In the second MCU Spider-Man adventure, Far From Home, ol’ web-head just wants a vacation from his life as Spider-Man and just be a normal teenager. It doesn’t take long before Peter Parker realizes that there’s no way to separate the Spider from the Man.
Mysterio makes his long-awaited cinematic debut to battle The Elementals and establish himself as Earth’s newest protector...or does he?
MJ’s Sweatshirt
The MJ of the MCU is a vast departure from the red-headed vixen in the comics. Played by Zendaya in the movies, MJ doesn’t even stand for Mary Jane - here she’s Michelle Jones. She’s also more of a goth kid and doesn’t seem she’d ever utter the classic phrases, “face it Tiger, you just hit the jackpot,” or “go get ‘im Tiger.” But the Black Dahlia obsessed MJ does pay homage to her comics counterpart, she’s wearing a cardigan with tiger on it during the film.
Peter’s Suitcase Is Uncle Ben’s
The MCU creative team has so far rightly excluded yet another Spidey origin story - if you don’t know how Spider-Man becomes Spider-Man, then chances are you don’t care and aren’t going to watch these movies.
But they also have paid tribute to Peter’s dearly departed Uncle Ben without showing him or his murder. Peter’s suitcase bears the initials “B.F.P.”- as in Benjamin Franklin Parker, who no doubt still has some influence over how Peter carries himself.
Mysterio’s Lurking
Played by Jake Gyllenhaal, Quentin Beck is a complete creepy jerk. But for the first half of the movie, he’s treading a thin line between creep and hero. He’s also only seen in his Mysterio costume or mo-cap suit for the entire movie. Except for one scene - he’s wearing a gaudy Hawaii’s shirt and looking as inconspicuous as he can look in the background - he’s doing his best to scope Peter Parker out.
The Amazing Spider-Man # 143
Throughout the movie (like most comic book flicks), there are several little Easter Eggs sprinkled throughout the proceedings, paying homage to the history of Spider-Man. Towards the end of the film, Peter and MJ share their first kiss. Spidey’s not hanging down or anything that spectacular. But nearby is a license plate that reads “ASM143,” commemorating Amazing Spider-Man # 143, which was the first-ever kiss the couple shared in the comics.
Brad Davis Debuted in AMS # 188
After The Blip, the kids all returned to their classes at Midtown. Not all of the kids Blipped Out, half of the kids aged over the five years. Brad Davis was one of them. The little kid was now the object of “all of the girls,” according to Ned, anyway. Similar to the film, Brad did appear in the comics in much the same way - a foil for Peter, also vying for the affections of MJ.
Who Is Talos And Who Is Fury?
If Nick Fury seems a little bit cheerier than in other MCU films, it’s because it really wasn’t Fury on-screen. In the final scene, it’s been revealed that Fury is actually on a Skrull ship relaxing before its time to head back to work.
Talos, meanwhile, has been posing as Nick on the ground. Since this reveal, it’s been thought by fans that whenever Nick is referred to as such on-screen throughout the first 23 MCU movies, it’s been Talos and vice versa for Fury.
E.D.I.T.H.
The big MacGuffin of the film are the sunglasses that Tony had left for Peter. The anagram of course is complete Tony - Even Dead I’m The Hero. Later on the film, Peter is making himself a new suit and Happy cranks out the AC/DC. It’s clear the MCU is grooming Peter to take his rightful place as the heart, soul, and brain of it. But Spidey as Stark’s protege is not an uncommon story thread in the comics either - it started back in 2006’s Civil War.
Ned And Betty’s Tragic Tale
If the MCU delves further into adapting the relationship between Ned Leeds and Betty Brant, they’ll be venturing into some pretty dark territory. They were an on-again/off-again couple, Betty once dated Peter abut became the target of the villain the Sin-Eater. Ned was framed for being the villain, The Hobgoblin, and was even hypnotized to think that he actually was the guy.
Jonah And Peter’s Identity
J.K. Simmons makes a cameo appearance in the credits to tell the world that Peter is Spider-Man. For the completely uninitiated, Simmons play J. Jonah Jameson in all three of the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies.
His appearance here marks the first time that an actor from another comic book film came to the MCU. It also finely establishes the partnership between Sony and Disney and helps to further The Spider-Verse.
Aunt May Likes It
For years, Peter’s beloved dead old Aunt May was in the dark about his superhero double life. She in fact hated that nasty Spider-Man. But in 2001’s Amazing Spider-Man # 35, she finds out the truth, and several issues later they have “The Conversation.” The movie’s version of Aunt May is vastly different. Obviously, played by Marisa Tomei, she’s nowhere near Methuselah age. But she’s also a big Spider-Fan and is all about Peter being a superhero.