Spider-Man: Homecoming Writers On Why They Included One Iconic Comic Book Scene

The latest big screen iteration of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man took a lot of liberties with the source material while staying true to the heart of the character, providing a fresh take on the Wallcrawler that both die-hard fans and casual fans could enjoy.

But Spider-Man: Homecoming was also packed with iconic imagery that paid homage to the comics by Steve Ditko, John Romita, and Stan — including one scene in the climax of the film when the Vulture nearly kills his teenaged foe.

Screenwriters John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein spoke with THR about including the scene where Spider-Man is nearly crushed after the Vulture caves in his lair’s ceiling on top of him, originally drawn by Ditko in Amazing Spider-Man #33.

“That allusion was something [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige really wanted to put into this script, because it sort of embodies the internal struggle that Peter Parker is facing throughout, where he is his own greatest enemy in some ways, to have to accept himself before he can do anything helpful for the world,” Daley said. “We have him starting the scene with such self-doubt and helplessness, in a way that you really see the kid. You feel for him. He’s screaming for help, because he doesn’t think he can do it, and then in the context of that flashback, he kind of realizes that that’s been his biggest problem. He didn’t have the confidence in himself to get himself out of there.”

In the original comic, Spider-Man is nearly crushed after Doctor Octopus’ lab caves in on him, but the guilt of his Uncle Ben dying and his will to save Aunt May gets him to summon the strength to persevere.

It’s not an exact recreation of the scene, but it’s an awesome interpretation that speaks to the heart of Spidey’s character and his willpower. Ditko’s comics aren’t lacking for iconic scenes that would work well on movie screens, but that one might be one of the best translations of a classic comic book sequence playing out on film.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is in theaters now.

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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.

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[h/t] Box Office Mojo