As the premiere date for Marvel's hugely anticipated Spider-Man: No Way Home draws nearer, Aunt May actor Marisa Tomei kept things real while discussing her family's subdued reaction to her role.
During an interview with BackstageOL, Tomei was asked what her family thinks about her part in the massively popular Spider-Man film franchise. Her answer was definitely not what the interviewer expected and probably not what most fans would, either. "I don't think anyone gives a shit except for my nephew, who's like, six," she said. "I mean, honestly, I don't think anyone's too impressed with me."
Tomei's family may see more value in the slew of other roles she's played in her career, which spans five decades. From her Academy Award-winning performance in My Cousin Vinny to her critically acclaimed role in The Wrestler and cameos in comedies like Trainwreck, Tomei starred in dozens of films before joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2016's Captain America: Civil War. She has also loaned her talents to television shows like The Simpsons and The Handmaid's Tale and performed in plays both on and off Broadway over the years. Despite all that, her work as Aunt May in the MCU might be her most recognizable role, at least to a certain generation.
Tomei's version of Aunt May was originally introduced in Civil War, where she meets Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) as he's trying to enlist Spider-Man to his side. She also had an appearance in Avengers: Endgame bookended by her roles in the previous two Tom Holland Spider-Man films, Homecoming and Far From Home.
What Aunt May is up to in No Way Home remains to be seen, as the character barely makes an appearance in any of the trailers or footage released so far.. In 2020, however, Tomei said discussions about May's future had taken place. "[Director] Jon Watts and I always talked about her being a community organizer," she said. "Hopefully that track will expand and be part of this one, as well."
The film is expected to make a huge splash this holiday season, with some projections seeing it as potentially one of the highest-grossing films ever released. With beloved cast members returning from previous Spider-Man film universes like Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus and Jamie Foxx as Electro, it's no wonder fans are rabid to see Tom Holland's version of Spider-Man face off against them. Spider-Man: No Way Home opens in theatres Dec. 17.
Source: YouTube