Spider-Man secret is out
Peter Parker is Spider-Man. And now the whole world knows. Given Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige’s previous comments about a very different Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward, that reveal is not something that will be swept under the rug or easily retconned. The mid-credits scene of Spider-Man: Far From Home drastically alters the character’s future within the MCU and sets a storyline unlike any we’ve seen explored in Spider-Man films before, thanks to Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal)
The reveal of Spider-Man’s (Tom Holland) secret identity, just when things started to look up for him, no less, is pure Parker Luck, but they reveal also mirrors the end of Iron Man (2008). Whereas Tony Stark revealed his dual identity as Iron Man by choice, Parker has that choice taken away from him, and even worse, right after he’s been branded a villain by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons). Any notion that the next Spider-Man entry would find the character swinging into a familiar groove has been dispelled, and the story potential of a Spider-Man who can no longer retreat to Peter Parker (or vice-versa) is an exciting one. But it also raises a larger question about our superhero cinema.
Spider-Man was one of the only remaining heroes in the MCU. Has he still maintained his identity?
Even with Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow out of the picture, the identities of Black Panther, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch, and presumably Captain Marvel are all public records. While the challenges of deception that go into maintaining a secret identity have been the basis of so many superhero stories, particularly Spider-Man’s, superhero movies are largely moving away from that trope, which has allowed for more novel storytelling and honest interactions between heroes and their villains, and their romantic interests. Looking at the current state of superhero movies, and how they’ve evolved over the past decade.
Is the age of secret identities over?
Since Superman debuted in Action Comics No. 1 in 1938, secret identities have been an inherent part of the superhero formula. The powers and personalities may differ from hero to hero, but many of the questions have remained the same, even when explored through different scenarios. How can this character manage to save the world and still maintain a private life in which they can hold down a job and relationships that don’t put everyone they know in danger? It’s obviously a formula that has worked. And over the decades, creators have found numerous ways toplay with secret identities by way of false reveals, body doubles and mind-wipes.
