A Possible Reason Why Spider-Man: Homecoming Is Changing the Race of Characters

Selenis Leyva's connection to the Jackal and the Tinkerer

Assuming that the call sheet for SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING was really taken from the set, then the majority of characters in that scene are being played by visible minorities. See Selenis Leyva below:

Image copied from Zimbio.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

The call sheet says that she's playing "Ms. Warren". There's a "Mr. Warren" in the Spider-verse:

Image copied from marvunapp.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!



Hardcore fans of the comics probably know that "Mr. Warren" is actually 2 different characters who were both teachers. Raymond Warren was the high school science teacher who introduced Peter Parker to the Tinkerer. His brother Miles Warren taught at Empire State University. Eventually Miles became a villain known as the Jackal, after his obsession with Gwen Stacy turned him into a nut when he wasn't able to handle her death.


Recently Deadline confirmed that the Tinkerer will appear in SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. Will Selenis Leyva's character "Ms. Warren" be the reason why Peter Parker and the Tinkerer cross paths?

In the comics, Miles Warren's wife is dead, and Raymond Warren is single. But here are some possibilities:

• Selenis Leyva's character is "Ms. Warren", not "MISS Warren". She could be married to the professor who will eventually become the Jackal. If this happens, then SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING doesn't need a Raymond Warren. Also, this could mean that Gwen Stacy is guaranteed for the sequels.
• Selenis Levya's character could be a female Jackal in the sequels. Maybe the movies are going to turn both "Mr. Warrens" into Selenis's character. Maybe there is no Gwen obsession later.
• Selenis Leyva's character could be the sister or sister-in-law of the Jackal. She replaces Raymond Warren.

Jacob Batalon's connection to Flash, "Jason (M)", the Jackal, and the Hobgoblin

Here's Jacob Batalon, who was confirmed to be playing Ned Leeds, just like the call sheet indicates:

Image copied from JustJared.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

Here's original recipe Ned Leeds:

Image copied from SpiderFan.org; I don't own the rights to this picture!



I chose this picture of Ned with Betty Brant because I think it explains why Angourie Rice is playing a younger "Betty Brandt" with a D. In the comics, Ned worked with Peter Parker and Betty Brant (no D) at the Daily Bugle. Ned and Peter competed for Betty, but Ned won in the end and married Betty. From the picture above, you can tell that their marriage had problems.


I think that Marvel isn't going to couple Ned Leeds and Betty Brandt together like their comic counterparts. The advantages are:

• Betty Brandt can still work for the Daily Bugle.
• Ned Leeds can still be brainwashed by the Hobgoblin.

Ned was actually part of a storyline where the Jackal made clones of Spider-Man and the object of his obsession, Gwen Stacy. That could happen in a SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING sequel, since there are clues that the Jackal will be in the movies. Also, Marvel may have all of the players ready for a Hobgoblin story. When Ned gets brainwashed by the Hobgoblin, he could seek help from Flash Thompson. Betty doesn't have to have an affair with Flash.


We're not sure who "Jason (M)" is supposed to be yet, but what if he turns out to be Jason Macendale, Jr, also known as the Jack O' Lantern / the next Hobgoblin? "Jason (M)" could be important to Ned and Flash's future story in the movies.

Abraham Attah's possible connection to Black Cat  

Here's Abraham Attah, who is supposedly playing "Abraham (M)":

Image copied from OMGVoice.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

Some people are guessing that Abraham is actually playing Miles Morales, the boy who becomes Spider-Man after Peter Parker died. Also, there's speculation that Donald Glover's character is Miles Morales. I don't think either case is impossible, but I don't think they're likely because:

• Peter Parker is just getting started, but theoretically, he would have to die in a SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING sequel.
• Miles's best friend Ganke is probably being blended with Ned Leeds.

I think Abraham's character could be based on Abraham Whistler. See below:

Image copied from Spiderman-Animated.wikia.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

This may sound crazy, but what if "Abraham (M)" is the same Abraham Whistler who mentored Blade?

Image copied from Newsrama.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

Image copied from Pinterest.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

Could we see Morbius in a future sequel of SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING?

Image copied from Marvel.Wikia.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

In Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Michael Morbius met Peter Parker in college, before he was turned into a vampire. He had a crush on Felicia Hardy, also known as Black Cat. She wasn't interested at first, but fell in love with Morbius over time. The possibilities are endless if Abraham Attah's character has anything to do with a vampire storyline:

• Abraham Attah's character could be Blade himself. In the future, he could join forces with Peter Parker to fight Morbius and save Felicia Hardy. We would also get to see Black Cat on screen.
• Abraham could be a younger version of Jamal Afari, the man who trained Blade to hunt vampires in the comics. Since Abraham Whistler never appeared in the comics, it's possible that Abraham Attah could be playing a boy named "Abraham Afari". That name comes from blending Whistler and Jamal Afari into 1 character.

What do Selenis Leyva, Jacob Batalon, and Abraham Attah have to do with the title of this post?

By casting Selenis Leyva as Ms. Warren, she's not just any old high school teacher of Cuban descent. Selenis's character will probably impact the story of SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING and its sequels.


Since Jacob Batalon was cast as Ned Leeds, he's not just any old side kick of Peter Parker's with a Hawaiian background. His story will matter later down the line.


If Abraham Attah turns out to be connected to Morbius and Black Cat, then he won't just be the Ghanaian boy in the background of the cast. He could end up playing a significant part in future battles.


Some people are saying that minorities shouldn't be cast in traditionally white comic character roles, because there are plenty of minority characters already written into the Marvel Universe:

• N'Kantu the Living Mummy
• Sun Girl
• Joe Robertson

I've never heard of them, either.


For some people, "diversity" means having 1 character like this:

Instead of SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING creating actual opportunities for a cast that reflects reality.


I think that Marvel is actually being very calculated about the characters that they're changing. All of the characters explored in this post needed to be retconned:

• "Mr. Warren" is technically 2 different people. Marvel has to pick a direction with 1 character, or possibly blend the characters together.
• "Ned Leeds" was abusive to Betty Brant, but he's got good story potential because of the Hobgoblin. Marvel could've avoided him altogether, or they could've erased the relationship with Betty Brant.
• Who is "Abraham"? Maybe he's Abraham Whistler, but that character isn't in the comics. Maybe he's Jamal Afari, but that character is older than Blade. If Marvel sees potential for Blade, Morbius, and Black Cat in the future, then they have to decide on where the story starts.

Giving struggling characters an overhaul can include changes to race. Why not?

I don't see anything wrong with breathing new life into characters that could use the boost. Nick Fury became a name that non-comic fans recognize, when he was modeled after Samuel L. Jackson.


Laura Harrier and Tony Revolori are exciting casting choices. In an accurate portrayal of interracial dating, will Peter be nervous about approaching a black girl at first? When Mary Jane shows up, I wonder if Liz is going to be her friend or a rival. Flash has got to know that Liz is out of his league. Does Flash bully Peter because he's insecure about Liz, and maybe under pressure from his family to excel at school?


Maybe the potential high school dynamics wouldn't be as interesting, if Peter's school looked like an episode of Friends.

Mary Jane Watson doesn't need a character overhaul

Actually, for once, we need an accurate portrayal of Mary Jane:

Image copied from SufferStreetTheatre.com; I don't own the rights to this picture!

I'm not arguing to save the best characters for white actors, and toss the weaker characters to actors of color. I don't believe that SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING is handing out token roles, either. Sony and Marvel have done a great job of casting so far. I think that Midtown-High-meets-John-Hughes-in-2017 is going to be amazing and relatable.


But what purpose does it serve if Mary Jane gets turned into the "weird" girl? Changing Liz Allan to a black character doesn't mess with her personality. Changing Flash doesn't stop him from dating Liz or being a bully. Changing Ned saves him and Betty from their fate in the comics.


Marvel hasn't grossly misinterpreted a comic character yet that I know of. "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man 2" were well done by Sam Raimi, but Marvel took over and knocked casting out of the park with Tom Holland. The concept art for SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING is spectacular. This costume gives me goosebumps:


Image copied from ComingSoon.net; I don't own the rights to this picture!

I believe that no matter who they pick for Mary Jane, she will be right for the part, and the audience will love her. So far Marvel seems to be doing everything right, but I'd love to hear your opinion.


Sincerely,


A Comic Girl