When they introduced Spider-Man into the MCU, Marvel made a promise not to simply repeat what we’d seen before on the big screen. And they sure didn’t, as Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has been a unique take on the webslinger. Not just because of the fact that he rubs shoulders with the Avengers, but also because he has such a close relationship with Iron Man. In fact, with his origin story being completely skipped over in the franchise, fans have often thought Tony Stark fills the role of Uncle Ben in Peter’s life.
It turns out this is something that Holland himself agrees with. Much like Ben, Tony has helped the MCU’s Peter learn how best to use his powers and, now that he died in Avengers: Endgame, the comparison has just got a whole lot stronger. Holland told UPROXX that Stark’s loss will hang over Peter pretty heavily in Spider-Man: Far From Home, though he’ll still find himself with a new mentor:
“I think he probably was. I think he probably was, you know? I think he was very, very much took on the mantle as his father figure, and losing him is a huge blow to Peter Parker obviously. And that’s what’s so nice about Mysterio kind of flying in is that he can fill those shoes a little bit and be Peter Parker’s mentor and his big brother at the same time.”
The actor’s tease that Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio will kind of step in for Tony is interesting. We’re all expecting Quentin Beck to be revealed as some double-crossing villain, but Holland seems to be promising that he’ll be a genuine ally and friend in Far From Home. Meanwhile, director Jon Watts has told us that Nick Fury will also serve as a mentor of sorts to the kid, though he’ll be like a “mean new stepdad” rather than a supportive father figure like Tony.
But maybe that tough love is what he’ll need when Mysterio no doubt turns to the dark side. Either way, we’ll see what’s next for Spidey in the MCU when Spider-Man: Far From Home hits on July 2nd.
