Spider-Man Reboot: Who Should Be In The Supporting Cast

What a web Sony and Marvel has spun for itself. Now that Spider-Man will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a rebooted film for July 2017, the character once again has a fresh start for his big-screen adventures. But the film isn't just a new opportunity for the wall-crawler; its a clean slate for his supporting cast as well. 

Now that Marvel and head honcho Kevin Feige has a say in Spider-Man's cinematic future, we can only imagine that they'll assemble a supporting cast that best reflects the character's family. While Spider-Man works well on his own, he's only made stronger by the robust supporting cast that flesh out his world. Below, we predict the supporting cast members we want to round-out 2017's Spider-Man film.

J. Jonah Jameson

We missed the old cigar chomper during the Amazing Spider-Man reboot, and can't think of a better reintroduction than through the official gates of Marvel. Jameson is the perfect foil to Spider-Man, systematically shaking the hero's confidence with his scathing editorials and proclamations of public menacing. But as J.K. Simmons proved during Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films, Jameson can also be a fountain of comic relief with his absurd demands and curmudgeon behavior. In fact, Simmons even said recently that he'd reprise the character if the role was right. We certainly wouldn't complain if he put the old 'stache back on.

Flash Thompson

After two cinematic installments, its time for Harry Osborn to take a break as Peter's youthful companion. In his place should be Flash Thompson, bully-turned number-one Spider-Man fan. Recent Marvel comics have proved that the character has legs (heh) beyond the simple bully archetype. Sure, Thompson could rib on Peter by day, but the new film should balance that out by highlighting his love for the Web-Slinger. And someday down the the line, who's to say Marvel wouldn't want to make an on-screen Agent Venom for Guardians of the Galaxy 5? Andrew Garfield, we've found your consolation prize.

Aunt May

Sally Fields' turn as Aunt May showed that the character is more than a source of guilt and worry for Peter Parker. She can be a guiding light, a source of motivation and inspiration to keep Peter going when the old Parker Luck rears its ugly head. But this next Aunt May needs to be sharp. Like Fields, the next May shouldn't buy every lame excuse Peter concocts when he's home late for wheat cakes. She needs to push Peter and keep him on his toes, highlighting just one of the many costs of maintaining a secret identity.

Norman Osborn/Green Goblin

If you're going to restart a franchise, you might as well stick with the basics. As such, Spider-Man 2017 should feature Peter Parker's arch-nemesis, The Green Goblin, as the main villain. But we don't want another cackling, evil Power Ranger knock-off. If done right, the Green Goblin can be a truly disturbing individual with a sense of sadism that know no bounds. Just look at Warren Ellis' Thunderbolts run if you don't believe us. The real key to making this Goblin work, however, is keeping him alive at the film's end. Marvel and Sony could make him a recurring villain who makes his war against Spider-Man increasingly personal with each turn. And given enough time, Norman could graduate into a greater Marvel Universe villain like he did in the comics. We can see it already: Avengers: Dark Reign—coming summer 2030.

Mary Jane Watson

Speaking of going back to basics, Mary Jane Watson needs to be front and center in Peter Parker's life. We think the new film should establish a romantic relationship based on Brian Michael Bendis' Ultimate Spider-Man run. In that series, Mary Jane dates Peter with the knowledge that he is Spider-Man, knowing all the risks and sacrifices that come with such a romance. Mary Jane would also make for the perfect on-screen confidant for Peter, giving him an outlet to express his anxieties in a way that doesn't feel ham-fisted or forced. Plus, it's been more than 10 years since we heard someone purr "Face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot," on the big screen. We're ready for another go.

Not Uncle Ben

Please, please, please, Marvel. Do not rehash Spider-Man's origin story with a third Uncle Ben who's just going to bite it thirty minutes in. If Marvel and Sony play it wisely (which we think they will), Spider-Man 2017 will occur sometime after Uncle Ben's death, making the character an unnecessary addition to the cast. Peter can make all the references in the world to his beloved mentor if he wants, but any use of Ben should be off-screen.

Which Spider-Man characters do you want to see in the rebooted film? Sound off in the comments below.