At this point we’re running low on pseudo-creative ways to spin the fact that Spider-Man: Homecoming has a big cast, so we’ll just come out and say it: Spider-Man: Homecoming has a big cast. How are they possibly going to fit everyone in?
Apparently Marvel doesn’t share our concerns though, as another new character has been added in the form of the the Tinkerer (and presumably his civilian alias of Phineas Mason too), who will be played by Michael Chernus.
Having played Piper (Taylor Schilling)’s brother in Orange Is The New Black, as well as having roles in films like Men In Black 3, Captain Phillips and The Bourne Legacy, he’s a familiar and reliable choice – and another indication of the MCU’s commitment to de-aging its Spidey universe occupants, since his character is an old man in the comics.
In any case, his inclusion makes sense. Judging by the concept art we’ve seen, new villain the Vulture (Michael Keaton) will be wearing a tech-based flying suit, which is where the Tinkerer comes in, his job description being to design weaponry and costumes for a colourful array of villains in the comic books.
Occasionally he has entered the fray himself, but generally he’s happy enough to just make the equipment and sit back while the mayhem unfolds arround him. Occasionally, depictions have painted him as a more sympathetic character with a family, but we’re confident he’ll remain firmly in mercenary mode here.
Chernus joins a cast that already includes Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Michael Keaton as the Vulture, Zendaya as Michelle, Tony Revolori as Flash Thompson, Laura Harrier as Liz Allan, Jacob Batalon as Ned and Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/Iron Man, as well as Martin Starr, Angourie Rice, Logan Marshall-Green, Donald Glover, Hannibal Buress, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, Abraham Attah and many more.
Spider-Man: Homecoming will be released in cinemas on 7 July 2017. You can download The 25 Greatest Marvel Comics digital edition from GreatDigitalMags.com now. For more news about the biggest movies, pick up the new issue of SciFiNow.
