How ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Teases Miles Morales’ Existence In The MCU

Miles Morales finally exists in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Well, probably. The beloved web slinger’s uncle showed up in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and even made a subtle reference about Peter’s future successor.

When trying to figure out where Vulture’s (Michael Keaton) arms deal is going down, Peter (Tom Holland) interrogates Aaron Davis (Donald Glover). The 15-year-old isn’t nearly threatening enough, but Aaron gives Spider-Man the information he needs. Aaron notes that the weapons are too powerful, and he doesn’t want them in the neighborhood that his nephew is growing up in.

The reference to his nephew is an Easter egg for comic book readers. Fans of Marvel’s Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man know that Aaron Davis, also known as the Prowler, is the criminal uncle of Miles Morales. The half-Latino half-black superhero takes over for Peter as Spider-Man.

READ: “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Post-Credits Scenes Explained

While Donald Glover’s scene doesn’t exactly confirm that we’ll see Miles Morales in the MCU, it strongly hints at it. Conveniently, Aaron doesn’t say how young his nephew is, so it could be years before fans see him. However, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has said previously that he sees Miles joining the MCU eventually.

“I mean, we always thought it should be Peter because we’ve never seen the MCU version of Peter Parker,” Feige told MTV in April 2015. “It felt like we needed to see that first. Miles, I think is awesome. I think there are opportunities for him for sure if this all works.”

With early box office estimates for opening weekend at about $117 million, it’s safe to say that “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” the first team up for Sony and Marvel Studios, definitely works.

READ: All The Marvel Cinematic Universe Movies Coming After “Spider-Man: Homecoming”

It isn’t just the Miles Morales hint that makes audiences happy, though. Having Glover in the scene that hints at Miles’ existence is a nice nod to fans. Several years ago, right before Sony cast Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, there was an online campaign to make the “Community” star play Miles. Though he never played the character on the big screen, Glover voiced Miles in Disney XD’s animated series, “Ultimate Spider-Man.”

“Spider-Man: Homecoming” director Jon Watts revealed that it was his idea to cast Glover. Watts has known the “Atlanta” star for many years since his wife Dianne McGunigle is Glover’s manager.

“One of the very first things I said to Kevin [Feige] when I got the job was, ‘We’ve got to put Donald Glover in this movie. I don’t know who he’s going to be, or what he’s going to do, but we have to figure out a way,’” Watts recalled to the Los Angeles Times. “He said, ‘Yes — absolutely.’”

Though “Spider-Man: Homecoming” already has a sequel set for July 2019, Watts noted that he wasn’t sure if Miles would appear in the movie. Details for the movie have yet to be worked out. “I have no idea what’s happening beyond this movie at this point,” Watts added, “but that would be so cool.”

It isn’t clear if Aaron Davis will return either. While Glover’s future in the MCU is uncertain, the Golden Globe winner is sticking with the comic book giant. He is executive producing “Marvel’s Deadpool,” an adult animated series for FXX.