Well, who hasn’t heard the rumors of Jacob Batalon playing the hobgoblin in Spider-Man’s future? Why this connection that people ask for? This is because of the character’s name and its origin in the comics.
In the comics, Ned Leeds took on the role of the supervillain Hobgoblin, though he was brainwashed into it. While it’s unclear if Marvel Studios will ever go down the same path, the stage was set for Peter Parker’s best friend to join the evil side.
Also Read: Spider-Man: No Way Home Hints at Ned Leeds Becomes the Hobgoblin
Jacob Batalon apologizes for spreading false rumors
The 25-year-old actor was featured on Monday’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonwhere he addressed rumors that his Spider-Man character Ned Leeds could become a villain in the movies.
Jacob Batallon has already appeared in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Coming Home (2021) as Ned, the classmate, best friend of Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his “guy in the chair”. The Spider-Man actor then opened up about a gaffe he made in 2016 that sparked the Hobgoblin rumors.
“Uh-huh. Interesting. You know, I just wanted to say, I’m really sorry, everyone. I did this really dumb thing in 2016 and mentioned it in an interview. And then I stupidly continued the story like I knew what was going to happen. And now everyone’s talking about it. And I…I’m sorry for all the misinformation…”
Before commenting on his earlier claims about becoming a villain, he shared how his fiancee was forced to keep Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield a secret. Spider-Man: No Coming Home. Fans claim that was Kevin Feige’s whole plan to fool the audience of this Spider-verse tale.
Related: ‘These Things Are In The Works For Sure’: Spider-Man: No Way Home Star Jacob Batalon Says ‘Really Dark Things’ Wait For Ned Leeds, Teases Hobgoblin Saga
Interestingly, Tom Holland and Batalon made jokes about this before the movie was released, which makes this story very doable in the near future. When Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker talks about how his best friend (Harry Osborn) turned against him in Spider-Man: No Coming Home, the film pokes fun at the premise. It’s a possibility that really bothers Ned, so he turns to his Peter Parker and promises him he’ll never change.
The future of Hobgoblin and Jacob Batalon in the MCU
The name Ned Leeds is the only connection between the two protagonists in the comics. While Leeds was technically the Hobgoblin at one point, but was never really the real one, he had been brainwashed into believing he had always been the Hobgoblin, but in reality, Ned Leeds wasn’t. was just a former reporter for the Daily Bugle. Roderick Kingsley, who has yet to appear in the MCU, is the real Hobgoblin in the comics.
Also Read: Spider-Man Star Jacob Batalon’s Recent Comment May Have Hinted Miles Morales Will Soon Replace Tom Holland’s Peter Parker
If Hobgoblin is involved in the future of the MCU, now is a good time to introduce him, given that everyone has forgotten who Peter Parker is; all thanks to doctor strange spell post No coming home. It is unknown if Jacob Batalon will play a role in Spiderman 4, or when the movie will first be released. I hope he will be back sooner rather than later.
Source: The Direct
