8 Spider-Man: Homecoming Plot Spoilers We Already Know

5. Tony Stark Replaces Uncle Ben

Spider-Man Homecoming
Marvel Studios

The majority of Peter Parker's incarnations have been defined by their lack of a father figure. After losing both his parents and then Uncle Ben, he's pretty much out of male role models.

Marvel have clearly reevaluated this approach to the character's development and have provided him with a suitable mentor in the form of Tony 'Iron Man' Stark. This serves a dual purpose, it allows the writers to further humanise Stark past being a smug narcissist (something which they've struggled with in the past) and also gives someone other than Aunt May for Peter to rebel against.

Civil War Tony Stark Aunt May
Marvel Studios

Providing Peter with his equipment, encouraging him to stay in school and actually giving a damn about his wellbeing all place Tony in the de facto male guardian position. Also, throughout the trailer, he frequently offers his protege advice in true Stark fashion...

"Don't do anything I would do... and definitely don't do anything I wouldn't do."

...which is so much more entertaining than the 'Great Power, Great Responsibility' spiel.

It will be interesting to see if this dynamic is a one film deal or if Marvel will keep these two characters as a package deal and strengthen the mentor-mentee bond as the MCU moves towards Infinity War.

Contributor
Contributor

A pop culture mad writer from the North East who loves films, television and debating them with whoever will listen. Follow me on Twitter @Johno_Patterson