Sing along now: "Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does whatever a spider can. He will star in Far From Home, after he dissolved to foam. Look out! Sequel for Spider-Man!" Are you hyped yet for Spider-Man: Far From Home? The first film in the MCU to follow the much anticipated (and still untitled) Avengers 4, Far From Home is at the moment wrapped in mystery. We don't even know what state the MCU will be in by the time the movie takes place. It will be fascinating to see how Sony and Marvel decide to market a film which by its nature will involve spoilers for Avengers 4. Do they hide everything until Avengers 4's release, a mere two months before Spider-Man: Far From Home hits on July 5, 2019?
Without any advanced promotional material to go off of, most of what is known about the movie is thanks to casting announcements, set photos and Tom Holland's adorable inability to keep his mouth shut. Where information is lacking, bountiful rumors come in to feed the hype for the film. Some of the rumors sound incredibly convincing and would not be the least bit surprising to see come true. Others have already been thoroughly debunked, or at least so ridiculously unlikely that they seem virtually impossible to be accurate. To get everyone (well, everyone who isn't averse to spoilers) up to speed on what the anticipated sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming has in store, here are five confirmed facts, five possible rumors and five rumors which are almost certainly false.
Warning: Potential SPOILERS ahead!
15 FACT: PETER PARKER LIVES
You really didn't think Peter Parker was actually gone for good at the end of Infinity War, did you? The very announcement of Far From Home kind of serves as a spoiler for how Avengers 4 turns out for Peter. Maybe it would have been an interesting risk to keep him disintegrated and introduce Miles Morales or one of the other Spider-Men out there in the Spiderverse for the sequel.
That said, Tom Holland's portrayal of Peter Parker is a fan favorite. It would be a waste to only do one Spider-Man film with him. As such, it's not the least bit disappointing knowing that Holland is officially confirmed to be the star of this anticipated sequel.
14 RUMOR: MOURNING TONY STARK
One of the more controversial aspects of Spider-Man: Homecoming was the decision to make Spider-Man essentially Iron Man Jr. Even when he ultimately decides not to be an Avenger, he's still reliant on Tony Stark's tech and assistance. At the very least, Far From Home will see Spidey become more independent, and Robert Downey Jr. isn't on the cast list.
Might Tony no longer be alive? It's widely assumed that at least some of the Avengers who survived the Snap will make the ultimate sacrifice to save the Snap's victims. Iron Man, the most overexposed Avenger, is a likely candidate for a heroic sacrifice. If that's the case, expect Far From Home to deal with Peter mourning his mentor.
13 NOT HAPPENING: TONY AND MAY ROMANCE
Presuming Tony Stark passes away, it makes sense the once-speculated relationship between Tony and Aunt May won't happen. Even if by some chance Tony survives, however, the Tony and May ship has been thoroughly debunked. While it makes sense why people latched onto the potential ship based on Tony's comments about her in Civil War, it's now clear the Tony/Pepper romance is the character's romantic endgame.
In addition, it would disrupt the traditional character dynamics even more than Homecoming already altered them. Peter having a wealthy mentor is one thing, but making him the family of one of the richest men in the world is just too distant from the character's working-class down-on-his-luck roots.
12 FACT: BEGINS MINUTES AFTER AVENGERS 4
Whatever happens in Avengers 4, we know for sure it's going to directly impact Far From Home. In fact, the connection is going to be extremely direct. While doing press for Homecoming, producer Amy Pascal discussed the early development of the sequel, claiming it "will start a few minutes after Avengers 4 wraps as a story."
Of course, during the same press junket, Pascal claimed Sony's other Marvel films like Venom would take place in the "same reality" as the MCU, a statement which ultimately ended up meaningless, so perhaps things have changed. Still, even if it's not still starting literally minutes after Avengers 4, Far From Home should be heavily impacted by it.
11 RUMOR: FIRST OPENLY QUEER MCU CHARACTER
The MCU has flirted with but ultimately backed away from LGBTQ representation twice now, with Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and Ayo and Okoye in Black Panther. Kevin Feige claims finally including such representation is "in the works." Casting calls indicate Far From Home might be the movie to finally break this new ground for the MCU.
The casting calls indicate the film includes a "gender non-conforming student." Given the call doesn't specify any set gender for the actor, it seems likely this character could be a non-binary student. This would be a welcome addition to an already very inclusive ensemble.
10 NOT HAPPENING: SPIDEY-STRANGE TEAM-UP
While Iron Man's not gonna be in Far From Home, there could still be other Marvel superhero cameos in the movie. One that was heavily speculated about was Doctor Strange, given the comedic chemistry Strange and Parker had in Infinity War and Strange has a Sanctum in London.
Kevin Feige shot this rumor down unusually directly, with no wish-washiness. He flat out said "no" to the question of the crossover in an interview. He did note, however, that Tom Holland and Benedict Cumberbatch did love working together, which leaves open the possibility of Spidey appearing in Doctor Strange 2 or some other future crossover.
9 FACT: JAKE GYLLENHAAL AND MYSTERIO
We know Mysterio is the main villain in Far From Home. We also know Jake Gyllenhaal is playing a villain in Far From Home. What we don't have is official confirmation that Gyllenhaal is the actor playing Mysterio. Variety and other film news sources claim he's playing Mysterio, and leaked set photos sure make it look like that's his character.
However, in June, Kevin Feige was denying that Gyllenhaal was confirmed to play Mysterio, even after other papers reported it. There's not yet been an official announcement, which could just be secretiveness on their part. That, or there is really a different actor playing the part, and Gyllenhaal will be playing a different and surprising role.
8 RUMOR: NEW CLASSMATE ALISTAIR SMYTHE
Alistair Smythe, who eventually becomes the Spider-Slayer, has already been brought to the big screen by B.J. Novak in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The rumors about the Far From Home plot suggest a very different interpretation of the character. Rather than an Oscorp exec, rumors claim that the new version of Smythe is one of Peter Parker's classmates.
The Reddit post from which this rumor originates alleges that Smythe is a "manipulative" tech genius who tries to turn Peter's friends against him and whose late father worked for Stark Industries. Some speculate this is who Oli Hill, an unknown young actor with an unconfirmed role, will be playing.
7 NOT HAPPENING: VENOM CROSSOVER
In the build-up to Venom, much fuss was had over whether or not the movie would connect to the MCU in any tangible way. Tom Holland was added to and removed from the film's IMDb page countless times, and nobody could really keep straight if any connection was even possible.
Then the movie hit and... it turns out there's no connection whatsoever between Sony's new "cinematic universe" and the MCU. It's just as well. While Venom might be a blockbuster hit with the makings of a camp classic, it's not the sort of film the MCU would prefer to associate itself with.
6 FACT: THE VULTURE RETURNS
You could guess this was coming based on the first credits scene in Homecoming. The Vulture was one of the generally best-liked villains in the MCU, and one of the relatively few to survive beyond one movie. Sure enough, Michael Keaton is returning to play everyone's favorite economically anxious criminal in Far From Home.
Vulture's role in the plot is not yet known. Having Vulture, Mysterio and who knows who else in one movie might bring back unfortunate memories of Spider-Man 3 and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, movies that were ruined by having too many villains. Hopefully Far From Home breaks the curse of villain-loaded Spidey films.
5 RUMOR: BUILDING UP SINISTER SIX
As for why Sony is often inclined to pack its Spider-Man movies full of multiple villains, this might be the motive: building up to the Sinister Six. Sony wanted to make a Sinister Six movie before The Amazing Spider-Man 2's failure crashed its chances, and the rumor is Far From Home will build up to the iconic evil team-up.
The Sinister Six has gone through numerous rosters over the years. As for the film version, you could guarantee Vulture and Mysterio are involved. Scorpion (hinted at in Homecoming) and the rumored Spider-Slayer are possibilities, as are classic villains like Doc Ock, Hobgoblin and/or Electro. As for Kraven the Hunter, often in Sinister Six line-ups, it's complicated...
4 NOT HAPPENING: KRAVEN THE HUNTER
While Kraven the Hunter is traditionally a member of the Sinister Six, it seems like Sony has other plans for the famed Spider-Man nemesis. Early in development on Far From Home, there were rumors of Kraven potentially being one of the sequel's big bads, with Matt Damon reportedly in the running for the part.
However, Damon passed on partaking in the movie. In light of the box office success of Venom, Sony is intent on giving Kraven his own solo film, which means he's off-limits for the MCU. Richard Wenk, the writer of The Equalizer, is working on the Kraven the Hunter script.
3 FACT: VACATION IN EUROPE
It's right there in the title. Spider-Man: Far From Home will involve (what else?) Spider-Man being far from home. The one absolutely confirmed aspect of the storyline, beyond which characters are in the movie, is that it takes place on a summer vacation trip around Europe.
Most of the shoot took place in England, with many scenes shot in London, so expect that city to be the center of the action. For those worried about Far From Home missing the charm of Homecoming's school scenes, you can rest easy knowing all of Peter's classmates will be along for the trip as well.
2 RUMOR: JESSICA DREW INTRODUCED
Multiple Spider-People are in vogue. While Far From Home won't go as crazy with additional Spider-People as the animated Into the Spider-Verse movie, it's possible it will introduce another wall-crawler... though she won't have powers just yet. Early word is that the film will feature Jessica Drew before she becomes Spider-Woman.
In terms of her role in the plot, the film's version of Jessica is said to be an MI6 agent who begrudging teams up with Spider-Man to take down Mysterio. She's expected to also be working alongside Nick Fury and Maria Hill, both of whom are confirmed members of the Far From Home cast of characters.
1 NOT HAPPENING: FINAL MCU SPIDEY
This isn't a total impossibility but it also seems incredibly, incredibly unlikely. As Sony moves ahead with its own cinematic universe of Spider-Man antagonists and supporting characters, it's possible it will want Spider-Man all to itself sooner than later. Technically, the deal between Marvel and Sony goes up for renegotiations following Far From Home's release.
That said, Sony would be nuts to not allow at least one more MCU Spider-Man movie. Tom Holland contract goes for three Spider-Man films, and if his second's anywhere near as successful as his first, Sony is absolutely going to want to finish this trilogy. A Tom Holland Spider-Man film that's somehow not in the MCU would just be needlessly confusing, so expect at least one more MCU Spider-Man film.