MCU: 10 Fascinating Facts About Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
1. Ned Leeds Isn't Actually Based Off Ned Leeds
Okay, so this one’s a little complicated. Basically, Peter’s beloved friend Ned Leeds – who helps him both survive highschool and covers him when he’s off on Spider-shenanigans – in theory isn’t Ned Leeds at all.
The comic universe Ned Leeds is almost entirely different to the one we meet in the film, mainly in the sense he’s borderline antagonistic to Peter in the comics, as both characters are in a rivalry for the affections of Betty Brant, who cameos in the film sans any role as a love interest.
Instead, Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Ned Leeds appears to be more based off Ganke Lee – Miles Morales’ partner in crime, and a well-meaning, loveable dork. Ganke and the film’s Ned Leeds not only look incredibly similar, but behave incredibly similarly, with Ned even picking up Ganke’s love of building models and with Legos. Not only is this swap out an improvement character wise, but it also suggests even more strongly that Miles Morales will be featuring in the next live-action Spider-Man film: even if Peter stole his best friend.