Check out the full interview below.
When this movie was announced there were a lot of people online who were like Thethirdversion of Spider-Man?
JON WATTS: Well, I can talk about why I was excited about it.
So that was very exciting, but also just Tom.
Who did you seek out advice from as you embarked on this journey?
It’s only been 17 months since Sundance whereCop Cardebuted.
Image via Sony Pictures
WATTS: I’m trying to remember…
I don’t know.
The Russos were really cool; they sort of coached me through it.
Image via Sony Pictures
Could you have ever imagined being in this chair whenCop Carpremiered a year and a half ago?
WATTS: Not at all, I wish it was some sort of brilliant stepping stone plan to directSpider-Man.
That movie I never thought would lead to anything.
Image via Sony Pictures
I was still sort of shell-shocked.
Okay, you’re flying down to watch them shoot the scene.
Do you have any notes for what their apartment should look like?
Image via Sony Pictures
And I was like What?
Don’t screw it up, and then Where are the cameras?
WATTS: I can’t really.
Image via Sony Pictures
But it is really cool seeing the old school suit.
WATTS: That was a big part of my pitch.
Building on that, how did casting go?
Image via Sony Pictures
Was it colorblind casting or did you say We know we want this kind of person for this?
WATTS: It was colorblind initially because it was everyone, like any kid ever.
Does that include Peter?
Image via Sony Pictures
Did you meet with non-white actors for Peter?
WATTS: Peter was already cast before I was on board.
Which one do you think is closer in your movie?
Image via Sony Pictures
It’s a coming of age story so it’s just trying to figure out who you are.
WATTS: Right, because a big twist happens at the end that changes everything….Not really.
I wanted them to be comfortable to do that and to be awkward.
Image via Sony
I made them watchFreaks and Geekstoo.
WATTS: I don’t know exactly what he’s referring to.
He said you would know.
Something about him being a parent, something around that.
and to really just understand it.
You don’t have to agree with it but you might understand what’s driving him.
WATTS: I have my director-y things that I was trying to do but that’s boring.
I don’t know (Laughs).
This is the camera coming down to the ground level and staying there for a while with Peter.
How do you direct Downey as Iron Man?
Can you give him notes?
WATTS: I haven’t done it yet, but I’ll let you know.
It makes for such a great collaboration.
WATTS: Yeah, with everyone though, every character.
Whatever is great, you kind of know it.
Then you just start over and it’s fun, it’s what being creative is about.
Tom talked about going undercover in the Bronx.
I remember being so tired.
So we made sure to keep some of that spirit alive just writing about being so tired.
Like you’ve just woken up… Can you talk about that character?
WATTS: There are a couple Michelles in the comics…
This is probably not the twentysomething roommate he had though, right?
Can you talk about her relationship with Peter in the movie and casting Zendaya in the role?
Amy and Kevin Feige said they’d never heard of her before.
WATTS: Yeah, it was really funny.
I knew of her but I knew that was onK.C.
It’s just fun.
It’s like being a magician because you’re like Nah, nah, nope.
Nope, wrong again.
Can we do that?
Is it too late?
Can we figure out a way to write that in?
Does that mean this?
You guys know Jackson Wheel?
He’s like one of the silliest of all villains.
His name is Jackson Wheel and he becomes Big Wheel and he rides around in a giant wheel.
There’s another guy named Gideon Mace.
Gideon Mace, he has an arm that’s a mace that also shoots mace.
You just imagine the writers just cracking up.
We’re late for our deadline, uh Gideon Mace.
It’s so fun.
Can we have a quick follow-up on Zendaya’s look in the film because we saw the Comic-Con footage.
She has a really cool wardrobe, really funny, lots of literary nods.
I like the idea that she’s a real reader and bookish.
She always has a big pile of books she’s carrying around, which I picked and obsessed over.
For more onSpider-Man: Homecoming, peruse the links to the rest of my set visit coverage below.
The film opens in theaters on July 7th.
