Comics
Michael Keaton To Terrorize ‘Spider-Man’?
With Captain America: Civil War about to hit theaters in a few weeks, Doctor Strange being in post-production and finally having a trailer, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 currently filming, all eyes are slowly turning towards the next Marvel Cinematic Universe installment on deck. That film is Spider-Man: Homecoming and it will begin production this summer. If Variety is correct, it might be doing so with a fan favorite character actor as one of its villains: Michael Keaton. The film is, of course, set to be directed by Jon Watts (Clown, Cop Car).
Beyond a few instances of casting, we know very little about Marvel’s first Spider-Man film of their own. We know that Tom Holland will be reprising the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man from Captain America: Civil War. We also know that Marisa Tomei will be our new Aunt May and that Zendaya has been cast as a character named Michelle. Plot-wise, we have nothing to go on but rumors at this point.
Those rumors point towards the possibility of multiple villains being in the film, although it is unclear at this time as to whether they will all be trading blows with the web-slinger or if some are simply being introduced as side characters for future heel turns in sequels. If they are true, we could be seeing the likes of Adrian Toomes (aka The Vulture), Mac Gargan (aka The Scorpion), and/or Norman Osborn (aka The Green Goblin) pop up in the film.
Rumor (there’s that word again) has it that Keaton is being eyed to play Vulture, but there’s absolutely no confirmation of that at this time. I could easily see him as Norman Osborn, Mac Gargan, or even J. Jonah Jameson. Actors Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Banks, and Hugh Laurie are supposedly being eyed for roles as well, but again, there’s no confirmation of any of that at this time.
So what does it all mean? It means that one way or another, we should be getting some more casting for this film in the lead-up to production. Hopefully a synopsis and some character names as well when we do, but knowing Marvel, they might remain mum on those particular details. Regardless, if even one of these rumors is to be believed, we’re looking at a Spidey film that will have at least a few great actors in it. For now, that’s all I really need to know.
So what do you think? Will Keaton make a good Spidey villain? And is Vulture a good choice for him (if true)? Feel free to tell us what you think (and crack a few Birdman jokes) below.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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