Robert Downey Jr. in, Michael Keaton out for Spider-Man: Homecoming

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

You can count Iron Man in to be among the first superheroes to pay a visit to Spider-Man's corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Robert Downey Jr. has agreed to appear in Spidey's reboot-on-the-fly for 2017, proving to fans that the web-slinger is not being kept at arm's length from the rest of the MCU, but being brought right smack into the middle of things where he belongs. 

Under the terms of Sony and Marvel's agreement on Spider-Man, it was believed that fellow Marvel characters would have the ability to cross over into Spider-Man's solo films… but RDJ is the first to put pen to contract and make it official. To what extent he'll appear in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING is unknown, which should come as no surprise given very little is know about the film. However, given the dynamic Downey and new Spidey star Tom Holland share in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, everyone would have been crazy to try not to get more of that for HOMECOMING.

Unfortunately, SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING was dealt a blow to its overall coolness at the same time, with Michael Keaton now out of discussions to join the film. Keaton's name popped up not too long ago, believed to be director Jon Watt's choice to play Vulture in the new film – an idea that definitely struck a chord with fans who were overjoyed at the idea of the former Batman taking on a villainous role in the MCU. But a deal could not be struck and now both parties are moving on, leaving HOMECOMING to still find the right fit for its villain. That's certainly a bummer, but the way things go sometimes.

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING lands in theaters on July 7, 2017.