What If Nick Fury Was Spider-Man’s Mentor Instead of Iron Man?

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As someone who’s been a devoted fan of Spider-Man for quite some time, I must admit that Tom Holland’s portrayal in the Marvel films has truly resonated with me. Introducing him to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Captain America: Civil War was a masterstroke, and watching him mingle with the Avengers was simply brilliant. His trilogy of standalone movies has been nothing short of fantastic in my opinion. Consequently, I’m really looking forward to Peter Parker’s next adventure in the MCU, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is one of the upcoming Marvel films I’m most excited about.

Reflecting upon the cinematic journey of Spider-Man, it’s fascinating to ponder how diverse his story could have been in Holland’s Marvel Universe if Jon Watts’ initial vision for 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” hadn’t been discarded. Rather than casting Tony Stark as the mentor, an influential Marvel character was originally intended to guide our young superhero, offering a unique dynamic that would have significantly shaped the narrative. Given this intriguing alternative concept, did Watts and Marvel Studios make the wisest choice by omitting it from Peter Parker’s first solo adventure in the MCU? Delve deeper and decide for yourself.

Nick Fury Was Going To Be Peter Parker’s “Mean Substitute Teacher”

Before the premiere of “Spider-Man: Homecoming”, director Jon Watts shared with io9 that initially, he intended to reintroduce Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, into the storyline instead of Tony Stark. He envisioned Fury working alongside Peter Parker. Later, while advertising “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, Watts elaborated more on this idea in an interview with USA Today.

A key aspect of my initial movie proposal involved introducing Nick Fury as a stern, disciplinary figure, akin to a strict substitute teacher.

In the same 2019 interview, Watts describes Stark’s relationship with Peter as being more like a “cool uncle,” while Fury is portrayed as a harsh stepfather figure to Peter. This distinct dynamic played a significant role in making “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and its sequel stand out from each other, adding an entertainingly unique touch to the films, of course.

What Does Watts Mean By “Mean Substitute Teacher”?

You know, Jon Watts’ comment about making Nick Fury Peter’s “mean substitute teacher” in Spider-Man: Homecoming actually has me a little confused. I mean, is this meant to be taken figuratively and nothing more than a way to describe the character’s more demanding approach to mentoring Peter Parker? Or does he mean it literally, like how a post by the Instagram account Marvel True Facts interprets the quote as saying Fury would have kept tabs on Peter by going undercover at his high school?

There’s no clear evidence from Watts that supports one theory over the other, but if the second hypothesis were accurate, it would have led to some hilarious high school-style mischief. Imagine Fury, a prominent figure at this stage for uniting the Avengers, attempting to pass as a teacher. I envision him undercover, wearing a short-sleeved dress shirt and tie, perhaps even a wig. I also think he would have needed a contact lens to conceal his damaged eye since the eyepatch could easily expose him.

As I ponder over it, it’s hard for me to believe that this is truly what Watts intended. The hurdles Fury might face in disguising himself as a substitute teacher without being discovered seem almost insurmountable. Moreover, an operation like this doesn’t seem like something he’d undertake, though if executed skillfully, it could have turned Homecoming into one of the most hilarious superhero films ever made.

I’m Glad Tony Stark Ended Up Being Peter’s Mentor

To summarize, regardless of Nick Fury’s original role that didn’t make it into Spider-Man: Homecoming, it seems that introducing Tony Stark was a brilliant move. This is because the progression of their relationship beyond their initial encounter in Civil War feels organic, as the experienced vigilante’s trust in Tony Stark for his battle against Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) suggested a mentor-mentee dynamic.

Moreover, Watts’ portrayal of Stark as a “cool uncle” to Peter was just the kind of adult role model the young character required during that phase in his life. Unlike the Holland version, neither the Sam Raimi movies nor 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man depicted the loss of Uncle Ben, as they had their own versions of that defining event. However, the actor’s performance subtly conveyed the impact of this tragedy on his character, and it was gratifying to see Iron Man provide him with the support he yearned for at that moment, creating a compelling dynamic between them.

Moreover, it’s worth noting that if the movie “Homecoming” hadn’t set Tony Stark up as a father figure for Peter, we may have missed the poignant, tear-jerking scene from “Avengers: Infinity War” where they share a final, emotional embrace before Thanos’ snap eliminates Spider-Man. This moment was crucial, and it paved the way for their heartfelt reunion in “Avengers: Endgame”, completing this significant MCU relationship arc.

It’s clear that Watts wanted to create a film with Nick Fury and collaborate with Samuel L. Jackson, and I can see why. However, it seemed more appropriate for the series to delay that partnership until the sequel. Moreover, it’s fair to say that the Oscar nominee effectively portrayed the “tough substitute teacher” vibe when given the chance.

Indeed, it turns out that Peter was not conversing with genuine S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury, but his Skrull ally Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), in the post-credits scene of Far From Home. However, let’s move past that detail for now. It is possible that a future superhero film will formally unite these heroes.

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2025-06-09 00:08