Vulture actor Michael Keaton provides Screen Rant an update on the Spider-Man villain's potential return to the MCU. Michael Keaton made his MCU debut in Spider-Man: Homecoming as Adrian Toomes a.k.a. Vulture — Spider-Man's first full-fledged supervillain enemy in the MCU. After Vulture was sent to prison, the multiversal rift opened by Doctor Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home's final battle accidentally transported Vulture to Sony's Spider-Man Universe, where Toomes met Michael Morbius — as seen in Morbius' post-credits scene, which set up an eventual team-up between both villains.
Speaking to Screen Rant about his upcoming movie Goodrich, Michael Keaton reveals that he hasn't "talked to anybody about anything" regarding Vulture's return. Keaton doesn't explicitly deny the possibility of a new appearance in the MCU or Sony's Spider-Man Universe, but confirms he hasn't been in talks with the studios recently. Read Michael Keaton's full comments below:
Screen Rant: Michael, Amy Pascal's a producer on this film, and she also produced you in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Now that Spider-Man 4 has found its director in Destin Daniel Cretton, have you spoken to Amy or Kevin Feige about reprising your role as the best Spider-Man cinematic villain, Adrian Toomes, or The Vulture?
Michael Keaton: Oh, wow. That's an interesting character, that guy. Actually, I was there for a minute in the second one... That really was fun experience, but I haven't talked to anybody about anything. [In a joking tone] I try not to talk to anybody. I really don't like people.
What Michael Keaton's MCU Return Could Look Like
Michael Keaton's Vulture Needs To Travel Between Universes To Return To The MCU![Michael Keaton as the Vulture in Spider-Man Homecoming]()
It's always possible for any Marvel character — dead or alive — to return. However, Michael Keaton's Vulture has one obstacle ahead of him. Morbius' post-credits scene revealed that Vulture was sent to Sony's Spider-Man Universe, meaning that he cannot return to the MCU's Earth-616 without help. Multiversal travel is extremely difficult, as even powerful magic users like Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch must take extreme measures to gain access to other universes, and only the TVA and Kang the Conqueror's variants possess the necessary technology to travel between timelines.
Fortunately for Vulture, Spider-Man 4 will likely be a multiversal movie. Characters like Venom, Knull, and Spider-Man: No Way Home's multiversal Spider-Men could play a significant role in the sequel as they travel to Earth-616. Whatever allows them to enter the MCU's main timeline could also give Vulture a chance to go back to his original universe, possibly alongside Morbius. If Vulture returns, Spider-Man: Homecoming's forgotten post-credits scene could finally be paid off, bringing together Vulture, Scorpion, and other Spider-Man villains.
Our Take On Michael Keaton's Potential Spider-Man 4 Return
Vulture's MCU Return Is Never Off The Table
Michael Keaton reveals that he hasn't talked with the studios about Vulture's return, but that doesn't mean Vulture won't come back soon, or that he'll stay in Morbius' universe indefinitely. Marvel actors are usually very careful about secrecy, and some stars have even denied their appearances despite having filmed all their scenes for a project. If Keaton's Vulture appears in the upcoming Spider-Man 4, a different MCU movie, or any Sony production, it's likely that both the studios and the actor will try to keep it a secret until the very last second.
