The hype is real. The MCU's crack at Spider-Man 3 promises to be an absolute classic, with A-list actors aplenty signing on for the movie. The blockbuster is set to build on the first two installments in the series, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home. And it'll be looking to avoid the same mistakes the third act of the Sam Raimi trilogy made when it hits theatres across the globe in December 2021.
There's been plenty of chatter about numerous characters from past movies making an appearance. So it's time to take a look at every character who is confirmed for the movie - as well as those who are reportedly set to follow suit.
Tom Holland As Peter Parker
Let's start with the obvious. Tom Holland has been Spider-Man ever since appearing in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, where he made an instant impact by stealing Steve Rogers' iconic shield. Since then he's become an immensely popular character, with fans impressed by his boyish charm.
He's probably the closest thing to the Peter Parker of the comics and it'll come as no surprise that he's returning for another outing as everybody's favorite bug. Holland has already started filming in Atlanta and fans can't wait to see what he gets up to this time around..
Zendaya As MJ
Prior to the events of Far From Home, only May Parker and Ned Leeds knew that Peter was Spider-Man. However, MJ learns the truth in that movie, and the pair team up to help stop Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio from reigning supreme. They share an awkward kiss at the end and it's established they're now a new couple in town.
Zendaya has played MJ in both blockbusters so far and she'll be coming back for more. She's been coy so far when quizzed on what fans can expect as she doesn't want to ruin anything. Something fans are both grateful for and slightly annoyed at in equal measure.
Jacob Batalon As Ned Leeds
Jacob Batalon, who plays Ned, is another actor from the past two MCU Spider-Man movies who will be returning to the big screen. He's proven to be a loyal friend for Peter, protecting his secret from others and also helping to take down Shocker in 2017's Homecoming when Spidey was busy trying to stop Vulture from taking Tony Stark's super-tech.
Batalon has apparently lost over 100 pounds in the 18 months/two years since Far From Home and fans wonder whether that was merely for himself, or this role. Either way, the guy looks in great shape and should have a big part to play.
Tony Revolori As Flash Thompson
Flash Thompson has been a minor character in the past two Spider-Man movies. He loves the webhead so it'll be intriguing to see how he reacts to the news that Peter Parker, a student he looks down upon, is actually the person behind the mask.
Far From Home hinted at the character having something dark going on, with Peter reading texts from Flash to his mother saying he's not heard from her or his father in days. This could just be to show the character has a turbulent home life, which may explain his bad behavior. Then again, it's the MCU, so it might also have deeper connotations...
Marisa Tomei As May Parker
Inevitably, Marisa Tomei will be back as Aunt May. She's had a minor role to play in the first two movies, as well as Civil War. But with Peter's alter ego now an open secret for the world, that could be set to change.
Fans are also looking forward to seeing what happens regarding her relationship with Happy Hogan. He's definitely keen on her but, given her relaxed and carefree aura, she might not feel the same. Either way, juggling looking after Peter and dating Happy at the same time could be quite tricky for her to manage now that her nephew is poised to become the subject of some big investigations.
Benedict Cumberbatch As Doctor Strange
With Iron Man out of the picture, Peter is down a mentor. The events of Far From Home showed that he was able to step up when it matters, but it also exposed how his good heart can be exploited by forces of evil such as Mysterio. So, in order to make sure he's doing things right, Doctor Strange has been confirmed to enter the fray.
This might just be because Benedict Cumberbatch is superb at keeping Tom Holland in check, preventing him from leaking things in past interviews. But you know Cumberbatch didn't sign on merely to keep an eye, so it's exciting to see what'll happen with Doctor Strange. Especially with his own solo movie scheduled to release soon after.
Jamie Foxx As Electro
Now, this is where things get really interesting. Jamie Foxx played Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and appeared to die towards the end of that movie. However, this is the MCU and Foxx has already confirmed he'll be playing the character again in a since-deleted Instagram post.
In that post, he teased a live-action Spider-Verse and also said: "Super excited to be part of the new Marvel Spider-Man ... And I won’t be blue in this one ... But a thousand percent badass." While his character wasn't the most memorable first time around, fans are thrilled to know he's coming back nonetheless.
Alfred Molina As Otto Octavius
2004 was a good year for movies but Spider-Man 2 may have just been the best of the lot. The story was great, Tobey Maguire was excellent as Peter Parker and it paved the way for the epic superhero blockbusters that have released in the years since. And another reason it was so great was because of Alfred Molina, who played a scarily humane villain in Dr. Otto Octavius.
Octavius, much like Electro, seemed to die at the end of that respective movie. However, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed rumors that he'll be back in action for Spider-Man 3. To see Molina back as the iconic bad guy feels like a dream come true and he could be a ridiculously difficult enemy for Peter to conquer.
Tobey Maguire As Peter Parker
When Tobey Maguire was first cast as Spider-Man, some fans had their doubts. They felt he was too old for the role but, when the movie of the same name released in the summer of 2002, those fears subsided. Maguire was immensely popular as the webhead and, according to Collider, he's set to don the iconic red and blue suit once again.
This is permitting some hitches, with Maguire still locked in talks with Sony/Marvel about reprising his role. Collider is pretty sure that'll happen, though, and the loyal fans are buzzing to see him back. For many, Maguire was the Spidey of their childhood.
Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker
As if two Spider-Man versions weren't enough, the aforementioned publication also states Andrew Garfield will be back as well. Because why not?
Unlike Maguire, this is stated with complete and utter certainty. Garfield replaced Maguire as Peter and starred in The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 before the third and final act of the trilogy was cut. However, he might not be alone...
Emma Stone As Gwen Stacy
Perhaps the saddest moment in Spider-Man movie history is the death of Gwen Stacy in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. It's haunting seeing her plummet to her doom, with Garfield's Peter battling frantically to save her life. There's a funeral as well and Peter gives up fighting crime for a while before a rewatch of an old video clip involving Gwen sparks him back into life.
Despite Gwen dying, however, Collider reports she'll be back as well. This suggests fans could be seeing Gwen before her doom. Either that or a zombie-like scene like the one involving Iron Man in Far From Home.
Kirsten Dunst As Mary Jane Watson
Kirsten Dunst has kept a low profile in recent years, with the 38-year-old only appearing in TV shows Drunk History and On Becoming a God in Central Florida since her appearance in Black Mirror back in 2017. However, she now appears primed for a sensational return as Mary Jane Watson.
All three of the Sam Raimi movies followed the same routine, with Peter having to save his love interest from supervillains at the end of every single movie. Fortunately, the MCU has made their female characters far stronger so fans hope they see a different side to the character.
Charlie Cox As Daredevil
Charlie Cox played Matt Murdock in the Netflix TV show Daredevil. He was immensely popular and, according to Murphysmultiverse, will be popping up in Spider-Man 3. Cue delight from fans gutted at the cancellation of his solo series.
It's claimed he'll be Peter's lawyer as he looks to clear his name after being accused of murdering Mysterio in cold blood in Far From Home. Fans of the series are stoked to see how that goes. The report says Daredevil 'was always going to end up in [Kevin] Feige’s box of toys' and that gives hope of a series four. Whether he fights alongside Peter (or Peters), though, remains to be seen.