Fan expectation has proven a double-edged sword of late, both helping and hurting projects that otherwise might have received better receptions had fans not gone down Reddit and social media rabbit holes.
This is especially true of Marvel’s fandom. From the “WandaVision” finale not including Doctor Strange or Reed Richards to constant rumors about X-Men characters showing up in essentially every Marvel work coming out, there seems to be consistent setup for disappointment.
Yet, as the “Loki” finale showed, sometimes those rumors can pay off a bit and so they keep coming. Case in point is the upcoming “Spider-Man: No Way Home” which has continually seen rumors of the involvement of Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Charlie Cox among others in roles in the multiverse-spanning story.
Maguire hasn’t discussed the film at all, but both Garfield and Cox have previously denied their involvement and have done so again this week. Speaking with Variety, Garfield admits the idea is exciting but again denies his involvement even as he knows whatever he says won’t be believed by some fans:
“I understand why people are freaking out about the concept of that because I’m a fan as well. You can’t help but imagine scenes and moments of ‘Oh, my God, how f–king cool would it be if they did that?’. But it’s important for me to say on the record that this is not something I’m aware I am involved in. But I know I’m not going to be able to say anything that will convince anyone that I don’t know what’s happening. No matter what I say, I’m f–ked. It’s either going to be really disappointing for people or it’s going to be really exciting.”
Cox meanwhile has laughed over the recent speculation that his forearms could be seen in the recent ‘No Way Home’ trailer – a belief that was shattered when the IMAX version of the trailer revealed it was a different actor.
Cox is rumored to be reprising his role of “Daredevil” lead Matt Murdock in the film. However whilst out promoting his new film “Kin,” Cox tells Irish Examiner that it was impossible as he was essentially in lockdown in Ireland shooting “Kin” – even as the rumors got so pervasive both his friends members of the crew believed it:
“There was a fan on the Kin crew. I came to work one day, and the rumour had come out that I was filming in Atlanta, and he asked me like it was a sensible question, and I was like, ‘I’ve been here every day with you, on set’ but I think he was so hopeful that he still was like, ‘Is it true?’; I had to say to him, ‘How would it be true? Even if I had a few days off, we’re in the middle of a pandemic. I’m not allowed to fly anywhere. What are you talking about?’ Did he think Captain America came to get me?”
Both actors go on in the interviews to express gratefulness for playing their characters, with their fondness for the roles having increased with time now that both have a few years removal from when they last played them.
“Spider-Man: No Way Home” arrives in cinemas in December.
