Spider-Man Homecoming Press Junket
I’m still pinching myself over the Spider-Man Homecoming press junket I attended in New York City last week.
Related: How to make a DIY Spider-Man costume for a girl
I consider any trip to NYC a good trip, but being there for Marvel, and especially being there for Spider-Man Homecoming, meant that this one was going to be epic.
The press trip included screening the full Spider-Man Homecoming film on Saturday night, then attending the Spider-Man Homecoming press junket the following morning to interview the following:
- Amy Pascal, Spider-Man Homecoming producer
- Kevin Feige, Spider-Man Homecoming producer and head of Marvel Studios
- Jacob Batalon, plays Ned, Peter Parker’s best friend, in the movie
- Laura Harrier, plays Liz in the movie
- Michael Keaton, plays Vulture, the villian
- Tom Holland, plays Spider-Man
- Robert Downey Jr., Plays Tony Stark/Iron Man
- Marisa Tomei, plays Aunt May
- Zendaya, plays Michelle in the movie
- Tony Revolori, Flash
- Jon Watts, Director
That’s a pretty unbelievable lineup, right? I’m pretty sure I had heart palpitations when I read that Robert Downey Jr. was going to be in attendance!
Once I had travel plans in place and I knew I was definitely going to attend the press conference, I was wracking my brain for a question that I could ask one or more of the people on the panel.
I always have a thirst for behind-the-scenes knowledge and I want all the information I can get, but I knew I couldn’t ask just any question. I wanted to get details that fans like me would want to know, and I had to be ready with something good.
Thankfully, I was reviewing my notes from my Spider-Man Homecoming set visit from several months before, and I recalled a moment at the end of my interview with Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon. I knew exactly what I wanted to ask, and I was so excited that I was able to squeeze in my question!
But before I had the microphone in my hand, the talent behind Spider-Man Homecoming shared some amazing information about Marvel, the movie, the characters and themselves.
There was definitely a common theme from the start of the press junket: Spider-Man Homecoming feels like a dream, and it took a lot for the movie to happen.
As Kevin Feige said at the very idea of Spider-Man Homecoming:
It was one of those moments when we said, this will never be possible, but let’s dream about it at Marvel Studios. That we’re now sitting in front of all of you having made the movie? It’s incredible.
Amy Pascal added:
It is incredible. It started with a lunch between me and Kevin and I can’t believe we’re here now. It’s pretty exciting.
Robert Downey Jr. later said:
They really should do one of those boring to read but somewhat important books about really all the miracles that had to happen for us to be sitting here today. This turned out so well.
As Kevin (Feige) says, “You gotta see the movie and love it.” I saw it and I honestly loved it. I think that’s what’s exciting.
Zendaya also noted:
I’ve done a lot of things in my little career, but this is my first big movie, so I was terrified. It’s amazing to be here, and I think all of us feel like it’s a bit of a dream. I don’t know when it’s going to feel real, but it definitely doesn’t feel real right now.
Tom Holland then said:
I’ve been so lucky in my career. I feel like I’ve been in the right place at the right time at every turn. I’ve been so lucky that I’ve got to work with the best of the best.
This job since day one has been a roller coaster. It’s the job that keeps on giving. It has never ceased to amaze me. The fact that I’m here with these guys, promoting this movie…like Zendaya said, it does not feel real in any way possible.
I read a comic yesterday that’s based off of my face. I mean, what the hell? Nothing has sunk in. This really feels like I’m about to wake up and be very disappointed. But I’m very happy here and I can’t wait for you to see the movie.
We already know that Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal share a mutual love of Spidey that helped their partnership and their drive to make the best movie possible, but it was also clear that others at the press junket are also Spider-Man fans.
Jon Watts said:
I tried to approach Spider-Man Homecoming as the biggest fan possible. The opportunity to put Spider-Man where he belongs, in the Marvel Universe, really just opened the doors to so many new kinds of stories we could tell.
We were being as true as possible as anyone has ever been able to be about Spider-Man and how he fits into this world.
Laura Harrier was asked what it was about Spider-Man, and what does he mean the most to the most people. Here’s what she said in response:
I think he’s the most relatable. We all know what it’s like to grow up and be in high school and have awkward moments. It’s harder to connect with these super heroes who are completely outside of our world, but Spider-Man is first and foremost Peter Parker.
My question at the Spider-Man Homecoming press junket
Moments later, I had the microphone in my hand and I was able to ask a question and get a great response from the panel!
Here’s just the clip of my question to Robert Downey Jr. and the response from him, Tom Holland and Jacob Batalon. If you don’t care to watch it be sure to read below the video to see the question and answer.
My question is for Robert. When we interviewed Tom and Jacob last fall I asked them If they could take anything from the set, what would it be?
Jacob Batalon: Ohhhh. Ok, wait. Ok, ok. [laughing]
Tom Holland: Oh, no! [laughing] We all know what Jacob said!
Tom said that he would take your Audi and Jacob said that he would take your watch. How do you feel about that…
Robert Downey Jr.: I’m sorry, which Audi? Which one?
…And [Jacob would take] Marisa Tomei. How do you feel about that and what would you take from the set?
Tom Holland: When she asked that Jacob was like, I’d take Marisa Tomei. This was a print interview. It doesn’t read that way!
Robert Downey Jr.: [laughing] Jacob! [pause].
You know why I think this movie really works? There’s something about the initial breaking the story and the concept. Whatever the mood board was for this movie? With all those different tones. It was creatively inspired. It’s really an inspired reinvention of this. I would take that moment when the creatives actually broke this story and said, “I think that’s it.” Because that’s, if it’s executed correctly, that’s what you wind up seeing on the screen.
That’s why I love movies. I’m a huge fan of movies and I always wonder, “how did they figure this out to entertain me this well?” The mood board!
Tom Holland: I love how he’s like, “The mood board” and I’m like, “his car and his watch. Yeah!
The whole Spider-Man Homecoming press junket was streamed live on Facebook. Watch the entire thing below:
We’re LIVE with Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr, Michael Keaton, Zendaya and the stars of #SpiderManHomecoming!
Posted by Spider-Man on Sunday, June 25, 2017
Spider-Man Homecoming opens in theaters everywhere on July 7, 2017. Get your local showtimes and order tickets today!
Don’t miss the first Spider-Man Homecoming trailer and exclusive details from the Spider-Man Homecoming set!
HUGE thanks to Shelby Barone for many of the photos in this post.
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