Spider-Man: Homecoming wants Michael Keaton for its villain

If early reaction to Captain America: Civil War is anything to go by, audiences are going to be chomping at the bit for Spider-Man's upcoming solo film - which we now know is titled Spider-Man: Homecoming- once they get a look at Tom Holland's new webslinger in action. The final pieces of the Jon Watts directed reboot are coming into place, and some new info suggests the villain is close to being cast.

Variety is reporting that Michael Keaton is in early talks to play the villain in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Exactly who the baddie is remains under wraps, but if Birth Movies Death's recent report is anything to go by it might be Vulture (which, when you look at the picture below, makes total sense...).

Of course, Keaton is no stranger to comic book films; the actor famously starred as Batman in both Tim Burton movies, and while Birdman wasn't a superhero movie it had lots of interesting things to say about the genre.

Should Keaton sign on the dotted line, he would join the small group of actors who have played iconic DC and Marvel characters. It would be a big win for Marvel and Sony too; Keaton has been at the top of his game of late with films like Birdman and Spotlight, and whether it's Vulture or another of Spidey's rogues it would be really interesting to see what he brings to a villainous role.

Directed by Jon Watts and starring Tom Holland, Marisa Tomei, and Zendaya, Spider-Man: Homecoming will swing into cinemas on July 7, 2017.

Images: Warner Bros./Fox Searchlight Pictures

Amon is a contributing editor and columnist for Empire magazine, but is also a Film and TV writer for GamesRadar+, Total Film, and others. He has also written for NME, Composer Mag, and more, along with being a film critic for TalkSport. He is also the co-host of the Fade to Black Podcast, and a video mashup creator. Can also do a pretty good Bane impersonation.