Robert Downey Jr. gives Spider-Man: Homecoming high praise

Robert Downey Jr. compares his experience working on the set of the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming to Marvel’s 2008 hit Iron Man.

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures may have another earth-shattering hit on their hands. Recently, Robert Downey Jr. compared the upcoming Spider-Man reboot to the one that started it all, Jon Favreau’s Iron Man.

“Being back with Tom Holland and Jon Favreau … reminded me of that kind of first Iron Man experience,” said Downey, recalling the film that started the famous Marvel Cinematic Universe nine years ago. The next entry in the MCU is director Jon Watts’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. 

The newest Spider-Man title stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker, and follows the friendly neighborhood web-slinger after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Homecoming will also feature Michael Keaton as classic nemesis The Vulture, Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favreau (reprising their roles as Tony Stark and Happy Hogan), Zendaya, Donald Glover, Tyne Daly, and Marissa Tomei.

Of course, Robert Downey Jr.’s comparison invites speculation as to the similarities between Iron Man and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Will the newest Peter Parker give fresh blood to the highest-grossing film franchise of all time?

We forget just how humble the now-titanic Marvel Cinematic Universe started out. Iron Man earned unexpected commercial and critical praise, following critical flops Ghost Rider, Spider-Man 3, and the Fantastic Four sequel of which we do not speak. Even more surprising is the fact that Iron Man was mostly unscripted.

Nine years and fourteen movies later, the MCU has fallen into a comfort zone where most recent entries feel stale and homogeneous. There are exceptions of course (looking at you, Guardians of the Galaxy), but in light of the recent wild success of their competition, Marvel needs to step its game up.

Who better to revive the franchise than Spider-Man, possibly the most iconic superhero in Marvel’s canon? Not only will we not have to see Spider-Man’s origin story for the bazillionth time, but senior Avenger Tony Stark will have a “pivotal” role in mentoring the young Peter Parker. Given the juggernaut of Iron Man‘s success, let’s hope that Robert Downey Jr.’s blessing is actually a prophecy of acclaim.

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Spider-Man: Homecoming will be released on July 7, 2017.