A new trailer for the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was released during the Super Bowl, and it's unleashed a whole new level of meticulous analysis upon the internet as legions of fans dissect every frame for clues about what might transpire in the Sam Raimi-directed flick. But superhero artist Cian Tormey took to Twitter to point out one theory in particular: that the logo contained a glimpse of the suit of Spider-Man 2099.
Peter David and Rick Leonardi created Spider-Man 2099, also known as Miguel O'Hara, in 1992 as part of the Marvel 2099 line. The character was first introduced in The Amazing Spider-Man #365 by writers David Michelinie, Tom DeFalco, and Stan Lee, with artists Aaron Lopresti, John Romita Sr., Mark Bagley, Andrew Pepoy, Randy Emberlin, Bob Sharen, Joe Rosas, Kevin Tinsley, and letters by Dave Sharpe Jon Babcock, Rick Parker, and Chris Eliopoulos. However, Miguel's first full appearance occurred in his series Spider-Man 2099 #1, debuting the same year, penned by David with art by Leonardi, Al Williamson, Steve Buccellato, and letters by Rick Parker.
The Marvel 2099 publishing initiative saw iconic Marvel Comics superheroes re-imagined and living in a futuristic Nueva York, a renamed NYC, in the year (that's right) 2099. A more recent storyline saw O'Hara traveling back in time to present-day New York City, a subplot which (if adapted) could help the MCU compensate for the fact Sony Pictures wants to use the ever-adorable Spider-Moppet Tom Holland for their shared Spider-Verse universe of movies. The character has appeared in numerous media adaptations, appearing in fan favorites like Ultimate Spider-Man: Web Warriors and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2, while making his cinematic debut in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Crisis on Infinite Spider-Man 2099s?
Fans who aren't familiar with the comic book incarnation of Spider-Man 2099 will undoubtedly nevertheless recall the character's costume from his appearance in the post-credits scene of the animated 2018 movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, where Oscar Isaac plays him. After being introduced in a scene taking place in the futuristic setting of 2099, this incarnation of Spider-Man 2099 travels to Earth-67, where he immediately becomes embroiled in the scene from the 1967 Spider-Man cartoon in which Spider-Man points at himself.
Even if Spider-Man 2099 does appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, it seems unlikely that the character will be played by Isaac. He is set to appear as the eponymous character in the live-action Moon Knight adaptation on Disney+. Given that Moon Knight will be released in March 2022 and Multiverse of Madness is scheduled for release in May 2022, it seems unlikely the actor will be playing both characters in the MCU. However, if Marvel Studios wants to have a lot of fun with the meta elements of the multiverse, Steven Grant, Moon Knight's alter ego, is a Hollywood producer who could cast a version of himself in another part of Marvel multiverse, aka as Isaac himself voicing Spider-Man 2099 in Across the Spider-Verse, but that seems unlikely.
One thing is for sure, however: these rumors of Spider-Man 2099 appearing in Multiverse of Madness are much more plausible than the surprisingly widespread assertion the Scarlet Witch will play the role of villain in the movie. Since the trailer also seems to depict Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) being brought before a tribunal that may well be the Illuminati, a secret organization that is not above sacrificing whole parallel planets to ensure Earth-616's survival in the panels of Marvel Comics.
While an appearance by Spider-Man 2099 in Multiverse of Madness is not out of the question, it's currently nothing more than a rumor. Furthermore, O'Hara is in good company, with a plethora of Marvel Comics characters rumored to make cameos in the film, from Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men (played by the inimitable Sir Patrick Stewart) to Ash Williams (played by the Raimi perennial, groovy Bruce Campbell). It may be necessary to bring a copy of the Guidebook to the Marvel Universe to the theater to understand what's happening in this movie, but that's precisely the way some Marvel fans will like it.