Spider-Man: No Way Home star Jacob Batalon shares his emotional reaction to being part of the MCU and potentially saying goodbye to his character Ned Leeds after Spidey's most recent outing. Releasing late in 2021, Spider-Man: No Way Home not only closed the narrative arcs of Tom Holland's first trilogy as Marvel's web-swinging icon, but also culminated in the joining of three generations worth of the titular character. To the delights of moviegoers, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield both reprized their roles as different iterations of Spider-Man, allying with Holland to face off against fellow franchise veterans Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx.
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Though it was not only the heroes of an older on-screen generation that aided Holland's Spidey in his biggest test yet, but also Batalon's wise-cracking and magically gifted best-friend Ned, alongside the equally bold and resourceful Michelle "MJ" Jones played by Zendaya. This triad of the titular hero backed up by his unwaveringly loyal companions was already one of the more popular in the MCU; making them part of the wider arcs of returning characters from previously beloved generations of the comic-book movie genre only increased this popularity. However, after the emotional ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home, in which the entire world's memory of Peter Parker was erased, it is yet to be seen whether the trio will ever reunite.
Speaking with Collider, Batalon reveals his emotional reaction to having shared Spider-Man's MCU journey with his co-stars. Equally, he shares his thoughts on a potential on-screen return for Ned in the future. See what the star had to say below:
We all very much were crying, our last day of work. Even at the premiere, we were all crying. It was such a beautiful experience to be a part of, I think for all of us. We started at a very young age, being teenagers, essentially, when we started the first movie. And to really watch the arc of the movies come together and all of our characters come full circle, I would say that it was crazy. It was a crazy thing to read. It was crazy to see Andrew and Tobey in the script. It was crazy to have all the villains in the script. And then, to have it end the way it did, on such a cliffhanger, obviously, everyone wasn't expecting that. I would say that it's such a poignant ending to our movies. It really puts an exclamation on the continuance of Spider-Man, but maybe not with us, and I think that's a great thing. We may not necessarily be a part of it, in the end, but it was a beautiful ride anyway.
I feel like actors are the last people to know. I think that people assume that actors are always hiding secrets. I promise you, we don't know anything. But again, if it's the right place, at the right time, with the right group of people that we've been with, I would say, why not? But other than that, whatever happens, happens. Really, those decisions are up to the big bosses, the people who sign the checks. We're open to the idea, but we're not hoping for it.
Will Ned & MJ Return In MCU Spider-Man 4?
While it hasn't been officially added to the release calendar yet, Kevin Feige confirmed the MCU's Spider-Man 4 is in development, with Holland being eyed to reprise the titular role again. Sony is expecting director Jon Watts and Zendaya to return for Spider-Man 4 as well, but nothing's been confirmed. Given the success of the Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, it's understandable why the studio would be interested in keeping the core team intact. Holland's chemistry with Batalon and Zendaya served as the emotional core of Spider-Man's solo MCU outings, and viewers would enjoy seeing them onscreen again. However, a quick reunion between the three would run the risk of undoing Spider-Man: No Way Home's poignant ending. As Batalon notes, No Way Home's conclusion could allow for more Spider-Man adventures with a different supporting cast. A Spider-Man 4 could still be a ways off however, as Marvel makes its way through the Multiverse Saga.
Regardless of whether Batalon does return to the franchise, the star clearly shares an affection for Spider-Man with viewers. His emotional reaction to being part of not only one narrative arc coming perfectly to a close, but also doing so alongside the re-introduction of previously beloved icons of the titular role, was a reaction certainly felt throughout audiences upon the latest film's finale. If nothing else were to materialize for Batalon personally, his love for the experience he shared with his Marvel colleagues is evident. Time will tell what will become of Spider-Man in the MCU after Spider-Man: No Way Home, but everyone can appreciate the cathartic closure of that film's ending.