Being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe might be cool, but for Marisa Tomei the coolest part of working on the Spider-Man movies wasn’t being part of a superhero world but watching the magic that came via her younger costars.
"I think some of the favorite things were really just watching Tom and Zendaya grow up and watching them fall in love… and seeing their phenomenal talent," Tomei told fans at Fan Expo 2024 in Toronto when asked about her favorite part of working on the Spider-Man films. "Just being, like, blown away from the get-go… I mean, I'm blown away. They can do everything! They sing, they dance, they act, they do stunts, they design fashion. I mean, what are they not doing? They're incredible, incredible people."
Now if that isn’t the most Aunt May answer, I don’t know what is!
Tomei indeed had a unique opportunity in getting to watch the two come into their own across the three Marvel-Sony Spider-Man movies beginning with 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming and most recently continuing with Spider-Man: Now Way Home in 2021. She’s also gotten a front seat to watching Holland and Zendaya’s love story unfold not just through their characters on the big screen, but also in real life while working on the films.
While romance rumors sparked almost instantly between Holland and Zendaya after their chemistry in the films and during the press tours, it wasn't until July 2021 that the pair officially announced their relationship to the public. They're still going strong today and are both expected to return for the upcoming fourth film in the Spider-Man franchise.
As for Tomei, While we thought her journey in the MCU might have ended, but seems Marvel has other plans as there are rumors Tomei will be back for Spider-Man 4 which will give her the chance to once again work alongside Holland and Zendaya. Now whether she shares scenes with them both remains to be seen, but we’d gladly take whatever Marvel will give us in allowing us to see more of Tomei’s Aunt May within the MCU.