Captain America: Civil War - 10 Biggest Last Minute Concerns
8. Spider-Man Is A Cynical Marketing Ploy
Of course it is: of course Marvel's acquisition of Spider-Man's film rights is a business decision as much as it is a symbolic homecoming. But did they really need to put him in Civil War?
Did they need to expedite the deal to include a character who is absolutely key to the comic book arc, when his two most important moments on the page - unmasking and then being rescued by The Punisher - are both impossible to even include? Doesn't that just invite questions of what could have been, even with the crowing about this being the best Spider-Man ever.
Okay, sure, it's great that we don't need another Spider-Man origin movie, but with concerns over the run-time and the over-stuffed ingredients, the idea that Spider-Man is in there only to advance his brand and as a means to boast is a little distasteful. It feels a little like a popcorn pop that will fade without too much substantial after-taste, which already feels in stark contrast to the way Black Panther's future is being talked about.
It's not an entirely unfounded worry either, as IGN confirm at least part of the anxiety:
"Hands down, Spider-Man is the best thing in this movie. He not only steals Caps shield, he pretty much steals his movie, too. Now for what you don't want to hear: Spidey is also completely expendable to this story. He could be cut out of it without making any difference to the narrative whatsoever."
But then maybe that's just because Spider-Man: Homecoming is coming out quicker?