Michael Keaton's Vulture Soaring Back into Spider-Man 4?

Marvel aficionados are still left squinting into the abyss, trying to decipher the enigma of who will don the crown of villainy in the upcoming Spider-Man 4. And I hate to break it to you, but the odds of it being Michael Keaton’s Vulture are as slim as a spider on a diet. In a delightful little tête-à-tête with Screen Rant, the man himself spilled the beans that, alas, he hasn’t received an official owl—err, call—to reprise his role as Adrian Toomes. Keaton, while promoting his latest comedic offering, Goodrich, was asked if the illustrious Amy Pascal had summoned him back into the Marvel fold. He responded with a hint of nostalgia and a dash of humor: “Oh, wow. That's an interesting character, that guy. Actually, I was there for a minute in the second one... That really was a fun experience, but I haven't talked to anybody about anything. I try not to talk to anybody. I really don't like people."

Ah, the life of an actor—the allure of fame juxtaposed against a fervent aversion to humanity!

Originally nearly snatched up by John Malkovich in Sam Raimi’s abandoned Spider-Man 4, the Vulture finally spread his wings in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) as the film’s chief antagonist. After a little game of tag with our friendly neighborhood spider, Toomes found himself behind bars quicker than you can say “web-slinger.” But wait! In the mid-credits scene, he receives a clandestine visit from his former business partner Mac Gargan, gleefully played by Better Call Saul's own Michael Mando. Gargan, with the kind of curiosity that would make Sherlock Holmes proud, inquires whether Toomes knows Spider-Man’s secret identity. And, shockingly, Toomes waves his hand dismissively and plays the “I-know-nothing” card. As it stands, this tantalizing thread hasn’t yet been elaborated upon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mando still harbors hopes of donning the Scorpion suit, ready to wreak havoc.

Now, before you hitch your emotional wagon to the Vulture once again, it’s worth noting that while Keaton hasn’t yet flapped back into the MCU, he was briefly in discussion for Spider-Man: No Way Home. September 2023 saw Marvel Studios concept artist Phil Saunders unveil an eye-catching piece showcasing a bare-faced Spider-Man, standing at Toomes' doorstep, flanked by a trio of webbed-up villains: Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and Electro. According to Saunders, “An early version of Spider-Man: No Way Home had Peter enlisting the aid of a former foe in rehabilitating the captured multiverse villains.” Quite the tangled web—no pun intended! Although this particular scene fluttered out of existence, Keaton’s Vulture still danced on the periphery of the multiverse chaos in that installment, albeit in a rather indirect manner.

The cherry on top? The post-credits scene of Sony's Morbius suggests, with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, that Doctor Strange’s mischief in No Way Home might have catapulted Toomes into the wild world of Morbius—aka Sony's Spider-Man Universe. Meanwhile, Sony and Marvel have decided to roll the dice with Shang-Chi maestro Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm of Spider-Man 4, gearing up for an anticipated early 2025 production launch. The dynamic duo of Holland and Zendaya (who embodies Michelle Jones-Watson) are also in the throes of negotiations to swing back into action for this sequel.

As for plot details, they remain as shrouded in secrecy as Spider-Man’s masked visage. Yet, whispers abound that Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock/Venom will play a significant role, with tantalizing set photos from Venom: The Last Dance showing the character frolicking through the streets of New York City. But, my dear readers, let’s not pop the confetti just yet—the rumor mill often grinds fine powder from thin air, so best hold off exuberance until Marvel or Sony sends an official smoke signal. In the meantime, if you have a hankering for some spider antics, catch Spider-Man: Homecoming and Morbius streaming like a Marvel-ous dream on Disney+. As for Spider-Man 4, well, it’s yet to find its date with destiny.