Michael Keaton closing deal to play villain in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'
Michael Keaton is back in the spider's web.
After initial talks stalled out, Keaton and Marvel Studios are in final negotiations for the Oscar-nominated actor to take on the villain role in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Marvel/Sony's initial overtures towards Keaton didn't get past the offer stage, insiders tell The Hollywood Reporter. The companies then moved on to other actors before circling back to Keaton.
Ultimately the producers returned to Keaton, the actor who once played Bruce Wayne/Batman and then poked fun of his own image of an actor living in the shadow of super hero movies with his Oscar-winning turn in Birdman.
Homecoming is Sony's reboot of its Spider-Man franchise for which it partnered with Marvel to produce. Amy Pascal and Marvel's Kevin Feige are producing the project, which is heading towards a June start with Jon Watts in the director's chair.
Tom Holland is starring as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and made his debut as the character in Captain America: Civil War, Marvel's movie that just passed passed $1 billion at the global box office.
Marisa Tomei will play Aunt May, while Zendaya is the female lead. Tony Revolori, who starred opposite Ralph Fiennes in The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Laura Harrier, who appeared in the soap opera One Life to Live, are also on board. Robert Downey Jr. will appear as Tony Stark/Iron Man.
Marvel and Sony are keeping plot and character details secret and it's unclear which Spidey villain Keaton would play.
Keaton is repped by ICM Partners and Anonymous Content.
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