Spider-Man: Far From Home director teases Mysterio’s origins

Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio is going to play an interesting role in Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Following his debut in the first trailer, Mysterio has become one of the exciting elements of Spider-Man: Far From Home. The fan favorite villain, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, will make his long-awaited, big screen debut. But his backstory appears to have been revamped, something director Jon Watts is excited about.

Watts caught up with Fandango to discuss the new trailer, including the enigmatic Mysterio. As previously confirmed, this iteration of the character will serve as an ally to Spider-Man, and Watts reiterated that this is part of Nick Fury’s latest plan:

"“Yes, Spider-Man and Mysterio are being recruited to tackle this threat of the Elementals. That’s what Nick Fury does, but now things are crazier than usual… In the film, it’s similar to the trailer, he is introduced as a potential ally to fight off this elemental threat.”"

More from Marvel Cinematic Universe

• Loki season 2 finale does set the stage for Kang Dynasty
• Marvel: (Spoiler) exits Avengers: The Kang Dynasty
• Will Loki air a new bonus episode tonight? (November 16, 2023)
• What If…? season 2 gets premiere date (and there’s a major twist)
• Marvel rumors hint Pedro Pascal has been cast in key Fantastic Four role

Of course, the biggest reveal of the trailer was that Mysterio (or Quentin Beck) hails from another dimension, officially opening up the multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the film, he and Peter Parker must face off with the Elementals, monsters that have the powers of different natural forces. While the characters’ origins weren’t clear, Watts has now confirmed they’re from Mysterio’s world.

The idea of the multiverse making its debut in the MCU is exciting, and it opens the door for a number of storytelling possibilities. Making the Elementals, who were interdimensional beings in the comics, the starting point for this is also a nice move.

However, there is still the possibility that Beck is lying. Many believe Mysterio is actually a criminal like his comic book counterpart. In the comics, Beck was just a failed special effects artist and actor who turned to crime. This could also be his true backstory in the MCU, and the Elementals are really his creations. The multiverse may indeed exist, but Mysterio may just be taking advantage of a post-Endgame world.

With a sketchy past and an uncertain role, Mysterio has the potential to be one of the MCU’s most intriguing characters (or villains) to date. Spider-Man: Far From Home swings into theaters on July 2.