Buckle up, Spider-Man fans – a classic villain is crawling back into the spotlight after nearly a decade, and it's going to shake up the web!
You might not recall him right away, but Mac Gargan, portrayed by the talented Michael Mando, was one of the shady criminals busted in the 2017 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster Spider-Man: Homecoming. In that film, Peter Parker – our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, played by Tom Holland – stumbles upon Gargan on the deck of a massive ship, where he's trying to score some illicit arms. Peter's handy in-ear crime-fighting gadget reveals that Gargan has a lengthy rap sheet, including charges of murder. Gargan was after advanced alien tech remnants from the 2012 movie The Avengers, planning to use them for his underworld schemes. Of course, Peter swoops in to crash the party, sparking a fierce battle with the Vulture (Michael Keaton), which ends with Gargan getting captured and locked away in prison.
And this is the part most people miss... Take a closer look, and you'll spot a prominent scorpion tattoo on Gargan's neck – a clever nod to his comic book alter ego. In Marvel's printed adventures, Mac Gargan transforms into a formidable, high-tech supervillain known as the Scorpion, boasting superhuman strength and a twisted, predatory edge. While Gargan doesn't steal the show in Homecoming, he's a cornerstone of Spider-Man's rogues' gallery in the comics. He even pops up in a fun post-credits scene, grilling the Vulture in jail about Spider-Man's true identity. It's like a playful wink, hinting that Gargan might fully morph into the Scorpion in a future Spider-Man flick.
Well, that tease is about to become reality in Destin Daniel Cretton's upcoming film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Exclusive set photos from Cretton's MCU project – you can check them out on the Twitter/X account @MyTimeToShineH – show Mando back in action, rocking that same bald look from Homecoming. As previously buzzed about, the Scorpion is indeed making his comeback.
But here's where it gets controversial... With the multiverse shenanigans from Spider-Man: No Way Home in play, we're left wondering if this Gargan is the exact same guy from Homecoming or perhaps a different version from another reality. For beginners, the multiverse is basically a concept where multiple parallel universes exist, allowing characters to cross over or have alternate selves – think of it as infinite 'what if' scenarios in the Marvel world. At the end of No Way Home, everyone's memories of Spider-Man got wiped clean, so theoretically, Gargan shouldn't still be harboring a grudge. This opens up endless possibilities: Will he just be a tattooed thug? Or a full-fledged baddie in a sleek, mechanical scorpion suit? Right now, it's all speculation, and fans are divided on whether this ties into the multiverse could reinvent the character or just confuse things further.
Diving into the character's roots, Mac Gargan debuted in Spider-Man comics back in 1964. Originally, he was a private eye hired by the gruff newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson to uncover how Peter Parker always snapped those perfect Spider-Man shots. Growing impatient, Jameson funded an experimental procedure that pumped Gargan with super strength and scorpion-like instincts. Suited up in scorpion armor, he became one of Spider-Man's most iconic foes – another arachnid-themed adversary for Peter to tangle with. Over the decades, Gargan has evolved through various forms, even briefly bonding with the notorious Venom symbiote (a gooey alien parasite that grants powers but messes with your mind). As a villain, he's been a reliable thorn in Spider-Man's side for over 60 years, which is why his MCU return feels like a natural fit in the expanding Marvel universe. For context, imagine him as a timeless bad guy, much like how Batman keeps facing the Joker – always adapting, always threatening.
Since Homecoming, Mando has kept busy with roles in films like The Hummingbird Project and the action-packed King Ivory. More notably, he shone as Nacho Varga in the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, showcasing his range in gritty dramas. He's also set to appear in the upcoming Charlie Hunnam series Criminal, which draws from a Marvel/Image Comics storyline (though it's not connected to the MCU).
Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31, 2026. What do you think – is bringing back the Scorpion a brilliant way to honor Spider-Man's legacy, or could it overshadow newer villains? And here's a spicy take: Some argue that recycling old foes like this might stifle fresh storytelling in the MCU, while others say it's a nod to die-hard fans. Do you agree, disagree, or have your own wild theory? Drop your thoughts in the comments – let's spin a web of discussion!
