Russo Brothers Discuss Tony Stark’s Mentor Relationship With Peter Parker

Come 2017, Jon Watts’ and Co. will be staging a Homecoming that had been long on the cards, even if few believed it would ever become a reality. It’s an event that Marvel will have final say over, too, and in anticipation of Tom Holland headlining next year’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, Civil War directors Joe and Anthony Russo touched base on the mentor relationship that they’ve fostered between Peter Parker and Tony Stark.


Now that Robert Downey Jr. is confirmed to appear in Watts’ solo movie, the Russo brothers teased the ways in which Stark and Parker’s budding relationship will continue into next year’s Homecoming. Talking to IGN, here’s what the co-directors had to share about introducing Spider-Man to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and what it took to ensure that they nailed a younger rendition of Peter Parker.


“I think Downey is officially signed on now to Spider-Man: Homecoming, and I think that’s what so fun about it. That’s what’s different in terms of this interpretation of Spider-Man. Two things: one, is that we cast an actor who is very close in age to a high schooler. Tom is really the first young actor to portray the part, and he has an incredible vulnerability and a certain confidence married together that create this very youthful and exciting character. Two, the other thing that’s compelling is he’s now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he can interact with the characters in that universe. I think that this mentor relationship that Tony has developed with Peter Parker is probably one of the most interesting things the universe has moving forward.”


Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield portrayed slightly older versions of Parker, the Russo brothers went on to say that Marvel intends to keep our wide-eyed protagonist in high school for the foreseeable future. That’ll not only ensure Holland can maintain his overly-enthusiastic and jittery performance, but it’ll allow Stark to help foster Spidey’s development as the cool uncle – from the slick new suits to skipping homework for a trip to Berlin.


Moviegoers will be able to get their first glimpse of Team Iron Man in action with Captain America: Civil War, before Tony Stark’s mentor role continues into Spider-Man: Homecoming on July 7, 2017.