Michael Keaton’s Vulture remains one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s better villains, in part because he never feels like he wandered in from a different movie. His Adrian Toomes is a working-class criminal with a legitimate grievance, a terrifying wing suit and enough restraint to make that car ride with Peter Parker feel more dangerous than most battles in new superhero movies. Keaton was so natural in the role that it is difficult to picture anyone else answering the door as Liz’s father in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Apparently, Marvel Studios once had someone very different in mind.
During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked about a Marvel role he had reportedly been offered around 2016. Horowitz first guessed Spider-Man: Homecoming, then worked his way through the cast before landing on the Vulture. Miranda confirmed it and immediately admitted he believes Marvel avoided a major casting mistake. He explained:
