Jake Gyllenhaal To Play Mysterio In Spider-Man: Homecoming Sequel; Micheal Keaton To Return
by Erik Amaya
The run-up to 2019’s Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel begins with news about Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) new opponent.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jake Gyllenhaal is in talks play Mysterio. Created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee in Amazing Spider-Man #13, Quentin Beck was a special effects technician who became a supervillain after his attempts at acting were poorly received. His technical prowess made him capable of baffling’s Peter’s spider-sense and dissolving his webbing fluid. Nevertheless, Peter managed to goad Mysterio into admitting he robbed a back while trying to frame Spider-Man; beginning their life-long animosity.
Several others would take on the Mysterio identity after Beck apparently died, including Francis Klum (pictured above), but Beck would return to confront them and Spider-Man time and again.
Of course, his origin could be significantly re-jiggered as Spider-Man: Homecoming successfully recreated both the Vulture (Michael Keaton) and the Shocker (Bokeem Woodbine) into characters more appropriate to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And according to Variety, Keaton will return in some capacity as Adrian Toomes. Considering the Vulture and Mysterio are both members of the Sinister Six back in the comics, perhaps Toomes will begin his version of the revenge squad from prison; employing Mysterio as a proxy of sorts.
Jon Watts returns to direct from a script by Spider-Man: Homecoming screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Previously, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige suggested the film will be the first taste of the MCU’s Phase 4; but it remains to be seen how Mysterio will fit into the mix.
The Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel opens on July 5th, 2019.