Spider-Man: Homecoming NY Press Conference + Peter Parker- Inspired Sail Around Manhattan

Want to hear exciting? How about being in the same room with Robert Downey, Jr., Michael Keaton, Marissa Tomei, Tom Holland, producer Amy Pascal, and Zendaya?? Last week, I got to be at the Spider-Man Homecoming NY Press Conference and on a Peter Parker-Inspired Sail around Manhattan and I can’t wait to share information and my thoughts with you ( – my review is now up). Spider-Man: Homecoming NY Press Conference + Peter Parker- Inspired Sail Around Manhattan

The moderator started off with talking to producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal by saying, “How excited were you to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Kevin Feige said, “It was one of those — it will never be possible, but let’s dream about it moments at Marvel Studios. And now we’re sitting in front of you people in orange chairs today, having made this movie is unbelievable.
Amy Pascal said, “It was incredible. It started as a lunch between me and Kevin and I can’t believe we’re here now. It’s pretty exciting.

Moderator addressed director Jon Watts. “Jon Watts, the biggest challenge for making Spider-Man: Homecoming to make a stand-alone Spider-Man movie, but one that does fit into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and one that does capture a unique tone that is delightful and hilarious, so what was some of the challenges in capturing all those things while staying true to the legacy of Spider-Man?

Jon Watts told us, “I just try to approach it as the biggest fan possible and the opportunities to finally put Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe opened up the doors to so many new kinds of stories we can tell. So, if anything, I felt like we could be as true as possible as anyone has ever able to be about Spider-Man and how he fits into this world.”

Robert Downey, Jr., who I had passed in the hallway around 10 minutes before the press conference started, was charming. He realizes that he is in the center of the Marvel Universe (he’s been called the godfather of the Marvel Cinematic Universe).

When Tom Holland was asked how he felt playing a character that everybody loves, he said, “I think I had to remind myself most when I took on this character was that Tobey Maguire’s character had such a huge impact on me as a kid. He was my role model growing up, he was my favorite character so I had to keep reminding myself that I was going to have that same impact on kids of the younger generation so I really wanted to do them proud and be a solid role model for them and also and make a young fresh version of the character we know and love so well.” He had a lot of fun with it. He also mentioned that he and the director, John Watts, asked themselves this, “If you gave a 15 year old super powers, he would have the time of his life. And when I made this movie, I had the time of my life. It really seems to come across on screen.”

Moderator says, “It also looks like you had the time of your life sparring with this guy, Robert Downey, Jr. In the beginning of May 2008, we were a witness to the very first movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the first Iron Man. That kind of makes you the Godfather of the MCU. How do you feel about the way that the universe has evolved and expanded? Now to include the likes of Spider-Man?

Robert Downey, Jr, answered, “Well, first of all, I’m stoked that they got my memo that I wanted the screening room designed like an old Miami Dolphins Jersey (everyone laughed). You know, but Amy and them had done these iterations of Spider-Man previously. They really should have done one of those important books about the miracles about what really had to happen for us to be sitting here today and now I just feel like this turned out so well. It really comes down to this, you have to see the movie and love it. And I saw it and I was in it a little bit (more laughter) and I honestly loved it and that’s what’s exciting – they’re still really working.”

The moderator then addressed Michael Keaton. “Think about the Vulture (his character) and his motives are plausible, they’re grounded. I mean – his family is everything to him, he would do anything to protect his family. What was your impression when you signed on for this movie and you saw how grounded and plausible the movies were and saw how the motives were…”
Michael Keaton, “I got it. I thought it was inventive and an interesting way to go. I’ve said this publically, I’m not familiar with a lot of the lore, for me, I was trying to catch up. I thought the simplicity of this character. It’s timely, and let’s not talk about why it’s timely, because I want to blow my brains out, but… It’s timely.

RDJ interjects, “He’s only threatening his own life right now”.

Michael Keaton continues, “It was a unique approach to make this person someone who’s approachable who has a legitimate gripe and argument and I think it was really well written to simplify things and it was fun. Fun gig.”

Moderator then addressed Marisa Tomei, “It looks like this was fun for you as well. When you look at the comics and films of the character of Aunt May. I mean, she’s very different. So when you saw the tone, the look – what was your take on playing Aunt May that was completely different from what we’ve known for the last 60 years of the character.
Marisa Tomei, “Well, I really didn’t know what Aunt May looked like until after I signed up. I couldn’t understand why my agents were saying, “She has to be sexy!”

Then she figured out why.

“But these guys had the vision of how this was going to be revamped and everyone was going to be younger and she’s his aunt by marriage, so she could really be any age at all.”

For more of this press conference, go here:

https://www.facebook.com/SpiderManMovie/videos/1365376523538254/

Review coming soon!

After the press conference, we got a photo with the cast!