Trailers for any entry into the MCU gets jam packed with content to dissect and with Spider-Man: Far From Home, one specific detail caught me, Quentin Beck/Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) fights on the same side as our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Traditionally the special effects worker turned criminal has given Spidey plenty of trouble, but seeing him as a hero feels wrong. Due to Marvel’s current trend with their baddies, I have a few ideas about where Mysterio will end up.
The story we know so far is that Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) highjacks Peter’s (Tom Holland) vacation to Europe into a new adventure to face against Hydroman and the other Elementals. He gets introduced to Mysterio who has been hired by the uniter of the Avengers to help the web-slinger defeat these new foes.
Marvel has addressed their antagonist problem in a significant way with Thanos (Josh Brolin), Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), and Vulture (Michael Keaton), who have all been able to prove themselves as worthy foes and have a sympathetic backstory that makes their motivations impact the audience point of view. My thoughts here are that Mysterio will start off as a hero, but end as a criminal. Something traumatic will occur to lead him down a darker path, which leads to a loveable new character to turn down the wrong path, not only affecting Peter but the audience too.
Having a change of heart for Mysterio will become important, especially as Vulture gets reintroduced. Keaton’s excellent birdlike crook will make a return in a way that has not been shown or mentioned. The most obvious reason is to move into a Sinister Six direction. Mysterio and Vulture both tend to have significant roles in the clubhouse of supervillains, along with Shocker (Bokeem Woodbine) and Mac Gargan (Michael Mando) who eventually turns into Scorpion. Since the standalone films have consisted in threes, Spider-Man’s third journey could have the ultimate climax by facing against six of his greatest enemies, all we need is two more introductions.
Often times the leader of the Sinister Six flips between Green Goblin or Doc Ock, neither of whom have made an entrance into the MCU, yet. The Osborn storyline has been beaten to death with the Garfield and Maguire films, so going to Otto Octavius who has not made any live-action appearances since Spider-Man 2 in 2004. Tony Stark will no longer be around as Peter’s superhero guardian, introducing Otto as a new father figure could push the iconic hero into a new direction that has not been seen on film, along with the leading into his toughest challenge to take on alone.
The motivations to Mysterio could go in a different direction if the Sinister Six option becomes a reality, even without five villainous buddies, he has room to digress into a supervillain. His drive in the comics relates to frustration with the film industry and a desire to become famous, so he tries to take down Spider-Man to achieve a high level of stardom. Not a strong motive for a big screen adaption, but his ego driving him for glory could work against him by moving towards heroism then having those plans blow up in his face to corrupt his moral compass.
Another direction for his desires can stem from a falling out with either Nick or Peter. Seeing heroic men not turn out who he expected could lead Quentin Beck to a darker life. The classic story of betrayal or having different outlooks could turn Quentin into a sinister force rather than an avenging one.
Marvel has come to love their misdirection like in the trailers for Thor: Ragnarok and Infinity War. Due to how many edits were made in the third Avengers, I can no longer trust what gets shown in any preview for new entries in the MCU. No matter what trick lies waiting for audiences, I can guarantee a plan for Mysterio to go rogue will occur at some point in Far From Home.
What do you think about my ideas about Sinister Six or the lone Mysterio fighting against Nick Fury and Spider-Man? Comment any of your thoughts on my theory or your own theories below.
Header image via Marvel Studios
Tristan Zelden 