WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Spider-Man: Homecoming
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However, while fans may have been disappointed by the superhero universe non-starter of Amazing Spider-Man 2, it laid the groundwork for Sony and Marvel to strike a deal and bring Captain America: Civil War, and is featured in his first solo entry in Jon Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Spider-Man: Homecoming differs from previous iterations of the web-slinging hero because it skips over much of Peter Parker's known origin story - when he's introduced in Civil War, his Uncle Ben has already ed away (and isn't explicitly mentioned or depicted in Homecoming) and he's already received, and been using, his spidey powers. Additionally, though Holland's Peter is a more experienced Spider-Man when viewers meet him, he's the youngest version of the character audiences have seen since he's a 15-year-old high school student. Still, much of Homecoming sees Peter working to balance his life as a superhero - one that fought alongside of The Avengers in Civil War - with being a student and having a normal life.
Related: Previous Spider-Man/Avengers Movie Crossovers
Of course, since Miles Morales, exists in the MCU - which Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige recently confirmed. So, here's what exactly the Ultimate Spider-Man reference in Spider-Man: Homecoming is and how Miles Morales fits into the MCU.
Homecoming's Miles Morales Reference Explained
When Donald Glover was cast in Spider-Man: Homecoming, there was a great deal of mystery surrounding his character - as there tends to be with high profile comic book films - with some speculating that he could be playing the MCU's Miles. It has since been confirmed Glover plays Aaron Davis, who goes by the alias Prowler in the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. In fact, in Spider-Man: Homecoming, the character's full name is highlighted, drawing attention to it, while Peter is investigating Adrian Toomes aka Vulture (Michael Keaton) and his weapons made from alien tech.
After thwarting a deal in which Glover's Aaron Davis was trying to buy weaponry from Vulture's henchmen, Spider-Man interrogates Davis about Vulture's criminal operation. During this conversation, Davis offers Spider-Man information readily because, as he explains, he doesn't want weapons like those made by Vulture's men on the streets since he's afraid for his nephew's safety.
Now, Marvel Comics fans who recognized Aaron Davis' name and connection to Miles in the comics will understand just who Glover's character references with this comment. For those who aren't aware of the connection: Aaron Davis is Miles Morales uncle (more specifically, the brother and former partner in crime of Miles's father, Jefferson Davis). So, Miles Morales isn't named in Spider-Man: Homecoming, but the character is very much referenced by his uncle, Aaron Davis.
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How Miles Could Fit Into the MCU
Since Spider-Man: Homecoming only establishes that Miles Morales exists in the MCU, and doesn't offer any concrete details about the character, Aaron Davis' comment may be a simple Easter egg for fans of Marvel Comics. True, Homecoming doesn't even mention Miles Morales by name, and it's unclear how old the future Ultimate Spider-Man is based on Davis' comment - though we can presume he's somewhere between toddler- and preteen-aged. With so few details, it's impossible to tell when Miles could appear in future Spider-Man - or other MCU - films. That said, fans of Marvel know that the studio rarely does anything without some kind of plan or idea of where they're going.
In the case of bringing Miles into the MCU, it wouldn't happen in any real capacity for some time - certainly not before Sony launches their animated Spider-Man film starring the character. Written by Mahershala Ali as Aaron Davis - obviously establishing the film as taking place outside the MCU (though that was already confirmed). Depending on Sony's plan for their animated Spider-Man film - specifically, whether that plan includes sequels or a larger shared universe - the studio may decide to keep Miles in his own Marvel universe.
Of course, there's also the possibility that Sony brings Miles to live-action for its non-Spider-Man Spider-Man universe, which currently contains the Tom Hardy-starring shared universe featuring Spider-Man characters without Tom Holland's Peter Parker. Marvel's Kevin Feige has said unequivocally that they're separate, while Sony's Amy Pascal has confused the issue. Perhaps, Sony plans to bring Miles Morales - a Miles Morales who is the nephew of Glover's Aaron Davis - to their Venom universe. But it's unclear whether that would be allowable under Sony and Marvel's deal, and whether it would be too confusing for casual moviegoers.
All that's to say, Sony still holds the rights to Spider-Man, including Peter Parker and Miles Morales, and Spider-Man: Homecoming is a Sony movie - which is why the studio gets to keep all the film's profits. So, whatever Marvel Studios would like to do with the Ultimate Spider-Man, at the end of the day, it's Sony's decision whether Miles officially s the MCU.
Miles' Possible Future In the MCU
For now, it seems Marvel Studios is focusing on Peter Parker's arc, with Spider-Man trilogy for Peter Parker, which follows in line with the MCU featuring trilogies of its top characters. That said, if Spider-Man's current story arc wraps up in Homecoming 2, it's unclear how a third film in the character's trilogy will factor in.
One possibility, is that the third solo Spider-Man movie in the MCU introduces Miles Morales and features a role reversal of sorts, with RJ Cyler, who wants to play Miles. Though Miles started off his comic book run by taking up the Spider-Man mantle after Peter Parker's death, there is some precedent in the comics for Miles and Peter existing in the same universe, albeit an alternate universe.
Certainly, the MCU hasn't seen any of its main superheroes on their mantle to another character - yet. Avengers 4 wraps up the story arcs and contracts for a number of the main Avengers characters and while they could choose to continue on, it's likely the MCU will see different characters pick up established mantles. Fans have been speculating for years who will pick up Captain America's shield once Chris Evans steps away from the MCU, especially since the contracts of both Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes aka the Winter Soldier) and Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson aka Falcon) are rumored to far exceed when Evans' is up and both characters have taken the mantle in the comics.
So, it's possible Marvel Studios is already preparing for the day when Holland departs the MCU - though, if he has anything to say about it, he may Miles showing up in the Spider-Man PS4 footage from this year's E3. Until Marvel lays out their plans for Miles in the MCU, fans will have to wait and see.