Behind the scenes, things are coming together for everyone’s favorite webhead. After coming to an agreement with Sony, Marvel Studios wasted no time with their plans to intergrate the new Spider-Man into their cinematic universe. With his first appearance less than a year away in Captain America: Civil War, the anticipation for the next live-action incarnation of Peter Parker continues to rise.
At 19 years old, actor Tom Holland is the youngest actor ever to suit up in the red and blue tights and his casting speaks to the new direction of the character. Marvel President Kevin Feige explained earlier in the year that this iteration of the wall-crawler would be a teenager and that they were shooting for a John Hughes tone for the movie. Recently the director, Jon Watts (Cop Car), opened up to Empire Magazine (via ) and gave a little more information about the Spider-Man reboot.
“There are only so many times you can kill Uncle Ben…I love the idea of making a coming-of-age high-school movie. We’re really going to see Peter Parker in high school and get deeper into that side of it. He’s just 15 now.”
A lot of information can be inferred from Watts’ statement. Most glaringly, we won’t be getting a death of Uncle Ben scene in the reboot, however a flashback of some sort is certainly within bounds. More importantly, it can be assumed that enough time has passed that Peter has processed his uncle’s death, since the problems of high school will again take precedence in his life. This high school world will give Watts an insulated corner of the MCU to play in, with its own distinct tone.
If you think about it, there’s not a solid teenage superhero movie franchise. Marvel Studios is actually positioning the character to do what he once did in the comics. He will be entering a world full of grown cape wearing demi-gods, with a little more than his spider-abilities, youthful wit, and real-life problems. Watts confirming Parker is 15 years old also signals that we won’t be seeing a Peter Parker graduation scene for at least a few films. It also gives Sony and Marvel, the opportunity to chronicle Parker’s life by his year in school. Watts didn’t specify if Spidey is fifteen in Captain America: Civil War or in his first solo film in 2017. However it makes the most sense that the director would only be speaking on behalf of his own film.
For argument’s sake let’s assume Parker is fifteen and finishing his freshman year during the events of Civil War. It gives future filmmakers the ability to take a year in the life of Parker, while audiences will watch the literal progression of the character (and actor), with his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, much like what was done in the Harry Potter series. Perhaps by the time Parker actually does graduate, Holland will have matured enough to take over the mantle as head of the Avengers from Robert Downey Jr. We can’t wait to find out!
Captain America: Civil War opens on May 6th, 2016. The Spider-Man reboot will be released on July 27, 2017.
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