Marvel Studios may have the perfect opportunity to solve a majorMCUvillain problem in the upcomingSpider-Man 4after a huge update concerning Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. Aside from the comparatively-successfulVenomfranchise, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has delivered some of the lowest-rated live-action superhero movies of all time. Thedisappointing premiere of 2024’sKraven the Hunteris the final nail in the coffin for the faltering franchise, but there are many loose ends in the SSU that should still be addressed.
While Sony will continue to develop itsanimatedSpider-Versefranchiseand the new live-actionSpider-Noirseries, the SSU as we know it appears to be coming to an end afterKraven the Hunter.This has raised hopes that Marvel Studios may gain creative control of some of Spider-Man’s most powerful villains, allowing some iconic stories to be integrated into the MCU proper. This also presents the opportunity for Marvel Studios to solve some ofSony’s biggest pitfalls andmissteps, including one involving a veteran MCU villain.
Michael Keaton’s Vulture Moved To The SSU In Morbius
Michael Keaton Debuted As The Vulture In 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming
Adrian Toomes' Vulture was introduced to the MCU in 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming, with Michael Keaton expertly portraying the villainous father of Peter Parker’s love interest, Liz. Despite his best efforts, the MCU’s Vulture was eventually defeated by his own ego and the commitment of Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, leading to his incarceration, which is where he was seen in thepost-credits scene of 2022’sMorbius, the third movie in the SSU.While Doctor Strange’s memory-wipe spell inSpider-Man: No Way Homesent everyone back to their home universes, it also curiously sent Adrian Toomes across the multiverse.
Michael Keaton’s version of theVulture being sent into Sony’s Spider-Man Universecaused a huge wave of confusion, as this seemed to completely break the rules and parameters of Doctor Strange’s spell. In the SSU, this may have planted the seeds for the Sinister Six to come together, as Toomes seemed to partner up with Jared Leto’s Michael Morbius, but Sony never followed through with this set-up.The fate of Adrian Toomes' Vulture hasn’t been confirmed, and Sony’s recent news leaves his future hanging in the balance.
The Vulture’s Return Would Be Perfect For Spider-Man 4
The Vulture Was A Fantastic MCU Villain
Now thatThe Wrap(viaDiscussing Film)has reported that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe will be practically ending after the release ofKraven the Hunter, Marvel Studios may have the chance to gloss over some of the SSU’s biggest problems. Sincethe Vulture’s existence in the SSU was one of the franchise’s most confusing plot points, bringing him back to the MCU would easily solve this issue. The best place for Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes to be seen, or even just teased, back in the MCU would be inDestin Daniel Cretton’s upcomingSpider-Man 4.
Spider-Man 4is expected to kick off a new trilogy of solo MCU movies for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker.Since Adrian Toomes' Vulture was his first major villain in the MCU, it would be fantastic to see him return or get a mention inSpider-Man 4, creating a solid connection toSpider-Man’s MCU history, while perhaps setting up even bigger threats for the wall-crawler’s future. The Vulture is too brilliant a villain to be forgotten, and since Sony itself seems to be abandoning its Marvel movie franchise, Adrian Toomes should be folded back into the MCU’s proper.
Teasing The Vulture’s Return For The MCU Could Be Huge For Spider-Man’s Future
Spider-Man Could Face An Iconic Marvel Supervillain Team After The Vulture’s Return
The ending of 2022’sMorbiusseemed to be making an attempt at setting up a version of Marvel Comics’Sinister Six for the SSU’s future. This dream now seems to be dead in the water, butMarvel Studios may have the perfect chance to introduce the formidable supervillain team into the MCU proper, particularly if the Vulture is brought back inSpider-Man 4. A more comic-accurate Sinister Six could pose a threat to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker in the MCU, and the foundations for this iconic group could be laid in Phase 6, which is a very exciting prospect.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
Cast
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the first sequel to the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity from the public’s memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.
