Spider-Man: No Way Home star, Jacob Batalon, accidentally took his girlfriend to set on Toby Maguire and Andrew Garfield's first day. Batalon first joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Parker's (Tom Holland) best friend, Ned Leeds, in the popular film, Spider-Man: Homecoming. He reprised the role for both Spider-Man sequel films and the Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Released in 2021, Spider-Man: No Way Home proved immensely popular with audiences, despite partial pandemic-related restrictions on many theaters still in place. The film pulled in over $1.9 billion at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of the year, and the sixth highest-grossing film of all time. The popularity of the film was bolstered by the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, the actors who previously portrayed Spider-Man in the Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy and the Marc Webb Amazing Spider-Man films. The not-so-well-kept secret remained hidden from promotional material prior to the film's release with actors lying about Maguire and Garfield's return, although leaked footage of Garfield showed the actor on set.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
While on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Batalon revealed that he accidentally took his girlfriend to set on Maguire and Garfield's first day filming Spider-Man: No Way Home. The actor shared that she met Maguire and instantly became confused at his presence but then had to carry the secret of his involvement for years. Read what Batalon said below:
"This is actually really funny but my girlfriend, I brought her on to visit work once and it was inadvertently when Tobey and Andrew first came. I had introduced her to Tobey and she was like, 'Wait. Why is this Spider-Man on your Spider-Man?' And I was like, 'Baby, it's like a really big secret. So don't say nothing.' She's not a big fan but she obviously loves Spider-Man. I think that she was going to tell her dad. Just like out of nowhere. And I had to stop her. But her dad wasn't going to say anything, I just feel like she's not used to this world, obviously."
"So she sat on it for a year and a half. She knew the secret everyone wanted to know. Shout out to her. She definitely got to know [Maguire and Garfield] really quick."
Will Batalon Return in the MCU?
Batalon's girlfriend was shocked to see Maguire in the film but clearly understood the implication of such a secret. Although she almost told her father, she managed to hold on to it for over a year until Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters. However, despite the studio's best efforts, the secret was already out in the world with the behind-the-scenes Garfield footage leaked as well as a trailer that clearly digitally removed one a hero.
Spider-Man: No Way Home was a satisfying conclusion for an early chapter in Parker's life. After managing to close the rift between the multiverses, Parker was left alone, with his Aunt May dead and his friends oblivious of his existence, but now a superhero reborn. Although Spider-Man will likely be returning in the future, it is unclear if Ned would return as well. When previously asked about the possibility, the actor claimed he was open to it if the opportunity ever presented itself but did not confirm that there were any plans set for his further MCU involvement. Although Parker said his goodbyes to Ned in Spider-Man: No Way Home, there is still a chance that Batalon may reprise his role in the future.