STACK #180 Oct 2019

MR. MYSTERIO

When an elemental water monster emerges from the canals in Venice to wreak havoc and spoil Peter Parker’s European vacation, a mysterious Dr. Strange-like newcomer in a cape and goldfish bowl helmet suddenly shows up to save the city. He’s Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio, who claims to come from a parallel Earth and is hellbent on revenge against the Elementals who destroyed his world and have now migrated to ours. “Mysterio is a fascinating villain in the comics, so depicting him here as a hero is definitely something we haven’t seen before,” says director JonWatts. “The idea of Spider-Man, Mysterio, and Nick Fury teaming up to take on this global menace was really exciting to us.” On casting Jake Gyllenhaal as the Spider-Verse’s new hero, Watts says, “We needed someone who could easily slip into the role of a superhero and, possibly, the world’s next lead Avenger. We knew Jake could carry that weighty responsibility.” The director adds that he wanted to depict Beck as a friend and a “cool uncle” to Peter. “Beck, who feels like a stranger in a strange land, sees Peter as a potential ally and teammate. At the same time, Beck realises that Peter is also a dorky teen who’d rather be on this big field trip and vacation than save the world.”

Director JohnWatts withTom Holland

Homecoming . Reversing Thanos’s snap, which had turned half the universe to dust, cost Tony Stark his life while saving billions

never before seen in a Spider-Man movie. It’s the complete package.” Mirroring the challenge Peter faces in his new role as an Avenger, Watts and everyone

of others – including Peter Parker, who now wants to return to his life as a normal high schooler. “In the previous film,

connected with the film felt a huge responsibility to do right by the character and to the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. “We hope we’ve delivered something that’s fun, exciting and moving and gives audiences something they haven’t experienced

It’s funny, joyful, epic and emotional... the complete package

Spider-Man: Homecoming , Peter wanted the life of an adult, but now he wants to hang onto his youth,” says returning director Jon Watts. “This film is about the world telling him, ‘It’s time for you to step up.’ Everyone is looking for a new superhero and saviour – the next Tony Stark. Tony seemed to have chosen Peter, but the world doesn’t realise he’s a 16-year-old.” “Peter definitely wants to be a regular teenager again,” confirms star Tom Holland. “He can’t wait to take a break and go on a vacation with his friends. But he soon realises that deep down he always knew – that, no matter where Peter finds himself, he belongs in the Spider-Man suit.” Recapturing the freewheeling teen spirit of Homecoming , Far from Home delivers on its title, taking Peter/Spider-Man out of his comfort zone to Venice and Prague, where he must once again save his friends –and the world – from a monstrous threat, and overcome his internal struggle to become an Avengers-level hero. “ Spider-Man: Far From Home is about coming to terms with what you must do – and that moment in life where you choose the person you’re going to be,” says producer Amy Pascal. “It’s funny, joyful, epic and emotional – a gigantic action movie where you experience Peter doing things you’ve

before,” says the director. “ Spider-Man: Homecoming was about Peter showing the world what he could do, and that’s how Tom and I felt about our work on it. Spider-Man: From Home is about the world asking Spider-Man, ‘What’s next?’ and to have him step up and prove himself, just like Tom and I knew we had to step up and deliver with the film.” Holland concludes that while Far From Home is more fun than Homecoming , the stakes are much higher and it’s more personal this

• Spider-Man: Far from Home is out on Oct 23

time. “With this film, we’re going bigger, but there’s always a character or story- based reason for the heightened scale and stakes. It’s bigger and better in every way possible.”

F U R T H E R V I E W I N G . . .

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