Will Ned Leeds dress up as a villain in the new Spider-Man episode? The actor shares his insights.
Have you ever thought that Peter Parker’s unconditional friend Ned Leeds is one of the most feared villains in the Spider-Man universe? Jacob Batalon, who has played Ned since his MCU debut, talks about the constant rumors linking him to the legendary Hobgoblin and how it feels to work with icons like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.
Jacob Batalon was a key figure in the rebirth of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). With the recent confirmation of the fourth Spider-Man, fans are eager to know what the future holds for the character, especially in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Take a look at the complex history of Ned Leeds
Comic fans know that Ned Leeds and the Hobgoblin share a complex and chaotic history. At first, Roderick Kingsley is a man hiding behind an evil mask, but Ned is once brainwashed into wearing this dark cloak, causing a lot of trouble for Spider-Man. Now, after the events of No Way Home where Ned forgot about Peter Parker, Marvel might find a way to turn this friendly character into a new antagonist.
Concept art revealed that the idea of turning Ned into a hobgoblin was briefly considered during production of No Way Home. But what does Jacob Batalon think about this opportunity? “I’m not really sure,” he admitted in an interview with CBR. “We’ve talked about a lot, it’s true, but I don’t know if anything serious will come of being a villain.
Opportunities to see Hobgoblin in action
Although the possibility of Ned being a Hobgoblin seems far-fetched, if the villain does appear, Kingsley would be the most logical candidate to torment the wall-crawler. Batalon performed his magic in No Way Home, a last-minute change following the loss of America’s Chavez character due to a release date adjustment.
Batalon commented on his future in the MCU: “I’m open to anything, and I think we’re all open to anything. Unless you’re a big hero doing a movie, you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Memories of stellar collaboration
In another interview with ComicBook, Batalon shared his experience working with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, revealing the magic of sharing the scene with them. “I think everyone on the set knew it was something very special,” Batalon said. “It’s never been done before. We felt the importance of the moment, but we kept it simple, especially since we were working in the middle of the pandemic, and we were grateful to be there.
Reflecting on that time and the scene he shared at Midtown High with the three Peter Parkers, Batalon said: “Andrew and Toby are incredible, so it was a real joy. It seems like one of those moments that people talk about for a long time.
In addition to the return of the Hobgoblin, fans are speculating about other villains who may appear in Spider-Man 4. One of the most talked about theories is the integration of Kraven the Hunter, the hunt that Spider-Man might be obsessed with. For a fresh and interesting take on the saga, it will also have its own film later this year. Another candidate is Mysterio, whose supposed death in Spider-Man: Far From Home could be another incarnation of him, leaving the door open for a spectacular comeback full of new tricks.