Forget Batman, Jake Gyllenhaal in Talks to Play Mysterio in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ Sequel

Jake Gyllenhaal's name has been bandied about a lot recently concerning his potential involvement with a comic book movie, but it turns out we were all looking at the wrong comic book movie. Matt Reeves, director of the upcoming Batman solo film, has said that if Ben Affleck isn't playing Batman anymore, he wanted Gyllenhaal for the role.

However, while fanboys were lining up on either side of that casting decision, Gyllenhaal himself was more intrigued by the notion of playing a villain in a comic book movie, and is close to inking a deal to do just that. According to Deadline, Gyllenhaal is in talks to play Mysterio, one of Spider-Man's oldest foes who has yet to get the big screen treatment.

This, interestingly enough, would bring Gyllenhaal back into the Spider-Man discussion for the first time since 2003. Back then, Gyllenhaal was dating Kirsten Dunst, and when Tobey Maguire starting being a diva and holding out for more money to star in Spider-Man 2, the studio used Jake as a bargaining chip to take over the role should Maguire decide to walk. He even got as far as doing a costume test.

Honestly, he's better suited to this role than he is to Batman. This is right in his wheelhouse. Batman, sadly, is not. There's not enough edge to Gyllenhaal. He looks like he's never suffered a day in his life. That's not the Batman we want. Better to follow another Batman, Michael Keaton, into the MCU. That's the smart move.