A familiar face from the Spider-Man franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been replaced.
The MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy, helmed by director Jon Watts, forever changed how audiences viewed the beloved wall-crawler. By weaving Peter Parker seamlessly into Marvel’s sprawling cinematic tapestry, Tom Holland’s portrayal of the web-slinger brought youthful energy and emotional depth to the multibillion-dollar franchise. From his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Holland quickly became a fan-favorite, embodying a Peter Parker navigating the dual challenges of high school life and superhero responsibilities.
The trilogy’s journey kicked off with Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), where Peter juggled the pressures of adolescence, his growing powers, and his mentorship under Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Holland’s portrayal struck a chord as a wide-eyed teen eager to prove himself.
The story intensified in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), as Peter grappled with the loss of his mentor following the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019). Emerging from Stark’s shadow, he embraced his role as a solo superhero. Finally, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) delivered a jaw-dropping Multiverse moment, reuniting fans with Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire in a heartfelt tribute to Spider-Man’s cinematic legacy.
Watts’ trilogy didn’t just connect Spider-Man to the MCU—it honored the character’s history while setting up Holland’s Peter Parker as a definitive version for a new generation. Acting as an extended origin story, the trilogy culminates in Peter’s realization of the iconic Spider-Man mantra: with great power comes great responsibility. With Spider-Man 4 on the horizon, fans are eager to see the fallout from Peter’s heartbreaking decision in No Way Home, where the world forgets his identity.
Producer Amy Pascal recently teased the next chapter, saying Peter’s choice to embrace his Spider-Man persona while sacrificing Peter Parker’s life will be a core theme. “There’s room to grow,” Pascal shared with Deadline, hinting at a deeper emotional exploration. Set to release just two months after Avengers: Doomsday (2026), rumors swirl about Tom Holland returning alongside Robert Downey Jr. as Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom and Chris Evans in a fresh take on Steve Rogers as Nomad.
Beyond No Way Home, Holland’s trilogy introduced new villains to the MCU, like Michael Keaton’s Vulture and Jake Gyllenhaal’s enigmatic Quentin Beck/Mysterio. Gyllenhaal’s performance in Far From Home as the charming yet deceitful Beck remains a highlight, leaving fans eager for his return. Some speculate Mysterio might reappear in Spider-Man 4, possibly alongside the Sinister Six or even Ghost Rider, though reports claim the script for this Phase Six film faces challenges.
Interestingly, Mysterio has already made a comeback of sorts, appearing in What If…? Season 3, which debuted its final chapter this December.
Marvel Studios’ What If…? offers a mind-bending dive into alternate realities, reimagining pivotal MCU moments through fresh lenses. Guided by Uatu the Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright), the animated anthology series pushes boundaries with creative storytelling. However, not every actor returned to voice their live-action characters, and this trend continued in Season 3. Notably, Jake Gyllenhaal didn’t reprise his role as Mysterio, with Alejandro Saab stepping in instead.
Saab, a renowned voice actor from the anime world, joined other fresh faces as the show continued to explore the Multiverse. As fans know, Variants are a hallmark of the Multiverse Saga, making it unsurprising for new voices to take on familiar roles. Just as Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man exists alongside Tom Holland’s, so too can new actors embody MCU icons like Quentin Beck.
With What If…? wrapping up on December 29, it marks the end of an era for Marvel’s most experimental series. As the Multiverse Saga marches toward its grand finale with Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), big changes are ahead for the MCU.
How do you feel about new actors stepping into these legendary roles? Let us know in the comments below!
