Murphy's Multiverse

Category: Features

  • DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Simon Baz?

    DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Simon Baz?

    The Green Lantern Corps is one of many emotional spectrum corps that have protected the galaxy since they were formed over three billion years ago by the Guardians of the Universe. The Corp has known no prejudice, welcoming a variety of species and races, choosing only those with the greatest amount of willpower to fight and protect the universe from those who seek to spread fear, anger, and greed. The most notable of lanterns have become staples in the DC Universe and will return to live-action in HBO Max’s Green Lantern series, one that will span decades and focus on some of the most iconic corp members.

    Features Character Close-Up - The Brightest Day

    Simon Baz first appeared in The New 52: FCBD Special Edition #1 in June of 2012, created by Geoff Johns and Greg Mahnke. Baz was ten when the events of 9/11 happened and, as a Lebanese-American, faced many racial prejudices throughout his early life, going as far as having to defend his sister from bullies multiple times. Simon eventually became a mechanic after gaining a degree in engineering. When the economy declined Baz lost his job, leaving him to rely on street racing and stealing cars and scrapping them for parts to sell for money. After a high speed chase, Simon was apprehended by officers who assumed him to be a terrorist and had him sent to Guantanamo Bay for further questioning. When he pleaded with them to let him go, assuring them he wasn’t a terrorist, a ring burst into the questioning room choosing Simon as the next Green Lantern of Sector 2814.

     

    One major difference between Simon and the other Lanterns is that he insists on carrying a gun with him despite wielding one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy. Baz believes that if he’s ever caught in a hard situation and unable to use the ring, that the gun would be his last line of defense.

    Simon Baz is set to make his live action debut in the HBO Max Green Lantern series. A release date has yet to be set and no casting has been made at this time.

  • DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Guy Gardner?

    DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Guy Gardner?

    The Green Lantern Corps is one of many emotional spectrum corps that have protected the galaxy since they were formed over three billion years ago by the Guardians of the Universe. The Corp has known no prejudice, welcoming a variety of species and races, choosing only those with the greatest amount of willpower to fight and protect the universe from those who seek to spread fear, anger, and greed. The most notable of lanterns have become staples in the DC Universe and will return to live-action in HBO Max’s Green Lantern series, one that will span decades and focus on some of the most iconic corp members.

    Guy Gardner: Why the Worst Green Lantern is Really the Best Green Lantern

    First appearing in Green Lantern Vol 2 #59 in March of 1968, and created by Gil Kane and John Broome, Gardner was one of the first lanterns to be chosen in Sector 2814, after John Stewart. Gardner was chosen to join the corps based on the sheer amount of willpower he has, even if that willpower is shrouded behind him just being a straight-up ass. Never one to back down from a fight, Gardner is one of the most formidable and strongest warriors in the Green Lantern Corps. Guy’s origin was reinvented in the 2011 New 52 reboot where he was reimagined as an ex-cop of the Baltimore police department, earning his Green Lantern Ring after rushing to assist his brother who was pinned down in a shoot-out with a street gang. Gardner would’ve become a lantern sooner if he’d been closer to the crash site of Abin Sur, but the ring had found Hal first because he was closer. It was later revealed that Booster Gold had convinced Guy to visit his dying father in order to ensure that Jordan gained the lantern ring first.

    Guy Gardner has already made his live-action debut, having previously been played by Matthew Settle in a proposed pilot for a Justice League of America show. There is currently no release date for the HBO Max series and will be played by Finn Wittrock.

  • ‘Spider-Man 3’ Should Introduce Inter-Dimensional Hunter Morlun

    ‘Spider-Man 3’ Should Introduce Inter-Dimensional Hunter Morlun

    Spider-Man 3 is shaping up to be quite a unique entry in the ever-growing Spider-Man franchise. Recent rumors are starting to pile on that this will end up the opening to the greater multiverse. Doctor Strange was confirmed to appear in the film. Now, some rumors are also pointing to some other Spider-Men getting added to the film. This storyline could be our first live-action adaptation of the Spider-Verse if they dive deep into the larger multiverse. Still, it opens up an important question about who the main villain would be that ties it all together. Kraven has been on everyone’s list, but with the multiversal aspect of the story, there is another hunter that may take center-stage. I believe that Earth-001’s Morlun might become the main focus of the story.

    The 20 greatest (and 10 worst) Spider-Man villains of all time - Page 16

    Let’s start with a quick recap on who Morlun is. He was introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #30. He is from an alternative Earth and is part of a family known as the Inheritors. They hunt down totems of heroes that exist throughout multiple universes. They have an obsession with hunting down Spider-Totemic avatars. These consist of the many incarnations of Spider-Man across the multiverse. At one point, he even tried to take on Black Panther as he hunted down Panther totems. The reason for his hunt is to absorb the life of the totems, which give him superhuman abilities. With the help of Master Weaver, they can transport to different dimensions to prolong their lives for eternity. As such, he is described as a vampiric cosmic entity, especially after the Inheritors were the main villains in Spider-Verse.

    Why do I believe Morlun will be the focus of Spider-Man 3? Well, Spidey is on the run from the government. His identity is out there, so he has no place to remain safe. He will have to outrun the police and maybe even the government. His home turf of New York City isn’t as safe as it uses to be. All of a sudden, Wanda’s actions in WandaVision have broken the barriers between the multiverse. Suddenly, Peter is fighting enemies he has never seen before but seems to recognize him. Among them was the recently confirmed Elektro that has some history with him. Suddenly, ta new menace shows his face, who seems to be the one guiding these villains to Peter’s dimension.

    The mastermind turns out to be no one else but Morlun. The interdimensional hunter is after the various Spider tokens. He was previously after two distinct versions of Spider-Man that seemed to have escaped into this dimension. Holland‘s incarnation ends up getting cornered by the various villains. Morlun uses this chance to suck out his life. Yet, he gets interrupted by other Spider-Man. in a perfect world, this could mean the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Just for fun, why not also bring in Jake Johnson to reprise his role from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Together they fight Morlun and defeat him. Doctor Strange appears to help them to make sure they can return home safely, but in the process, Holland‘s Spidey ends up falling into a different dimension before. Now, he is trapped in an unknown world. He will do his best to find a way back home while facing new challenges. Little does he know, Morlun has resurrected and is ready to hunt them down once more.

  • DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Alan Scott?

    DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Alan Scott?

    The Green Lantern Corps is one of many emotional spectrum corps that have protected the galaxy since they were formed over three billion years ago by the Guardians of the Universe. The Corp has known no prejudice, welcoming a variety of species and races, choosing only those with the greatest amount of willpower to fight and protect the universe from those who seek to spread fear, anger, and greed. The most notable of lanterns have become staples in the DC Universe and will return to live-action in HBO Max’s Green Lantern series, one that will span decades and focus on some of the most iconic corp members.

    Recognising The Importance Of The Original Green Lantern Alan Scott – The Comic Vault

    While he’s regarded as the first Green Lantern, he isn’t actually a member of the corps itself. Created by Martin Nodell, Alan Scott first appeared in All-American Comics #16 in July of 1940. Scott gained his abilities from a Lantern known as the Starheart, a magical entity trapped within a the lantern by the Guardians of the Universe. To tap into the power of the entity, Alan designed a ring to harness the power of the Starheart and became the golden age Green Lantern. Scott also happened to be a founding member of the Justice Society of America, a WW2 era superhero team that helped the allies in the fight against the Nazis and Hitler who wielded the Spear of Destiny. Alan would fall in love with Rose Canton who was secretly the Flash villain Thorn, fathering two children with her, both of whom would go onto develop abilities due to their father’s close proximity and use of the Starheart. These two would adapt the identities of Jade and Obsidian and join the JSA down the line.

     

    Alan Scott will make his live action debut on the HBO Max Green Lantern series and will reportedly be adapted as an openly gay character, as his Earth-2 counterpart was revealed to be in the New 52 reboot. Alan Scott almost made an appearance in the second season of the CW series Legends of Tomorrow but that idea never made it past the concept art phase. The HBO Max series currently has no set release date and no casting has been made yet.

  • A Brief History of Denials by Marvel Studios Actors

    A Brief History of Denials by Marvel Studios Actors

    If you’ve been keeping up to date with the news, you’d know by now that Tatiana Maslany, who according to a trade report landed the role of Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk for the upcoming Disney Plus streaming series, has now denied that those casting rumors. Many people were taken by surprise when Ms. Maslany denied these rumors, however, it isn’t the first time actors that work within the MCU have denied such casting before. Today, we’re going to take a look at some prime examples of this concept.

     

    1. Paul Rudd

     

    Let’s all go back to a simpler time, 2013. Paul Rudd is fresh off production from Anchorman 2. By that time, Variety had released a report saying that Paul Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were the frontrunners to portray Ant-Man in the MCU. Now because the report came from another source outside official confirmations, when asked about the subject, Paul Rudd stated said “It’s all rumor, man!”.

     

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XIvS-qvRRk&w=560&h=315]

     

    And clearly, we all see how that rumor went years later, with him appearing in 2 solo MCU films and also appearing in Captain America Civil War & Avengers: Endgame.

     

    2. Benedict Cumberbatch

     

    It’s incredibly difficult to believe anyone else could have portrayed Doctor Strange since he was always the top pick amongst fans to portray the Sorceror Supreme but it’s true. Back in 2014, Benedict Cumberbatch spoke to MTV about the possibilities of him portraying Doctor Strange, & he mentioned that at the time, it couldn’t work out because he was doing a little play called ‘Hamlet’ in London. “So I don’t think I could even if that was in the cards. It sounds like a fantastic project. It’s a shame if I miss out, but who knows?”

     

    Clearly, he didn’t miss out, and thankfully he is our Sorceror Supreme today.

     

    3. Evangeline Lilly

     

    Just like Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly denied the rumors of her being the female lead in Ant-Man back in 2014. She stated back then that “No, I can’t. I don’t know anything about those rumors.” And look where she’s at now, kicking it as the resident Wasp in the MCU.

     

    4. Jeremy Renner

     

    Even an original core member of the Avengers had denied he was cast. Back in 2010, Jeremy Renner stated that the Hawkeye rumor was “just one of those things that got blown way out of proportion. It was an idea…So there’s truth that we talked about it, but there’s no truth to me doing it. “

     

    Thankfully, he decided to do it and now, he’s one of the main members of the OG Avengers, has appeared in multiple MCU films and will now have his own Disney+ show Hawkeye.

     

    What does this all mean? Essentially it means that actors are sometimes put into the position to deny any sort of casting rumor until an official confirmation from studios comes through. And what does this mean for Tatiana Maslany’s casting as She-Hulk? It most likely means she’s following suit and denying these “rumors” until they become “confirmations”.

     

    Besides, Mark Ruffalo already tweeted about it.

  • DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Jessica Cruz?

    DC’s ‘Green Lantern’: Who is Jessica Cruz?

    The Green Lantern Corps is one of many emotional spectrum corps that have protected the galaxy since they were formed over three billion years ago by the Guardians of the Universe. The Corp has known no prejudice, welcoming a variety of species and races, choosing only those with the greatest amount of willpower to fight and protect the universe from those who seek to spread fear, anger, and greed. The most notable of lanterns have become staples in the DC Universe and will return to live-action in HBO Max’s Green Lantern series, one that will span decades and focus on some of the most iconic corp members.

    Jessica Cruz, who first appeared in 2014’s Justice League Vol 2 #30, was created by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Sciver. Originally known as Power Ring, she was the unwilling successor to Harold Jordan of the Crime Syndicate after he was killed during the Syndicates attack on Earth Prime. The Ring of Volthoom forced it self upon Cruz and took over, physically and mentally torturing her, and then forcing her to attack her hometown of Portland, Oregon. Jessica then came face to face with Batman, who reached out to her telling her that he was a victim as well and that only in their darkest hours, when they face their fears head on , could they truly persevere. Breaking the influence that the ring had on her, Jessica was able to take control of the ring and learn to wield it with the help of Hal Jordan, joining the Justice League.

    in360news: The Most Powerful GREEN LANTERN Ever is Jessica Cruz

     

    Jessia Cruz is also a character that deals a lot with mental health, suffering from severe anxiety that she developed after a traumatic experience while hunting with friends. During the trip Jessica came across two men dumping a body in the woods. Not wanting n witnesses, the men killed everyone but Jessica, who was able to get away. After the incident, Jessica’s mental state worsened and she locked herself within her apartment for almost four years, until the Ring of Volthoom found her. Jessica’s battle with anxiety proves the willpower within her has strengthened over the years and has become worthy of the title.

    Jessica Cruz will make her live-action debut in HBO Max’s Green Lantern.

  • DC’s ‘BLACK ADAM’: Who is Ma Hunkel?

    DC’s ‘BLACK ADAM’: Who is Ma Hunkel?

    Black Adam is quite possibly one of the most anticipated DC movies in development and is already living up to the hype with the addition of some of DC’s most iconic characters. With such a rich library to pick from, the film will introduce those from the Justice Society and the Black Marvel Family. The hierarchy of power in the DC universe is about to change and Black Adam won’t let anything stand in between him and protecting the kingdom that he’s called home for thousands of years.

    First appearing in All American Comics #3, Ma Hunkel was created by Sheldon Mayer, would go onto don the mantle of the Golden Age Red Tornado in All American Comics #20 and became quite possibly the first female superhero, debuting even before Wonder Woman. Ma Hunkel was a simple housewife in New York city who would go onto open a grocery store with the help of her brother-in-law Gus. Ma was eventually approached by some local no good racketeers who demanded Hunkel pay up protection money to ensure her store’s safety. Ma responded by giving them a good ol’fashioned beatdown, leading them to hastily run to their car in which Hunkel’s daughter and friend Dinky were hiding. When the cops refused to help Ma  in fear of retribution at the hand of the mobster Tubbs Torponi, Ma knew she had to take matters into her own hands and was inspired by her son’s admiration of Green Lantern to become the Red Tornado and rescue the children in a suit that consisted of Long Johns, a red cape, and a shiny pot on her head, but furthering the disguise by appearing as a man.

    Ma would go onto attend the first official meeting of the Justice Society of America but would flee when the bottoms of her suit were ripped, in fear of her secret being revealed. She would later take on a pair of sidekids, the Cylclone kids, who were actually just her daughter Amelia and her friend Dinky. The character would later go on to raise her Granddaughter Maxine Hunkle, Aka Cylclone, and become the caretaker of the JSA headquarters. Ma Hunkel will make her first live action appearence in Black Adam and will be reimagined as a transgender character and work as the caretaker in Carter Hall’s Museum

  • How the Spider-Slayers Could Play Into ‘Spider-Man 3’s Story

    How the Spider-Slayers Could Play Into ‘Spider-Man 3’s Story

    In Charles’ latest ‘What I Heard This Week‘ he stumbled upon something rather interesting. There is a chance that Spider-Man 3 might add the character, Dr. Spencer Smythe. He is one of Spidey’s oldest villains, who made his first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man back in 1965. He is the man that created the iconic Spider-Slayers that were designed to hunt and kill Spider-Man. It seems like the perfect addition as the next film will feature Spidey on the run. He was branded as a murderer, and with the Sakovian Accords still in place, he will be a prime target for many. So, let us try to find out how exactly Smythe might fit into the story that might still feature some multidimensional shenanigans.

    Originally, Smythe was financially backed by J. Jonah Jameson. We were introduced to the iconic character at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. It would make sense to follow the comics but it doesn’t seem fitting for him to do such a thing. Yes, he is the one to call Spider-Man a menace but there is no reason for him to hire anyone to take him down. He probably makes more money as long as Spidey is on the run. My best guess is that Jameson will create a bounty on Spidey’s head that could play on their original connection. It also would give an initiative for other enemies that have been teased to make an appearance.

    Still, it is also possible Smythe works for the government. As far as we know, the Sokovia Accords could still be active. They might have a vested interest in capturing Spidey. He was involved with the big airplane fight alongside Iron Man, so who knows if he technically signed them. Plus, Thunderbolt Ross will be featured in Black Widow, so they might have some bigger plans for him in Phase 4. So, the government is funding Smythe’s Spider-Slayer program but in reality, he is using this opportunity to get his hands on the bounty. Perhaps they will introduce his son Alistair, who was played by BJ Novak in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, as his main motivation. This could potentially also set-up for future appearances.

    Smythe’s inclusion would definitely lead to the slayers being the ones chasing down Spidey. It would be a fun idea of seeing him constantly having to upgrade them as Spidey takes them down. Now that the bounty is up, a group of bad guys is hunting him through New York City. Add to his frustration, the multiverse starts playing tricks and Spidey is barely able to keep up. Somehow, he manages to stay afloat throughout the journey. He has to handle a multitude

    Smythe doesn’t defeat the web-head, he does manage to get some DNA off of him. His lab assistant Miles Warren offers to take care of it. Little does Smythe know, his assisstant has other plans. Spidey uses the chance to take down the Spider-Slayers, but finds a dead Smythe. His son, Alistair, finds the scene of the crime and blames the web-head for it starting his own path. Peter can only watch from the distance not realizing what he may have unleashed. He also is unaware that someone else was cooking up something that will come back to haunt him in the future.

  • Pitching The Live-Action Spider-Verse

    Pitching The Live-Action Spider-Verse

    There’s been a lot of Spider-Man related news making headlines these past few days. With the casting of Jamie Foxx as Electro and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, many fans have started to speculate about how the multiverse plays into the plot of this film, considering the film is set between the events of WandaVision (2020) and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Now, along with this news about the casting and the potential chance of the Multiverse becoming a major theme in this film, right now, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether or not the two previous iterations of the Spider-Man; Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, could have a role in this film.

     

    Right now, there is no official confirmation as to whether or not Tobey and/or Andrew could reprise their roles in this film, or whether or not the Spider-Verse will be adapted to either the upcoming Spider-Man 3 film, or another film entirely, IF AT ALL, but the rumors of them returning are just too loud for anyone to ignore. Personally, as the Spider-Man fan that I am, I, like many, would freak out at the potential return of both Tobey and Andrew, but with that excitement, I also carry with me both concern and trepidation that it may not be done correctly. An event as big as this cannot simply be condensed into a two-hour film in my view. So today, I’m here to “pitch” if you will how Marvel Studios/Sony could “if done correctly”, create one of the best comic book films by dividing the story into three different arcs; Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield.

     

    Tom’s Arc: The Rise of Peter Parker

     

    One of the heaviest criticisms Tom Holland’s portrayal of the character faces is that Peter has been subjected to living under the Avengers’ shadow and their adventures, rather than be able to stand out on his own. His own ties to the MCU (Tony Stark, Nick Fury, Doctor Strange) have fans arguing that Peter Parker’s story as an individual with a world of his own, has not been explored in its entirety. For me, I like to see the last 2 Spider-Man films as the foundations for some decent world-building for Peter. In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Peter learned that the suit does not make him Spider-Man, it’s the values of a hero that make him who he is. In Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), Peter understood that while the world wanted him to be the next Iron Man, he could never live up to those expectations. The world didn’t need another Iron Man, it needed Spider-Man. And now, with these lessons in place, I think that we are finally one step closer to seeing the Spider-Man that most fans want him to be. The Spider-Man that doesn’t need to live in the shadows of the Avengers when he can stand out in the light of his own power. And who better to teach him that…than himself (himselves???).

     

    Andrew & Tobey’s Arc: The Swan Song

     

    The biggest criticisms amongst Spider-Man fans is that after being promised sequels to their respective franchises (mainly Spider-Man 4 and The Amazing Spider-Man 3), the projects were abandoned and many fans disliked that it essentially left their stories without a decent closure. The incorporation of the Spider-Verse storyline could allow fans to delve once again into the worlds of these Spider-Men.

     

    We could see how Peter’s life in the “Raimi-Verse” continued following the events of Spider-Man 3 (2007), with him perhaps being married to Kirsten Dunst’s “Mary Jane Watson” and perhaps even having a child of their own. He could play an older version of Peter Parker, perhaps even be retired from being Spider-Man. As for Peter in the “TASM-Verse”, I could see him being a Spider-Man who still lives with the guilt of Gwen’s death from “The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)”, struggling to comprehend whether he’s worthy to wear the mask if he broke his promise to keep Gwen safe. As the Multiverse collides, elements from their world begin to condense into the MCU/SMCU “shared universe” where we can bring back other actors from these franchises such as William Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Rhys Ifans, Dane DeHaan, and the list goes on and on. By having this storyline play out, we could incorporate a sort of “swan song” which could allow both Tobey and Andrew to give it their all while finally giving fans the closure they need in order, and move on with Tom Holland as the new Spider-Man.

     

    Overall Arc: With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility.

     

    One of the most iconic lines in all of comic book history and arguably the most important lesson in all of the Spider-Man lore. In order for the Spider-Verse to work, this needs to be the central theme in the overarching story and be the lesson that 3 Peters teach each other and can be applied in different ways. By doing so, you can make it an original take on the iconic line.

     

    Raimi Peter: Since in my pitch, he’s retired and doesn’t want to be Spider-Man anymore, he could be reminded of the lesson and understand that he does not need to sacrifice power over responsibility. The Peters could teach him that his power is what keeps his family and his world safe (MCU Peter) and what happens when he does not act on his power (TASM Peter_. And it could allow him to shift his perspective that by being Spider-Man and using his power due to the responsibility of protecting those around him, the meaning behind that iconic phrase is far greater than by simply just not using his power at all.

     

    MCU Peter: He can learn the central lesson by understanding from the other two Peters that by having great power, you have a greater responsibility to protect those you love (Raimi Peter with his family) and the consequences that can come with it (TASM Peter’s inability to save Gwen).

     

    TASM Peter: Haunted by the guilt that he could not protect the one he loved, the Peters could teach TASM Peter that he cannot allow the guilt of Gwen’s death to influence his role as Spider-Man. With great power can come great consequences and those consequences can either make us or break us. But that only he has the power to forgive himself and the responsibility to move on as Spider-Man.

     

    Hopefully, we’ll know more about the project soon.

  • What I Heard This Week: Spider-Slayers in ‘SPIDER-MAN 3’

    What I Heard This Week: Spider-Slayers in ‘SPIDER-MAN 3’

    Every now and then I come across some information the veracity of which can be confirmed by a second source. What happens FAR more often is that I come across some information that while believable and from trustworthy sources, cannot be confirmed by other sources for various reasons. For instance, on February 19th, I wrote this piece relaying some rumors I’d heard about Marvel Studios updating its Disney Plus slate; the next day, the news broke that a special Disney Plus event would be held in London on March 5th where it is expected that Marvel Studios and Star Wars slates will be updated. I also shared information about Peyton Reed directing episodes of season 2 of The Mandalorian months before he made it official. It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been able to hear much of anything, so I’m excited to share this bit on info with you.

    Spider-Man: Whatever Happened to the Smythes and the Spider-Slayers?

    I was recently contacted and had some information shared with me that has led me down a pretty wild path of speculation to an end point that I think makes a ton of sense. The information, while nebulous, comes from a trusted source and I’ve spent some time trying to get a little more context and clear up what I’ve been told, but at this point that is hard to come by, so I’ve landed on the option that makes the most sense to me: Spider-Man 3 may well introduce one of the Wall-Crawler’s oldest villains, Dr. Spencer Smythe.

    Smythe first appeared in 1965’s The Amazing Spider-Man #25 and made a mess of things for Spidey at the behest of J. Jonah Jameson who, as you know, viewed the young hero as a MENACE! Without giving away some details I’ve been asked to keep quiet, Smythe was one of a handful of alliterative Spider-Man characters that I had to choose from based on the information at hand but he’s also the one that fits the best given the way the last film ended. While there’s currently no shortage of crazy Spidey rumors going around right now, it seems a certainty that the film will open with Peter dealing with the fallout from the revelation of his secret identity by Mysterio at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. Of course that movie also brought J.K. Simmons‘ J. Jonah Jameson into the MCU and given his history with Smythe, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see the two team up at the beginning of this threequel. Smythe, of course, doesn’t pose much of a threat himself but he’s more than capable of causing Spidey problems by developing Spider-Slayers!

    Spider-Slayer Mark V | Marvel Database | Fandom

    The Spider-Slayers were a series of robots developed by Smythe with the original model even bearing the face of J. Jonah himself. An appearance by the Smythe and the Spider-Slayer(s) could prove for some incredible shots of Spidey swinging through NYC with the Slayers in pursuit as well as making Jameson a true antagonist in the MCU while bringing a classic Spidey villain to the screen for the first time. It’s also worth noting that Smythe’s son, Alistair, played by BJ Novak, made an appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and we know that Feige has no problem reinventing characters from the previous Spidey franchises at this point with both Simmons and Jamie Foxx reprising their roles in the MCU, so Novak’s Alistair, who was a part of the series of events that saw Foxx’s Max Dillon become Electro, could make his way into this shared universe as well.

    Again there are so many wild rumors out there right now that it’s hard to tell what to believe and hard to get a good idea of just what this movie is about, but adding Smythe and his Spider-Slayers to the film is certainly in line with where things left off last time we saw Spidey! Hopefully, we’ll see where things end up for Peter and company and if I made the right choice in my deductions sooner than later as filming is set to kick off soon and Spider-Man 3 is due in theaters on December 16, 2021!