Spider-Man, welcome to the multiverse. Or so it seems.
According to THR, it appears that Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest actor to join the upcoming film, “Spider-Man 3,” occupying a mentor-ish role that was previously given to Robert Downey, Jr. in ‘Homecoming.’ Cumberbatch, who plays the MCU’s Doctor Strange in his own franchise, as well as the recent ‘Avengers’ films, joining the cast of ‘Spider-Man 3’ seems to point to what has become a growing rumor and speculation—the multiverse is coming for Peter Parker.
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While the report doesn’t claim to have any insider details about the forthcoming sequel, last week, it was announced that Jamie Foxx is onboard to reprise his role as Electro in the new film. He was last seen as the character in “Amazing Spider-Man 2,” which starred Andrew Garfield as the Webhead. So, this got fans’ minds going in loops. Add to that a mysterious image that was posted by Foxx on social media, seemingly showing three different Spider-Men, and quickly deleted. Now, fans are absolutely banking on the fact that the threequel is going to somehow bridge the gap between the three ‘Spidey’ franchises (the other led by Tobey Maguire) and somehow include the separate (but maybe same?) spinoff films into some sort of big, megaverse.
And if you need to deal with alternate realities, you must require the help of the Sorcerer Supreme, aka Doctor Strange. Adding fuel to the blaze is the knowledge that Cumberbatch’s next ‘Strange’ film, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” (directed by “Spider-Man” helmer Sam Raimi, of course) seems to point to the multiverse playing a large role in the future of the MCU, we could be looking at the two films being linked together in ways we had no idea about previously. Will we see the ‘Strange’ film explore the other Spider-verses, for example?
Regardless of the story implications of having Cumberbatch in the new “Spider-Man” film, it’s clearly a good business decision for Sony. The newest “Spider-Man” films have done well due to the extended relationship with the MCU, allowing for the ‘Avengers’ characters to come make guest appearances. In addition, when you consider the animated hit, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” dealt with the multiverse and won an Oscar, why wouldn’t Sony want to replicate that success in live-action?
“Spider-Man” is expected to begin shooting later this month in London, while “Doctor Strange 2” is also about to begin filming. So, hopefully, we’ll learn more info (like maybe a Toby Maguire or Andrew Garfield spotting?) in the weeks to come.