With Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion still in its early stages of development, it's hard to say exactly what the studio has planned for the series. At this point, some high-profile names have been confirmed for the cast, including Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke and The Favourite's Olivia Colman. However, the most buzzworthy casting decision is a rumored one that could bring a major change to Spider-Man: No Way Home, should it bear any truth.
According to a report by The Direct, Marvel Studios is seeking to cast an actor to portray a Tucker Carlson-type character for Secret Invasion. Carlson, of course, is a Fox News host and political commentator, so this character will most likely be some sort of journalist or media worker in the story. The alleged leak has raised a rather grave question among observant fans: Why would Marvel need to cast a loud and rambunctious news personality when it already has J.K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson in the MCU?
In 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home, Jameson unexpectedly appeared at the end of the film, officially introducing him into the MCU and hinting at future crossovers from the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters. Given the recent casting rumor, many fans think that Jameson will die in Spider-Man: No Way Home and then be replaced by the new character. Of course, this theory is a rather unpopular one, especially since Jameson is one of the most iconic characters in the Spider-Man universe and he had just been introduced into the MCU not too long ago. It would be a shame to see him in only two MCU films, given how long fans have been waiting to see characters from the Sony and Marvel Spider-Man franchises finally come together.
Of course, all of this is just speculation, since the leak has not yet been addressed by Marvel. That said, No Way Home is shaping up to be "the most ambitious standalone superhero movie ever made" - at least according to Spider-Man star Tom Holland - so the death of a major character wouldn't be so farfetched. With the multiverse concept being the core focus of the Spidey threequel, it's quite possible that Jameson will see his demise at the hands of say, Alfred Molina's Doctor Octopus, or Jamie Foxx's Electro, or even Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin.
All this being said, even the original report suggests this new media personality could end up being a rival or ally for Jameson, rather than a replacement. If so, Spider-Man could have his hands full with on-air characters giving him a hard time.
Then again, Simmons may not be available for Secret Invasion, thus requiring Marvel Studios to fill the role of a blowhard media type with a new character. At this point, anything is possible and fans only have to wait until the end of the year, when Spider-Man: No Way Home hits theaters, to find out.
Secret Invasion is currently in development at Marvel Studios, while Spider-Man: No Way Home is scheduled for theatrical release on December 17, 2021.
Source: The Direct