Why Spider-Man 4’s MCU Crossover Character Should Be Johnny Storm

Following Sony and Marvel’s tradition of having a prominent MCU character crossing over studios in each Spider-Man film, Spider-Man 4, starring Tom Holland’s version of the character, should feature Johnny Storm. Already a box-office hit even for non-pandemic standards, Spider-Man: No Way Home represented both a conclusion to the first three movies and the perfect setup for an all-new trilogy. While details about the next installment in the series are still a mystery, both Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal have implied that Sony and Marvel will continue to jointly develop the Spider-Man films. As the Fantastic Four prepares to make its MCU debut, the Human Torch may be the perfect option for a role in the sequel.

From Spider-Man: Homecoming to No Way Home, each MCU Spider film has featured one or more characters from the Marvel universe. A direct result of Sony and Marvel’s collaboration, that creative decision has made it possible for Spider-Man to interact with other MCU icons such as Tony Stark, Nick Fury, and Doctor Strange. While the next film in the Spider-Man series will be the start of a new chapter in the character’s journey, there is nothing to say that Marvel and Sony will not carry on their crossover tradition.

At the end of No Way Home, Peter finds himself lonelier than he has ever been. With the entire planet having forgotten his existence, Parker heads towards college with nothing but Spider-Man in his life. This scenario perfectly sets up what is being called the “college trilogy,” in which Peter will have to face the challenges of adulthood without the support of other friends and heroes as before. In that context, one of the first new friends that Parker can make is Johnny Storm, who is usually portrayed as being the same age as Spider-Man and has a long-friendship history with the character in the comics. Johnny could be from a classmate to a roommate of Peter, and could only later find out that Parker and Spider-Man are the same.

Spider-Man has always had a strong link to the Fantastic Four, specifically the Human Torch. Peter Parker and Johnny Storm’s friendship goes way back to Spider-Man’s first comic book issues and has endured ever since over the form of countless crossovers. In the Ultimate universe, Johnny and Peter were classmates during high school for a while. There was even a Marvel book solely focused on the duo, Spider-Man and the Human Torch, from 2005. Therefore, Johnny Storm’s presence in the next Spider-Man film would not come as a surprise.

Spider-Man and the Human Torch currently also have a behind-the-scenes connection, as MCU’S Spider-Man trilogy director Jon Watts will direct the Fantastic Four reboot. Watts could be the perfect bridge between the two franchises as he most likely will still have a production credit in the following Spider films. Less likely, Peter Parker himself could show up in the new Fantastic Four as a homage to their decades-old interactions in the comics.

Marvel and Sony’s tradition of MCU characters joining the Spider-Man films have made for many exciting crossovers, and there is no better pick for the next one than Johnny Storm. The Human Torch’s presence in the Spider-Man 4 film would be not only a tribute to years of comics legacy but also a set up of what could be one of MCU’s most interesting friendships going forward. Therefore, the solution for Peter’s loneliness after No Way Home could be in the Baxter Building.

About The Author

Marcelo Leite
(194 Articles Published)

Marcelo Leite is a senior writer for Screen Rant with years of experience in creative and academic writing. Although his chosen field was structure engineering, there is nothing he likes better than writing about the things he loves.

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