Jon Watts Stays Involved With Avengers: Infinity War, Teases Spider-Man’s Role

Following Spider-Man: Homecoming, the New York City wallcrawler’s next appearance will come in the form of Avengers: Infinity War.

Having made his debut in Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is no stranger to ensemble films with the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the Infinity War saga will be unlike anything else Marvel Studios has done before. It will unite the entire roster of live-action characters for a battle against Thanos, including the cosmic misfits who have never crossed paths with the Earth-based heroes.

For the Guardians of the Galaxy, their Marvel Cinematic Universe godfather James Gunn (who has directed both Guardians of the Galaxy films, the only movies to feature the characters in the MCU) is serving as an executive producer on Infinity War as he helps handle the Guardians’ and Avengers’ first crossover. Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s director Jon Watts will not be billed on the film the same way Gunn is but is involved with its production in the aftermath of his movie.

“It’s a little different because I feel like the Russos originated this take on Spider-Man, or at least the seeds of it, in Civil War,” Watts said. “So, I don’t feel the same kind of ownership that I think James does over the Guardians. But I am totally involved and aware and know everything that’s happening in Infinity War, which is really exciting.”

“So, you know, I’m involved, but I’m not as hands-on as James is.”

As a matter of fact, Spider-Man: Homecoming‘s journey for Peter Parker will be a major factor in how he handles himself and plays into the Infinity War films and his own sequels — which Watts is likely returning to direct.

“I think that the journey that Peter goes through in Homecoming definitely affects who he’s going to be in subsequent movies,” Watts said. “You know, I wanted it to feel like the first step towards this big grand hero’s journey. I mean, he’s the best superhero, so I want to spend some real time with him and watch him grow up.”

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A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

The cast includes Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, with Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. It also includes Jon Favreau, Martin Starr, Kenneth Choi, Michael Mando, Selenis Leyva, Isabella Amara, Jorge Lendeborg, Jr., JJ Totah, and Hannibal Buress.