Kenneth Choi Sons of Anarchy

Some fans were disappointed that Sony and Marvel Studios didn't mix up the ethnicity of Spider-Man when they cast Tom Holland as the new Peter Parker. While Holland was incredibly well received in his Captain America: Civil War debut, fans of diversity had hoped that perhaps he could have been cast along the lines of the comic books' new Spider-Man, the half black/half Latino Miles Morales. While it doesn't sound like Miles will be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe anytime soon, he is currently rumored to be the star of Sony's Animated Spider-Man project. (That is likely a placeholder title, despite the fact that there's a logo for it.)

With Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel), Laura Harrier (One Life To Live), and Disney Channel star Zendaya set to join Holland in major supporting roles for Spider Man: Homecoming, it seems as though Peter Parker's school will see no shortage of diversity, perhaps even resembling an actual learning institution in Queens, NY. A recent report suggests that Sony and Marvel Studios weren't content to stop there.

Deadline reports that Kenneth Choi (Captain America: The First Avenger, The People vs. O.J. Simpson) has just joined the cast of Homecoming as the principal of Peter Parker's high school.

Howling Commandos in Captain America

Choi, who previously played Howling Commando Jim ("I'm from Fresno, Ace") Morita in The First Avenger and Agent Carter, is returning to the MCU as a completely different character. Marvel Studios is a known stickler for continuity, and while they have occasionally recast a role here and there, only rarely have we heard of actors playing more than one featured role in the canon of the films.

Of course, Stan Lee's cameos have historically been one of the few exceptions to this rule, though Alfre Woodard played a "small but pivotal role" in Civil War, unrelated to her villainous turn in the upcoming Netflix series Luke Cage. Additionally, Enver Gjokaj appeared as an NYPD officer The Avengers before joining Agent Carter.

Perhaps Marvel is getting lax on their continuity now that they've begun to juggle characters across mediums and studios, or they may be just counting on their actors of choice turning in such unique performances that audiences don't connect the dots. However, it could be that the old Parker luck dictates his principal is actually Jim Morita's grandson, an out-of-work ex-special forces S.H.I.E.L.D. operative. How's that for an intimidating authority figure?

Captain America: Civil War is in theaters now. Doctor Strange opens November 4, 2016; Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – May 5, 2017; Spider-Man: Homecoming – July 7, 2017; Thor: Ragnarok – November 3, 2017; Black Panther – February 16, 2018; Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 – May 4, 2018; Ant-Man and the Wasp – July 6, 2018; Captain Marvel – March 8, 2019; Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 – May 3, 2019; and as-yet untitled Marvel movies on July 12, 2019, and on May 1, July 10, and November 6 in 2020.

The Animated Spider-Man Movie (official titled TBA) will open in U.S. theaters on December 21st, 2018.

Source: Deadline