It appears Spider-Man 3 will see the return of one of the series’ recurring side characters, Flash Thompson. Flash, played by actor Tony Revolori, has made appearances in both Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home, and is reportedly coming back for more. Revolori is a well-known and critically acclaimed actor beyond his work in the MCU, having served as the lead for Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. He’s also currently starring in an Apple TV+ series titled Servant from M. Night Shymalan.
Within the world of the MCU Spider-Man films, Flash Thompson starts out as a bully to Peter Parker, but reluctantly becomes a friend and ally who looks up to the hero Spider-Man. Flash Thompson appeared in a multitude of Marvel comics before making his MCU appearance, always playing the role of the bully to Peter Parker. In some renditions, Flash ends up taking on a superhero role himself, gaining the identity of “Anti-Venom.” Though Revolori’s Flash hasn’t gone that heroic route yet, it looks like there will still be time for his character to be developed.
In a report from Deadline, it has apparently been confirmed that Revolori will be coming back to set for the next installment of the Spider-Man franchise. This was just one detail among a list of Revolori’s other upcoming projects, including the soon-to-be-released Wes Anderson film titled The French Dispatch. The article didn’t reveal any details as to Revolori’s role in the next Spider-Man movie, just stating that the actor will be working on the project in some capacity.
The news of Flash Thompson’s return to the MCU could be exciting news for die-hard Spider-Man fans. Ever since the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming, fans have been theorizing as to how Revolori’s Flash might take on the role of Anti-Venom in one of the sequel films. Unfortunately for these fans, there haven’t been any hints given as to whether we’ll see any symbiote characters in the next movie.
That said, due to the ever-expanding roster of MCU heroes, it is possible that Anti-Venom could be explored in the next Spider-Man movie. It’s even possible that Flash Thompson’s struggle with this hero identity could be a central plot point, though it is more likely that an Anti-Venom-like character would appear as a sort of fan service-y cameo. Whether that will be the case or not will only be determined when Spider-Man 3 is released.
Source: Deadline