Far From Home The Uncle Ben Problem

[B]

I think him and Batman are the only two you can get away with that with. We've seen both of their origins so many times I don't think you need to directly show it again any time soon.

Spider-Man's in somewhat of a unique situation in that the character has now had 3 film reboots inside 15 years & in the 2 prior non-MCU reboots, the 1st films of each series, while different, did focus heavily on the death of Uncle Ben & the character's first appearances in public. The MCU somewhat basically glossed over that whole saga & picked up 6 months later ie Civil War.

Even though it has been done to death on film, it saddens me that the most popular Marvel character is in fact the only one within the MCU that hasn't got an origin story.. I still don't like how they hastily threw him in to Civil War, seemed like a gimmick to sell more tickets, he was completely irrelevant to the whole film.

And Superman, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and we may even include the Flash sometime down the road.

Superman & Batman's origins are more pop culture sort of things, I suppose you could include Spider-Man in that also but a lot less so.

On film however Man of Steel 2013 & Batman Begins 2005 were the first origin films for both Superman/Batman in 15+ years.

 

[jolldan]

Spider-Man's in somewhat of a unique situation in that the character has now had 3 film reboots inside 15 years & in the 2 prior non-MCU reboots, the 1st films of each series, while different, did focus heavily on the death of Uncle Ben & the character's first appearances in public. The MCU somewhat basically glossed over that whole saga & picked up 6 months later ie Civil War.

Even though it has been done to death on film, it saddens me that the most popular Marvel character is in fact the only one within the MCU that hasn't got an origin story.. I still don't like how they hastily threw him in to Civil War, seemed like a gimmick to sell more tickets, he was completely irrelevant to the whole film.



Superman & Batman's origins are more pop culture sort of things, I suppose you could include Spider-Man in that also but a lot less so.

On film however Man of Steel 2013 & Batman Begins 2005 were the first origin films for both Superman/Batman in 15+ years.

I wouldn't be opposed seeing uncle Ben I just think you need to find a new way to include it.

Like how I said I think we've seen Batman's parents die enough also, but I would love to have seen them open a Batman movie like the trailer for Arkham Knight with the message from his father asking him to protect Gotham as we see him suiting up in the background. It gives you the backstory just not in the usual formulaic way.

Not too sure how you'd do that for Ben though.

 

[Eddie Dean]

*spider-man is in a dire situation*

Spider-Man: remember what uncle Ben said... with great power...

 

[Gothamsknight]

Gonna reiterate more or less what I said in the other thread. When some folks bring up the fact of whether Ben will ever be brought up in these movies or not, others will imediately jump to the old "but we don't want to see the same origin again!" argument, which doesn't really hold much water and here's why:

It's obvious no one wants to see how Peter became Spider-Man, of course not. We all know it by heart. What some people, myself included, do want to see is Ben being brought up in a conversation between Peter and May. Just something to let us know about the other person he looked up to and admired just as much as Tony, and how it's all seemingly happening again, with him losing another parental figure.

Uncle Ben's character and his philosophy is a vital part of why Spider-Man does what he does. Fans who act like Ben isn't really that important to who Peter is aren't, in my humble opinion, big fans of the character or don't really understand Spidey that much to begin with.

A loaded statement that will probably get me some flack, I know, but it's what I honestly believe.

Agreed. And to add another statement that might get some flack, i feel like some people who don't have a problem with how they've handled the uncle ben situation really only care whether Spidey wisecracks or how many fights he gets in. Unfortunately, of course.

It's not rehashing to mention one of the most important aspects of a character, and it's not wrong for people to want that. I mean, we've had to deal with this Spidey pretty much letting everybody know who he is, including his aunt, so is a simple mention of the historical event in the characters life such too much to ask for?

 

[Spider-Fan]

I think that is a gross misinterpretation of what people who are less bothered by the lack of Uncle Ben are saying. Once again, that type of misrepresentation of people's opinion comes from a dismissive attitude of opposing opinions. As someone less bothered about the lack of Uncle Ben than many on here, I can tell you it has nothing to do with me wanting more jokes and to see Spider-Man in awesome fights.

What it comes down to for me is, within the MCU Uncle Ben has been dead a long time. 7-8 years in real time by this point. Peter had time to mourn him, and since Spider-Man's origin is so iconic, I feel like we can explore other aspects of the character by this point. Yes, Ben's important, and Peter basically acknowledged him without saying his name in CW being the reason he is doing this when Stark asked him. So it is not like the MCU forgot him entirely.

We can disagree on things without having dismissive attitudes toward contradictory opinions.

 

[ragingdemon155]

More Jokes/awesome fight scenes > old man

 

[Lilbaz]

I didn't see it, it didn't happen. It's called show, not tell.

You did see it numerous times in film, cartoon and comic. The mcu assumes that you have seen it and know peters motivations for what he does. So they move on and tell new stories.

 

[Arachnerd]

More Jokes/awesome fight scenes > old man

Well, that basically read "I'd take Spidey's wisecracks and fight scenes over the pathos/deeper side of the character any day."

Not really a good counter-point, but you do you.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Well, that basically read "I'd take Spidey's wisecracks and fight scenes over the pathos/deeper side of the character any day."

Not really a good counter-point, but you do you.

I think RD's post is a bit more on the humorous side. Uncle Ben isn't the only road to pathos, nor is he the pillar that needs to be mentioned in every episode/comic/movie.

Though I do believe it is time to do as everyone else said -and as @The Joker worded- in this one:
5 movies without mentioning him by name is overdoing it, they should mention him in this one.
I think May and Peter need to have a talk about how Peter was out, how they both miss Ben, and probably mention Tony Stark as the second uncle Pete never had.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

That's a horrible comparison because Batman isn't a teenager and his skills only exist because he already had a bunch of mentors, people he admired and looked up in the past, he doesn't need mentors anymore, HE'S the mentor. Spiderman is, and it makes sense he'd look up to someone, especially having grown up in a world where Iron Man saved the world multiple times.
If this was 23 year old Spiderman maybe I'd have a problem but this is 15 year old Spiderman... why wouldn't he look up to Iron Man?

You've missed the point of my example.

However, your attempt to disprove why such changes wouldn't be good for Batman, in a way, proves the point I'm trying to make.

You may want to reread my post. Nowhere did I make a claim that Peter wouldn't look up to Tony as a mentor.

 

[UltimateWebhead]

Taking the extremes into account, I'd just like to point out that while I may seem like I'm salty for making these criticisms about Ben...

While I don't agree with several of the creative decisions with MCU Spidey I really enjoyed Homecoming. Still do. And I feel confident I will enjoy FFH. It looks like it will be a fun ride and I'm excited to finally see Mysterio.

 

[Lilbaz]

I think RD's post is a bit more on the humorous side. Uncle Ben isn't the only road to pathos, nor is he the pillar that needs to be mentioned in every episode/comic/movie.

Though I do believe it is time to do as everyone else said -and as @The Joker worded- in this one:
5 movies without mentioning him by name is overdoing it, they should mention him in this one.
I think May and Peter need to have a talk about how Peter was out, how they both miss Ben, and probably mention Tony Stark as the second uncle Pete never had.

Why do peter and may need to have a talk about ben?
You have seen numerous times that ben was important to peter. In almost every format.
Will it help the story with mysterio, or is it something missing to you personally?

The suit case in ffh belonged to ben. Maybe he will have a moment. Maybe he will cry over tony, his parents, ben, the fact liz is married with 2 kids. Possible but maybe not the best story. I don't want to sacrifice a good story just to make you feel better.

 

[ragingdemon155]

Well, that basically read "I'd take Spidey's wisecracks and fight scenes over the pathos/deeper side of the character any day."

Not really a good counter-point, but you do you.

I honestly can’t see how anyone could take my post seriously...but ok....

And don’t see how you gathered all this not caring about the history or deeper side of the character from my post....but ok again.

This Uncle Ben situation is getting personal And hostile, lol. He would disappointed knowing that his memory is spurning all this hate and animosity.....

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Why do peter and may need to have a talk about ben?
You have seen numerous times that ben was important to peter. In almost every format.
Will it help the story with mysterio, or is it something missing to you personally?

The suit case in ffh belonged to ben. Maybe he will have a moment. Maybe he will cry over tony, his parents, ben, the fact liz is married with 2 kids. Possible but maybe not the best story. I don't want to sacrifice a good story just to make you feel better.

Talk about death, the talk extends to Ben, and is satisfies the hunger of fans who want to hear his name.

 

[ragingdemon155]

I think RD's post is a bit more on the humorous side. Uncle Ben isn't the only road to pathos, nor is he the pillar that needs to be mentioned in every episode/comic/movie.

Though I do believe it is time to do as everyone else said -and as @The Joker worded- in this one:
5 movies without mentioning him by name is overdoing it, they should mention him in this one.
I think May and Peter need to have a talk about how Peter was out, how they both miss Ben, and probably mention Tony Stark as the second uncle Pete never had.

People take things way too seriously.....

Anyway, That would be nice to see... I don’t think we will get that though because I’m sure the movie will center around him mourning Tony. A mention of Ben In the conversation with Aunt May I feel is all you would really need. Aunt May and him do need to have a conversation which I’m sure is coming about his powers,hero status and so on. I really hope that isn’t avoided. Like you mentioned, during that would be the perfect time to have a mention of Ben...

Then again I’m not sure how I feel about that....because I prefer action/wisecracks over the pathos and deeper side of the character....

 

[samsnee]

I don’t see how there’s an Uncle Ben problem anyways. The guy is dead. The problem would be if he’s still alive

 

[Invader Joker]

You've missed the point of my example.

However, your attempt to disprove why such changes wouldn't be good for Batman, in a way, proves the point I'm trying to make.

You may want to reread my post. Nowhere did I make a claim that Peter wouldn't look up to Tony as a mentor.

Theres a fundamental difference between Spiderman and Batman backgrounds, environment and age that make the comparison not really hold up. Spiderman can have a mentor because he's a teen that got superpowers. Batman cant because he's an adult that already went through mentors and training.

 

[Avenging Angel]

You did see it numerous times in film, cartoon and comic. The mcu assumes that you have seen it and know peters motivations for what he does. So they move on and tell new stories.

Not a fan of watering down the character just so he can ramble off cringe jokes like a PG-13 Deadpool. He has a lot more layers than that. I haven't seen any motivation for his character at all, let alone any consequences for his actions.

 

[Lilbaz]

Not a fan of watering down the character just so he can ramble off cringe jokes like a PG-13 Deadpool. He has a lot more layers than that. I haven't seen any motivation for his character at all, let alone any consequences for his actions.

I know you quoted my post but did you read it?

Have you not seen a film, cartoon or comic that shows uncle ben?

 

[DarkKnight88]

It comes down to years from now, when a kid not even born at this point starts watching only the MCU movies and has no idea about Spider-Man's origin. Long term. Film lasts a long time. This might be the only introduction to the Spider-Man character for some people. Even in a quick flashback.

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

I don’t see how there’s an Uncle Ben problem anyways. The guy is dead. The problem would be if he’s still alive

 

[Shikamaru]

It's not just the fact they didn't mention Uncle Ben that's a problem. It's the fact they didn't mention him in situations he would naturally come up.

When May saw the breaking news of the Avengers robbers, she talked about the crime in Queens as if she wasn't a victim of it. She also warned Peter to stay safe. They lost Uncle Ben less than a year ago by that point. It would have naturally come up.

Later May wants to know why Peter's so stressed and sneaks out at night. The most obvious assumption is he's still coping with his uncle's death. It's a basic parenting skill to be able to figure that out.

Tony's death is another instance where Uncle Ben would naturally come up. There's no way it wouldn't when it's another death of a father figure that inspired your superhero work. Especially if Peter is still in high school, which means Ben's death wasn't that long ago.

The PS4 game is a perfect example. It's nowhere near being an origin story or rehash, but Uncle Ben still comes up wherever it's natural. Pretending not to know the difference between that and a rehash is just you creating a strawman.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

That homage to the first X-Men movie is my favorite.

 

[SpeterMan3]

It's not just the fact they didn't mention Uncle Ben that's a problem. It's the fact they didn't mention him in situations he would naturally come up.

When May saw the breaking news of the Avengers robbers, she talked about the crimes in Queens as if she wasn't a victim of it. She also warned Peter to stay safe. They lost Uncle Ben less than a year ago by that point. It would have naturally come up.

Later May wants to know why Peter's so stressed and sneaks out at night. The most obvious assumption is he's still coping with his uncle's death. It's a basic parenting skill to be able to figure that out.

Tony's death is another instance where Uncle Ben would naturally come up. There's no way it wouldn't when it's another death of a father figure that inspired your superhero work. Especially if Peter is still in high school, which means Ben's death wasn't that long ago.

The PS4 game is a perfect example. It's nowhere near being an origin story or rehash, but Uncle Ben still comes up wherever it's natural. Pretending not to know the difference between that and a rehash is just you creating a strawman.

*nods slowly*

 

[Flint Marko]

I don’t love that Uncle Ben hasn’t been explicitly mentioned yet. However, a scant few years ago I thought Spider-man’s on-screen popularity was all but dead given how little enthusiasm his movies were greeted with and how intent Sony was on sucking the property dry.

Here we are now with what is arguably the most successful, beloved version of the character whose appearance in End Game was one of the biggest cheer moments in the entire film.

Things are better than they have been for the character in years. I wish they’d bring up Uncle Ben in FFH, but I can easily set aside the nitpicks given how much they’ve nailed everything else.

Also, and I’ve said this for years, there’s a huge difference between not mentioning Uncle Ben and retconning/replacing him. They’ve done the former and not the latter.