“It’s all connected.” This is a phrase that has been echoed by Marvel Studios since Nick Fury first uttered the words “Avengers Initiative” to Tony Stark. Eventually, not only did it cover the various film franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it extended to the House of Ideas’ library of live-action TV shows such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter, Daredevil, Runaways, and more. Although, there are definitely instances where True Believers hope that these would be even more connected.
For instance, how great would it have been to see Peter Parker team up with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes (instead of fighting against them)?
Well, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showrunner had the same thought. In a recent interview with Inverse, Malcolm Spellman revealed that he initially pitched Spider-Man’s involvement in the latest Disney+ series from Marvel. However, the powers that be kept it from happening:
“Of course! Then Kevin Feige tells you, ‘No. Stop it.’ Listen, when you first show up to these projects, in your mind you think you’re gonna get to use everybody in the MCU. But Marvel always asks, ‘Does this person belong in this story? You cannot just geek out and put all of our characters in your project because you like them. They have to occur organically.’ So Spider-Man did not make it.”
The web-slinger’s absence was certainly justified, but not just for the reasons that Spellman stated. After all, FAWS took place six months after the events of Avengers: Endgame. That would mean that Peter and his classmates were likely in Europe already for their class trip (as seen in Spider-Man: Far From Home) when the Flag Smashers showdown happened in New York City.
And though he’d probably want to check in with the new Captain America when he gets back to the States, he’ll probably have his hands full in Spider-Man: No Way Home with the fallout from his battle with Mysterio and J. Jonah Jameson’s shocking revelation to the world. But knowing how things have gone in the MCU so far, there’s probably a good chance that the wall-crawler will need to assemble with his super friends at some point in the future.
What do you think about Spider-Man being left out of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier? Were there any other cameos that you wish could’ve been included in the series? And how do you think Peter Parker will feel about the latest Star Spangled Man? Let us know in the comments.
