Michael Keaton Wanted For Spider-Man: Homecoming Villain

It's almost like Marvel really want us all to see the new Spider-Man movie or something.According to Variety,Michael Keaton is being eyed to play a villain in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

They don't specifically say who, but tying this to Birth Movies Death's report that the Vulture might be lined up to play at least one of the villains, there's a distinct possibility that Keaton may follow his adored performance in Birdman by playing a bird man.

This would also represent a full circle gestation for Keaton, whose career kicked off thanks to his casting in 1989's Batman, and gives the film an immediate new level of interest and gravitas. He's always been best when playing complex characters with dark edges, and playing a full-on villain fits his weird, other-worldly charisma.

Quite how he's going to channel his most famous villain character (Beetlejuice) into a comedy with John Hughes influences remains to be seen.

While the plot is heavily guarded and Keaton's character will remain under wraps, it's inevitable that people will make that leap that he's going to play Vulture. But with that rumour suggesting Vulture would be the "non-main" bad guy to Tom Holland's Spidey, would it not make more sense for Keaton to be brought in as a bigger presence like Norman Osborne or Doctor Octavius?

A side-lined Vulture just doesn't sound like it fits Keaton's current profile.

And surely there's no way Marvel would cast an actor to play a winged comic book character based on his performance as an actor who played a winged comic book character which was in turn based on his experience playing a winged comic book character. Particularly when the original one is the competition's biggest brand. Wouldn't that be an unhelpfully meta allusion to DC?

So, I wouldn't entirely be surprised if Keaton is eyed for a more substantial role: imagine him as Green Goblin for a minute... And not just for a single movie. That's a much more palatable idea.

What do you think of this potential casting news? Share your reactions below in the comments thread.