After the releases of Sony's "Spider-Man" trilogy and reboot films, Sony and Marvel made a deal to integrate Peter Parker/Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, allowing other characters to appear in the standalone film co-produced by Sony and Marvel. After the character's debut in "Captain America: Civil War" as part of Team Iron Man, "Spider-Man: Homecoming," directed by Jon Watts and co-produced by Amy Pascal of Sony and Kevin Fiege of Marvel, will star Tom Holland as the titular character, reprising the role from "Captain America: Civil War." Unlike other films based on the iconic character, this will be the first "Spider-Man" film not to begin with an original story and will take place sometime after the events of "Captain America: Civil War."
Tom Holland, without a doubt, owned the role in his first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The response he received in "Captain America: Civil War" was very positive. In particular, I loved the energy he brought to the role. His Peter Parker stays true to the comic books, being of high school age, fun-but-nervous and rather uplifting. From the looks of it, Marvel is taking the character to places we've never seen before. Joining Tom Holland in the standalone film will be Marisa Tomei, reprising her role as Aunt May from "Captain America: Civil War," Laura Harrier ("One Life to Live") in a significant role, Zendaya Coleman ("K.C. Undercover") as Michelle, Donald Glover ("Magic Mike XXL") in an unspecified role, Michael Keaton as the unspecified villain, Tony Revolori ("The Grand Budapest Hotel") as Peter Parker's high school antagonist Manuel, Michael Barbieri ("Dark Tower"), Kenneth Choi ("Captain America: The First Avenger") and the man that started it all, Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man").
Confirmed in April 2016, Robert Downey, Jr. signed on to reprise the iconic role of Tony Stark/Iron Man for "Spider-Man: Homecoming." News on Downey's involvement in the standalone film is not surprising. The chemistry he and Holland shared in "Captain America: Civil War" were some of the best parts of the film and it'll be really great to see their bond continue on in the solo outing. When news broke of Downey's involvement, the Russo Brothers, directors of "Captain America: Civil War" spoke with IGN about Tony Stark's mentor relationship to a young Peter Parker.
“I think Downey is officially signed on now to 'Spider-Man: Homecoming,' and I think that’s what so fun about it. That’s what’s different in terms of this interpretation of Spider-Man. Two things: one, is that we cast an actor who is very close in age to a high schooler. Tom is really the first young actor to portray the part, and he has an incredible vulnerability and a certain confidence married together that create this very youthful and exciting character. Two, the other thing that’s compelling is he’s now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he can interact with the characters in that universe. I think that this mentor relationship that Tony has developed with Peter Parker is probably one of the most interesting things the universe has moving forward.” - Russo Brothers
As Tony Stark continues to mentor Peter Parker in the solo outing, I think it's safe to say we can expect to see some minor upgrades to the Spider-Man suit provided by Stark himself. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" begins filming this summer and will swing it's way into theaters on July 7, 2017.
