MCU actor Jacob Batalon originally had an additional scene in Avengers: Endgame, before returning more prominently for the second solo Spidey outing.
The franchise itself has been on something of a roller coaster over the last few months. For a time, it appeared as though negotiations between the Disney-owned Marvel Studios and Sony had broken down. As such, Spider-Man looked set to revert into the sole custody of the latter. With Tom Holland contractually locked in for at least two more movies, Sony made plans to bring the one of the other already confirmed films.
Following Spider-Man: Far From Home's initial release, its mid-credit scene is what immediately resonated with fans. It will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the best ones from within the MCU's considerable catalog of codas - and not just because it features the return of Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). Not only does it frame Spider-Man as the ruthless architect of the destruction, but reveals his true identity to the world. Speaking exclusively with Screen Rant ahead of the film's release on home media, Batalon revealed he had originally been a part of the scene. "I filmed reactions to it," he said. "I doing a bunch of screams as Ned, just like yelling and in shock noises, like gasping and crying."
The actor didn't specify how the scene differed to for his inclusion. As such, fans will simply have to imagine and speculate whether he simply met M.J. and Peter after their outing (as seen in a Spider-Man: Far From Home deleted scene) or was himself taken on a swing through the city. Whatever the case, some will no doubt be disappointed by missing out on Ned's take on the situation. Others, meanwhile, will realize that the exclusion makes a certain kind of sense. The moment was, after all, wholly about Peter. Given that, such overt reactions might have distracted from the shocking impact of the moment.
No matter which side they found themselves regarding that - or in a Madame Web movie confirmed - there will no doubt be plenty of opportunity for a whole range of brilliant Ned Leeds reactions in the future.
Spider-Man: Far From Home will be released on Blu-ray and 4k October 1.
