The Ultimate Musical Icon Almost Became Spider-Man’s Greatest Villain

By Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 hour ago

From the very beginning, the strongest aspect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was its casting. Without the talent of performers like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, the public would never have embraced characters like Iron Man and Captain America. MCU guru Kevin Feige is well aware of this, and he often takes a personal hand in casting. That’s especially true with films like Spider-Man: Homecoming, which involve some of Marvel’s most popular comic characters. In that film, Tom Holland made for the perfect onscreen hero; the challenge was finding someone suitable to be an equally perfect onscreen villain.

Michael Keaton got the job, and he absolutely nailed the role of the Vulture by channeling his experiences as both Batman and (fittingly enough) Birdman. As it turns out, though, this former Caped Crusader wasn’t Marvel’s first choice for this character. Feige personally offered the role to the last person you’d expect: Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the insanely popular musical Hamilton. Had he squared off with Spidey back in Homecoming, it’s fair to say the MCU would never have been the same.

He Threw Away His Shot

This shocking revelation comes to us straight from Lin-Manuel Miranda. Recently, the Hamilton star appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast. According to the musical legend, Kevin Feige personally offered him the role, so no audition was required. Had he said “yes,” Miranda would have gotten a healthy payday and very likely have become a mainstay of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he declined the offer, and he did so for a reason many who are reading this can understand: he wanted to keep his wife happy!

In speaking with Horowitz, Miranda admitted he “would have been so miscast.” He made up his mind about the offer, asking when filming for Spider-Man: Homecoming would begin. Feige’s answer was, “Basically, the moment you step offstage in Hamilton.” Miranda replied, ‘Well, I love these movies, but I would really like to stay married, so I cannot do this.’” He is married to Vanessa Nadal, and they have two children together. Miranda had been looking forward to spending more time with his family once he stopped playing Hamilton, but playing the Vulture in Homecoming would mean being insanely busy for another year while being contractually tied down to future Marvel appearances.

Yes, Father. I Shall Become A Vulture

Looking back, Miranda has no regrets about his decision. He told Horowitz that he “needed a vacation so badly” after Hamilton and reiterated that “I would’ve been deeply miscast.” It’s hard not to disagree with this assessment. Part of why Michael Keaton was so great in the role is that his Vulture practically oozed menace whenever he was onscreen. By contrast, Miranda has spent a lifetime positioning himself as an affably goofy music guy. His Vulture would likely be a comedic character, and that wouldn’t work; since Spidey himself is so silly, it’s important for him to have a genuinely scary villain to bounce off of.

Lin-Manuel Miranda became a household name thanks to the success of Hamilton. He could have pivoted and become a Marvel icon, but he was very happy to “throw away his shot” at starring in Spider-Man: Homecoming. In retrospect, this was the right decision, and Miranda is the first to admit that he would’ve made a terrible villain. At least, a terrible onscreen villain. To everyone who ever got sick of their family blaring the Hamilton soundtrack at all hours of the day and on every single road trip, this guy will always be an archenemy for life!