John Leguizamo Comments on Being Snubbed by MCU & Losing the Role of Popular Villain: “I Think Another Actor Would’ve Sued”

John Leguizamo is by far one of the most recognizable Latino names in Hollywood, and the actor frequently comments and speaks up when he sees injustice being done, not only to him but to his co-stars and actors as well. Especially when it comes to the portrayal of Latinos in Hollywood and the issues of ethnic representation.

But, before he was known for that, Leguizamo was known for taking part in some of the biggest franchises in the industry. He gained widespread recognition for his roles in films such as ‘Carlito’s Way,’ ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,’ ‘Romeo + Juliet,’ the ‘Ice Age’ franchise, ‘The Kick-Ass’ franchise, and even the ‘John Wick’ franchise. But did you know that Leguizamo also almost played the Vulture in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’?

According to Leguizamo and his interview with ComicBook, he was offered and even negotiated for the role of Vulture in the popular ‘Spider-Man’ installment, but in the last minute, Keaton changed his mind and asked for the role back, leaving John heartbroken and just awful.

I was supposed to be the Vulture. We had negotiated, and I was about to play him, and they said that Michael Keaton wanted it back, and they asked me if I would give it up. I said, ‘Well, okay, I guess.’ They said, ‘No, we’ll work with you again, we’re gonna…’

Most recently, Leguizamo discussed the matter again with Business Insider, stating that he probably was supposed to sue Marvel, since the terms were already negotiated and the role was not simply “promised” to him, it was a done deal before Keaton returned:

I didn’t understand it. I think another actor would’ve sued because we had agreed on terms. We went through a huge negotiation period, and we had agreed on terms. I hadn’t signed a contract, but we had agreed. I think those are sueable terms.

And then the head of the studio called me up and said, “This is terrible. I feel horrible, and would you give it up?” And I did. I felt like, if you didn’t want me, I don’t want to be there either, you know what I mean?

My grandma was like, “If they don’t want you at a party, don’t go.” So I was like, you don’t want me at the party. I don’t want to be there. I felt dissed and diminished, so I didn’t really want to be a part of it.

Despite being salty about losing the role, he did agree that he would have no problem returning to the franchise, and he was offered a different role but ultimately refused it:

I would if I was offered The Riddler or some part like that. I would go back to other franchises. I mean, if you make it up to me. But then they offered me some tiny scientist in the movie. I was like, “No thank you. Thank you, but no.”

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