man baddie The Beetle. Their second major incarnation featured the Green Goblin and Venom – so there’s a lot of Spider-Pedigree involved in a convincing T-Bolts lineup.
Even before yesterday’s announcement, a Gunn helmed (or at least scripted) Thunderbolts team was exciting, the fact that it could feature three of the more important characters to the comics lore makes me giddy with excitement. Those rumors of Baron Zemo being in Captain America 3 are suddenly making a hell of a lot more sense.
Plus, anything that gets me more GSP as Batroc the Leaper is a good thing.
Miles Morales
While Doug Belgrad from Sony Pictures mentioned Peter Parker in his quote from the press release announcing the deal, no one from Marvel or Disney has called out Peter by name. I think we all probably realize that the likelihood of Miles Morales appearing as Spider-Man in the first MCU affiliated film is slim, but down the road, this opens up incredible possibilities to be Marvel’s second feature film to feature a minority in a leading role, after Black Panther’s release.
The emotional impact from Peter Parker’s death, akin to how it went down in the Ultimate Universe, would make for an incredible film, and would be topped only by Miles donning the costume as the new Spider-Man. Miles story is one of triumph and overcoming odds, and is possibly more relevant today than Peter Parker’s origin. Plus – you’d get the ability to shape your own version of Spider-Man, free of the baggage of the previous Sony franchises.
Here Comes The Bride
It’s no secret that the cinematic universe has a heavy influence over the comic books, look no further than Nick Fury Classic being written out to be a new Watcher, and establishing Nick Fury Jr. as the Nick Fury proper of the 616 universe. For a long time, fans have clamored for the story line of One More Day to be wiped from continuity – it erased a relationship that Peter and Mary Jane had cultivated for decades, growing from teenagers into adulthood.
The story of Peter and Mary Jane has been danced around in the comics since then, but setting the films with a slightly older Peter who is married (or at least in a relationship with) Mary Jane Watson would go a long way to quell the bad feelings people have towards that story – and, chances are if it happens in the movie, that will pass over to the comic as well.
Joss Whedon
Just imagine the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly directing a Spider-Man film. Just picture that for a second. Incredible dialogue, emotional punch, and a visual appeal that just gets Spidey.
I know Joss has said that he’s probably done with big films like this after Avengers 2 wraps and releases, but if there’s anyone in the current Marvel family to take Spider-Man into the MCU, it’s Joss. Plus – can’t you just see Nathan Fillion as Normal Osborne? It’s a long shot, but I could easily see Joss coming in and helming Spider-Man as his siren song in the MCU.
Homecoming
This, of all things on this list, has the smallest percentage chance of coming to fruition. But you have to think…there’s got to be a chance at this point that this deal opens the door for Fox and Marvel to work together. Even if it’s only a 1% possibility, the door to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four coming home to be involved with the MCU – even if that means Fox retains creative control – means that all the major properties (sorry, Namor) in Marvel would be under one banner, and would be able to interact with each other.
It’s a start!
While there’s probably better odds of finding a $20 on the sidewalk today, you’ve got to be excited that this small crack, this slight opening means there’s a chance to see Wolverine, Doctor Doom, Spider-Man, and Captain America together in the same film.
This, truly, is a Marvelous time to be a fan.
Jay Malone (@JCorduroy) once lived in a cupboard under the stairs, has been to a galaxy far, far, away (Chicago), and frequently fights off bouts of boredom by rolling dice and pretending to be someone else. His dog looks like Stitch, and his 6 year old son was named after a Latverian dictator…just don’t tell his wife.
READ ALSO: 10 Things You Might Not Know About the Marvel Universe
My wife and I just finished playing through Lego Marvel Superheroes together. It’s a great game, something that made me think what the MCU could be if they could only get ahold of all of its properties. Now, with this announcement, we’re part way there. Who knows if it will ever happen. We can only hope. Look how good it is already.