Spider-Man: Now Way Home - What's Next
Spider-Man: No Way Home has been crushing the box office since its release on December 17, 2021. It's arguable been the most anticipated movie of the year, and it sure did not disappoint. I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing the film 4 times in the past 2 weeks, and I am still not tired of it. Spider-Man: No Way Home is definitely my favorite Spider-Man film and it just may be my new favorite MCU film! With that being said, I've noticed a few things in the film that could potentially help set up the future of the MCU.
In order to talk about all the exiting things in this film, and what is to come, this article will contain major spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home and potential spoilers for future MCU projects. You've been warned!
SPOILERS BELOW!
SPOILERS BELOW!
SPOILERS BELOW!
Charlie Cox returns as Matt Murdock
Charlie Cox's return as Matt Murdock (aka Daredevil) was strongly rumored before No Way Home's release. True to the comics, Matt Murdock does help our pal Peter Parker with some legal trouble. What makes his appearance so exciting is the fact that fan favorite, Charlie Cox, is sure to be a part of the MCU for future projects now. With the introduction/return of Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin in the finale of Hawkeye on Disney+, Daredevil fans can plan on seeing these two go at it again soon. It's still unclear if the Netflix Daredevil series will be canon for the MCU, so we fans will have to just wait a little longer to find out.
Stolen/Missing Stark-tech teases Armor Wars
When Peter Parker's case is underway, it's revealed that some Stark Tech goes missing and other items get taken into a containment area as evidence by Damage Control. Matt Murdock even mentions to Happy Hogan that he will need to "lawyer up", since he was so close to Tony. Happy would probably be considered a suspect in the investigation of the missing tech. This issue seems to get swept under the rug once Peter Parker's case gets closed. In true MCU fashion, the missing tech "name drop" could very much be setting up Armor Wars. This soon to be Disney+ show will be lead by Don Cheadle (aka War Machine) as he defends his friends legacy after his tech falls into the wrong hands. Since this was teased in No Way Home, we can at least expect a cameo from Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) in the upcoming series.
The world knows that Nick Fury has been "off world"
Nick Fury's name drop at Peter Parker's questioning reminded the fans that Nick Fury has been off world - for at least a year. This semi confirms that after the events of Avengers: Endgame (Tony's funeral), Fury decided to take a sabbatical in space among the Skrulls. In on of Spider-Man: Far From Home's end credits scenes it's revealed that Talos and his wife were disguised as Nicky Fury and Maria Hill the entire time. Although this mention of Nick Fury doesn't quit reveal a lot, but it does tease the upcoming Disney+ series Secret Invasion based on the comic series of the same name. Expect the Skrulls to invade and mimic your favorite heroes - after all "Who do you trust?".
"There's gotta be a black Spider-Man out there somewhere"
Electro is right. There is a black Spider-Man out there somewhere, and he may be closer than he thinks. As we all know by now, due to his growing popularity in mainstream media, Miles Morales is an African American/Puerto Rican Spider-Man. He has all the powers Peter Parker possesses, with some extra cloaking and "venom strike" abilities. In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter interrogates Aaron Davis (Miles's Uncle in the comics) to get more intel on Vulture where he mentions that he has a nephew that lives in the city. We know for sure this is the Aaron Davis because in a deleted scene for the film, Aaron (played by Donald Glover) is seen talking on the phone and name drops Miles.
With the high praise for Miles's character not only in the comics but in Spider-Verse and the recent Play Station Spider-Man games, we Spidey fans can assume that Miles is making his way, slowly but surely, to live-action. With Tom Holland's version of Spider-Man confirmed to be around for a little longer, we can speculate that the MCU may be borrowing ideas for the previous popular Miles related media. Tom's Spidey will probably mentor Miles in his new hero endeavors.
The Multi-verse is very much real.
The MCU's phase 4 so far has been a lot about grief - but also a lot about the multiverse. Since the Avengers used the quantum realm to travel through time to save the world, the MCU has continued on several different paths. WandaVision teased the possibility of alternate realities, while Loki and What If...? introduced us to the multiverse itself. Clearly in No Way Home, we see just how complicated exposing the multiverse can get! But it isn't until May of this year that we may see the true consequences of the multiverse unleashed. . .
Doctor Strange 2 is gonna be MADNESS
The teaser for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness gives us very little about the film, but with the introduction of America Chavez (a superhero with the ability to open/travel through portals to other dimensions) and the return of Scarlet Witch, we can assume Doctor Strange needs these strong allies for something big. Suggesting that Strange's rogue spell from No Way Home inflicted all this madness, based on who entered our universe in Spidey's film, we fans can probably expect more exciting cameos and appearances of new characters in the MCU.
The Holy Trinity
The Spiders are all together. Although Tobey and Andrew's appearances may not directly set up any planned future project for the MCU, what it does do is promise to fans that anything is possible. We got to see all three Spider-Man actors share the screen together as Spider-Man is some kind of ambitious cross-over event that'll arguably never be outdone. This is proof that Marvel is listening to their fans. The chemistry between Tom, Tobey, and Andrew was unmatched. I was sad to see them come and go in the MCU so fast, but I respect that they did just enough to allow this movie to remain Tom Holland's film.
All in all, Spider-Man: No Way Home was a masterpiece of a comic book movie. It was complete fan service with out straying away from the story. It allowed MCU's Spidey a chance to grow, evolve, and take on that great responsibility on his own - with the little help of friends of course. It gave closure to our other friendly neighborhood pals in a way I never though possible. This story can resonate with a lot of people, and in the end we learn that "great power" doesn't have to a burden or a gift - but instead a helping hand.
