Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
It’s not something new for Marvel Studios’ productions to go through a variety of changes and cancellations. However, one revelation has fans buzzing with both excitement and regret. According to concept art shared online by multiple storyboard artists, Michael Keaton’s Vulture was initially slated for a pivotal role in Tom Holland’sSpider-Man: No Way Home.
The 2021 installment was the closest thing fans ever received to a movie that featured multiple villains similar to the Sinister Six—even though it only had five villains, and a few of them were left on the back burner. It’s only after the revelation of the concept arts, fans came across how Michael Keaton’s Vulture was set to team up with Spider-Man until his cameo was scrapped.
Spider-Man: HomecomingHad Set Michael Keaton’s Return as Vulture in the MCU
Michael Keaton’s portrayal ofAdrian Toomes, aka Vulture, inSpider-Man: Homecomingwas nothing short of iconic. His performance as the main antagonist of the 2017 movie brought a grounded, menacing edge to the MCU’s roster of villains. However, it was his mid-credits scene in the film that caught people’s attention like never before.
Michael Keaton Vulture Theory Explains Adrian Toomes Knew One Avenger Even Before Tom Holland’s Spider-Man
During theHomecomingmid-credits sequence, Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes was seen refusing to disclose the wall-crawler’s secret identity to Michael Mando’s Mac Gargan while in prison. This particular scene not only gave hope but also inspired fans to speculate on the Vulture’s return to the MCU. The idea of seeing Vulture reappear was certainly tantalizing.
However, despite the character’s potential in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man universe, Michael Keaton did notreappear on-screen untilMorbius(2022), which is set in Sony’s Venom-verse. This left fans quite disappointed until they came across concept art fromSpider-Man: No Way Home,which revealed how Keaton was slated to appear in the 2021 movie.
Tom Holland’sSpider-Man: No Way HomeScrapped Michael Keaton’s Appearance
WhenSpider-Man: No Way Homewas announced, the buzz surrounding Michael Keaton’s appearance was palpable. The film’s premise, involving the multiverse and the return of familiar villains from previous Spider-Man franchises, set the stage for Vulture’s return. But unfortunately, Keaton was never spotted in the film, until concept arts and storyboard revealed how the character was once in the script.
“But this time he prevailed”: Spider-Man: No Way Home Script For Andrew Garfield and Zendaya’s Scene Will Make Marvel Fans Cry
According to artworks shared onInstagramby Josh Nizzi, and later corroborated by@Marvel_Updates_on X, Michael Keaton’s Vulture was once poised to join forces with Spider-Man in a capacity that could have been a game-changer. As per the artworks, it seems evident that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man universe hadset the stage for Vulture’s reappearance. However, it was not until the last minute that the character was scrapped.
(6/24) Concept art of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man asking Vulture for help in order to catch all of the multiversal villians loose in New Yorkpic.twitter.com/nwptFM1DDe
(9/24) Concept art of Spider-Man and the Vulture teaming up in Spider-Man: No Way Homepic.twitter.com/pQuGvmClVH
Initial plans included Michael Keaton’s Vulture potentially teaming up withTom Holland’s Spider-Man, bringing a fresh twist to the multiverse chaos. The concept art depicted how Vulture was expected to align with Spider-Man to catch all of the multiversal villains loose in New York. However, despite the complex narrative that could have emerged from this collaboration,Spider-Man: No Way Homeultimately scrapped Keaton’s appearance.
The reasons behind this cancellation remain speculative, but oftentimes such decisions are influenced by narrative cohesion, character arcs, and more. Nonetheless, the omission of Vulture’s cameo became a missed opportunity for what could have been an electrifying development in Spider-Man’s cinematic journey. So now, fans will have to make peace with the tantalizing “what ifs” and hope that the MCU revisits these possibilities in future narratives.
Spider-Man: No Way Homeis currently available to watch on Disney+.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
More from Krittika Mukherjee
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Michael C. Hall’s Breakout Came at Adam Scott’s Lowest Career Moment
The Map That Leads to You: Madelyn Cline Shares Controversial Dating Advice That’s Genius
Recommended
New ‘Harry Potter’ BTS Image Reveals Nick Frost’s Shockingly Perfect Look as Hagrid
Upload Season 4: How Many Episodes Will the Final Season Have?
Japan’s 10 Most-Watched Anime of 2025: Naruto Not Even in Top 5
18 Years Later, 47%-rated Mark Wahlberg Action Blockbuster Is Still Conquering Streaming
Ne Zha Ending Explained: How The Major Deaths Set Up Ne Zha 2?
When Is Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black: Season 2 Releasing?
Michael KeatonSpider-Man: No Way HomeTom Holland
