Avengers: Doomsday director retcons Spider-Man's MCU origins by saying Peter Parker doesn't blame himself for Uncle Ben's death

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Avengers: Doomsday's co-director has suddenly shaken up Spider-Man's MCU origins.

Speaking to CBR about his childhood passion for the webhead, Joe Russo said of the Marvel Studios/Sony iteration played by Tom Holland, "If he blamed himself for his Uncle Ben's death, I think he becomes a very different character."

Russo continued, "So in our minds, no, he wasn't responsible for Uncle Ben's death. That would have been a different interpretation. A more intense interpretation of the character."

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Despite being the catalyst for Spider-Man's crimefighting in most origin stories of the character, the death of Uncle Ben has – since Spider-Man: Homecoming – not factored into much of Peter Parker's story.

Instead, Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) has acted as a surrogate Uncle Ben-of-sorts in Spider-Man's MCU arc, even being the impetus to fight back against Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home after the villain caused May's death.

Things aren't exactly looking much rosier for Tom Holland's wallcrawler for his next step in the MCU as part of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

There, thanks to the impact of Doctor Strange's memory wipe spell, Spidey is striking out on his own – and still smarting over the loss of MJ and Ned in his life.

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Spider-Man: Brand New Day also features Jon Bernthal's The Punisher (himself all too familiar with tragic beginnings), Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner, and Sadie Sink's mysterious character, who may or may not be Jean Grey.

Spider-Man is not currently part of Avengers: Doomsday, which swings into cinemas – sans Spidey – on December 18.

For more, check out the upcoming Marvel movies on the way and all the latest on Marvel Phase 6.

Bradley RussellSenior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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