As Spider-Man: Homecoming is edging its way round the corner, it is becoming more evident that it will be very different from what we’ve seen from Marvel so far. That is largely down to its reliance on a fairly young cast. Granted, it’s got big names attached to it already, but we’re seeing some fresh talent emerging and stepping into some significant roles. Recently, it has been revealed that Jacob Batalon, a previously unknown Hawaiian actor, is playing Ned Leeds in the movie.
Jacob Batalon spilled this information himself in an interview with the news channel KHON2 in which he mentions the name Ned Leeds, and adds that in Spider-Man: Homecoming he will play Peter Parker’s best friend.
He also summarizes what sort of themes the film will be touching on:
“Well, Ned Leeds; I play Peter Parker’s best friend in the film. We are both in high school; we are about fifteen. And it’s just about Peter dealing with being a superhero and going through puberty. He still has to worry about homework. He still has to worry about his crush liking him, while trying to save someone who’s probably in a burning building. He can’t tell anyone, because he’s not the cool kid, so he’s just stuck with this really cool life that he can’t tell anyone about.”
While it may mean absolutely nothing to many people, the implications of the name ‘Ned Leeds’ will certainly be exciting to fans of the Spider-Man comics. While the backstory is complex, to say the least, Ned Leeds is basically a character associated with the Spider-Man foe Hobgoblin. Leeds works for the Daily Bugle where he falls in love with, and later marries, Betty Brant. After being captured and brainwashed into believing he is the Hobgoblin, Leeds performs criminal acts in place of Roderick Kingsley. Kingsley eventually falsely reveals the Hobgoblin’s identity as Ned Leeds, and Leeds is then killed by an assassin. Like I said… complex.
It’s safe to say Marvel won’t be using the confusing storyline from the comics, and as Spider-Man: Homecoming will bring us a fifteen year old Ned Leeds, we can’t expect the Hobgoblin to show up any time soon. Nevertheless, it seems Marvel could be setting up the MCU with some interesting villains for Spidey to face further down the line, and with Tom Holland signed on for six movies, this is only becoming more likely.
The Hobgoblin possibility is intriguing, and teases fans with what exciting things are to come. We will presumably see Marvel lay numerous foundations in Spider-Man: Homecoming on which they can build in this Spider-Man franchise, so when the movie does arrive, keep your eyes peeled.
With a cast featuring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Michael Keaton, Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr., Spider-Man: Homecoming is set to release on July 7, 2017.
Source: KHON 2