Following the massive success of The Winter Solider, Captain America: Civil War is one of the most anticipated movies of 2016. That hype is boosted by the arrival of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, who, after landing back at Marvel thanks to an exclusive deal with Sony, is set to debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
We know the new Spidey will be played by up-and-coming actor Tom Holland, and that the web-slinger will get his very own Marvel solo film in 2017 - but other than that, not much is known about the fresh edition of Peter Parker. Especially after Spider-Man was not showcased at all in the latest Captain America: Civil War trailer, a lot of mystery still surrounds the character’s role. But at last, it seems we finally have some information regarding his presence in Civil War, thanks to a new leak that reveals Spider-Man’s introduction to the MCU.
According to a report from Geek.com, Spider-Man will team up with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) following a lifelong admiration of Iron Man. "Peter started becoming Spidey because he grew up and idolized Tony," a source close to the movie told Geek. In a world where the Avengers must choose between Captain America’s (Steve Evans) independently roaming superheroes and Iron Man’s desire for orderly regulation, selecting sides is a crucial aspect of the Civil War plot structure.
For those wondering about the continuity of Spider-Man’s allegiance with Iron Man, the math adds up. Civil War is said to take place 10 years after the events of the original Iron Man film, and Peter Parker is supposedly 15 years old when we pick back up with Civil War. That would mean that Parker was five when Stark first became a superhero, meaning that the possibility of a mentor relationship is certainly feasible. Apparently Stark has been keeping track of Parker’s exceptional intelligence and abilities since he was a child, as well.
By the time Civil War begins, Parker has already become the burgeoning vigilante we all know from his origin story. Stark exploits his capabilities by contacting the young Spider-Man and offering him an “advanced Spider-suit,” which is much more useful than the rag-and-tag costume he was initially using. Peter, who is eager to improve his powers and work with his idol, naturally agrees.
Of course, Marvel has yet to confirm any of these reports, but they definitely sound promising. We’ll have to wait and see as Captain America: Civil War arrives in theaters on May 6.
