New photos from the set of Madame Web have been revealed, and they appear to offer a first look at the movie's villain. Yes, that does look like Aaron Taylor Johnson, but it's not Kraven the Hunter who is taking aim at Dakota Johnson's Madame Web and Celeste O'Connor's unknown character.
Neither of them are in costume, though Madame Web is decked out in Julia Carpenter's trademark red jacket.
As for that bad guy, it's Tahar Rahim, and the actor is thought to be playing Ezekiel Sims. In the comic books, he was an ally to Peter Parker, but ultimately showed his true colours when it was revealed he was only using Spider-Man to protect himself. If recent plot leaks are any indications, this version wants to kill Mary Parker and stop Peter from ever being born.
According to Just Jared, "a stunt actor for Celeste O’Connor‘s character was fighting a possible villain while a stunt actor for Dakota Johnson‘s character was laying on the beam injured, according to the photographers who captured the pics."
If Madame Web is going to explain why there is no Spider-Man in the reality inhabited by Venom and Morbius, that's certainly...unique. We just hope it doesn't negatively impact the MCU's web-slinger in any way, such as revealing he was sent there by Madame Web as a baby (it's bad enough that poor Vulture is now stuck in Sony's Marvel Universe).
We'll see, but Ezekiel didn't wear a costume in the comic books, so this is definitely new.
S.J. Clarkson (The Defenders) is directing Madame Web from a screenplay by Morbius scribes Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless. Following recent delays, the movie is currently expected to swing into theaters on February 16, 2024.