Spider-Man: Homecoming Spoilers: Why Donald Glover’s Role Is So Important

There’s a lot of exciting things about Spider-Man: Homecoming, and Donald Glover’s cameo is certainly at the top of the list for most casual fans. His role, along with Zendaya’s, has been kept tightly under wraps since day one. Way before the film was announced, fans called for the franchise to reboot with Glover as Miles Morales. Of course, that didn’t happen, but now we do know who he’s playing. If you don’t want to be spoiled, now’s the time to click away to one of our other fine articles.

Note: Confirmation of Donald Glover’s role has been removed from websites such as Screen Rant. Take this information with a grain of salt, for now.

A press junket in New York, according to Comic Book Resources, confirmed Glover is playing Aaron Davis, otherwise known as The Prowler. If you're a fan of Miles Morales, you know that there’s a connection there. Glover is playing the second version of Spider-Man's uncle. And Aaron Davis is an important part of how Morales becomes Spider-Man, too. In the comics, Miles’ uncle ends up with a radioactive spider in his bag after breaking into Oscorp labs. But it isn't Davis who gets bitten, it’s Morales, which leads him to get his powers. Even though they are related, their relationship isn’t exactly friendly. The Prowler isn’t exactly a good guy and Morales quickly realizes the truth about this uncle’s actions. Let’s just say it doesn't end well.

The Prowler also has connections to The Tinkerer in the comics, also set to appear in Spider-Man: Homecoming . In order to keep Miles Morales’ new identity a secret, Aaron actually shot the Tinkerer, but not before the Tinkerer made him a special jacket and mechanical wings. In the film, the Tinkerer, played by Michael Chernus, will be allied with Michael Keaton’s Vulture and Herman Schultz’s Shocker, salvaging tech from superhero battles and repurposing it to make a profit. Needless to say, they won’t be friendly with Stark and his newfound friend, Peter Parker.

While this far from confirms we will be seeing Morales in live action, it may not be a coincidence Sony just laid down the groundwork. Recent statements from Tom Holland are also curious. When asked by Screen Rant if he’d like to mentor a younger Spider-Man, such as Morales, Holland was all for it.

That would be something that I would be very up for doing, it’s something that I would really really hope to happen. I think Miles Morales is a great character, I think it would be fantastic to have an actor of color playing a superhero on screen and I just think it’s going to be something very cool and something very exciting for this universe.

While it could be a while until we see Morales in the MCU, it appears Sony and Marvel are definitely playing the long game here. Glover voiced Morales in Disney XD’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Glover is also signed on the creative team of Marvel's new Deadpool animated series. With his hands all up in Marvel’s sauce, there’s no doubt there’s a big purpose for Glover’s introduction into the MCU.

**UPDATE 6/30: Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirms Miles Morales exists in the MCU

What do you think of Donald Glover in the MCU? Let us know in the comments.