One of the few Marvel films that is confirmed to happen after the events of next year’s Avengers 4 is Spider-Man: Homecoming 2 (likely with a different title), and the first big piece of casting news has been announced: Jake Gyllenhaal is close to signing on to play the villain in the film.
Per THR, Gyllenhaal is in talks to play the antagonist Mysterio in the sequel. In the comics, Mysterio is also known by his alter-ego Quentin Beck, a highly skilled stuntman who is also a special effects marvel with a dream of making it big in Hollywood.
However, after his aspirations are dashed and his attempts to become an actor are poorly received, he realises that his expertise in illusions could make him an excellent super villain. The character is one of Spider-Man’s oldest foes, having first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #13 back in June 1964.
The Gyllenhaal casting is obviously a great call because he’s a phenomenal actor, but it’s also interesting because he was once in the running for the role of Spider-Man himself. He’s proven to have great range, but hasn’t often appeared in big budget blockbusters, so it will be not only fascinating to see him in such a huge film, but to play the villain as well.
It’s not confirmed whether Mysterio is the sole villain of the sequel, though it would seem odd to cast an actor of Gyllenhaal’s stature and not have him be the sole focus of the heroic web slinger. But there were multiple villains in the first Homecoming, despite Michael Keaton‘s Vulture being the main bad guy.
More casting news and plot details will likely emerge soon, as the film is due to hit cinemas on July 5, 2019.
#Peace.Love.Gyllenhaal
