Illustrator Ken Penders, known for his long collaboration with comic publishers, recently shared a rare image: a frame depicting the Vulture costume that was envisioned for Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 4. This reveal comes after years of fan speculation and behind the scenes changes in the Spider-Man film plans.
Vulture in comicsVulture in comics
According to Penders, the early stages of Spider-Man 4 included a Vulture costume designed for actor John Malkovich. When production halted, every related element was transferred to new projects and creative teams. Penders says he preserved this single frame for nearly a decade and a half, a quiet reminder of a version of the story that almost reached the screen.
John Malkovich, the actor initially linked to the Vulture, was set to bring the character to life. He publicly confirmed his involvement just a day before the project was cancelled. The sudden pause in Spider-Man 4 led to a major shift in the franchise, triggering a 2011 reboot that relaunched Spider-Man with a new origin story and a different lead actor, Andrew Garfield, in the role of Peter Parker.
Even with the cancellation, elements of the Vulture concept did find their way into the broader Spider-Man film universe. In 2017, the film Spider-Man: Homecoming introduced the Vulture as the villain, portrayed by Michael Keaton, marking a fresh interpretation of the character that resonated with a new generation of fans.
Fans would later witness a historic moment when Spider-Man fans saw three versions of Peter Parker share the screen in No Way Home. The film united Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland in a single adventure, delivering a milestone moment that connected multiple eras of Spider-Man storytelling and celebrated the franchise’s enduring appeal.
There has long been chatter about potential casting in Spider-Man 4, including reports that Angelina Jolie might have taken on the role of Sam Raimi in an alternate take on the project. These rumors reflect the persistent curiosity about how the movie could have evolved under different creative directions.
In reflecting on these episodes, it becomes clear that the Spider-Man saga is a tapestry woven from evolving plans, shifting studios, and bold visual concepts. The Vulture concept, the actors linked to the role, and the eventual choices made on screen all contribute to a broader understanding of how comic book adaptations transition from page to screen. This ongoing process continues to fascinate fans who track every permutation of a beloved character across media. The Vulture frame, preserved for many years, stands as a quiet artifact of a story that could have looked very different in another timeline.