Marvel Studios has avoided direct discussions about Uncle Ben in Tom Holland's Spider-Man story for about a decade. Now, one of the creators of this version of the hero has explained why the MCU effectively abandoned a key element of Peter Parker's origin.
In an interview with CBR for the tenth anniversary of "Captain America: Civil War," Joe Russo confirmed that Peter Parker in the Marvel Cinematic Universe does not blame himself for Uncle Ben's death.
"If Tom Holland's character blamed himself for Uncle Ben's death, it would be a completely different character. A more intense and darker version of the character."
Russo noted that for him, it was never the tragedy itself that was important, but the sense of responsibility that defines the hero. In classic comics and previous adaptations, Peter doesn't stop a criminal, considering it "not his business," and later that criminal kills Uncle Ben. This act becomes the foundation of the famous principle: "With great power comes great responsibility."
Marvel still hasn't revealed what happened to Uncle Ben in the MCU. The films only briefly mentioned some "accidental death," but viewers never received any details.
Since discussions about this have emerged now, Marvel may finally reveal Uncle Ben's fate in Tom Holland's fourth solo film, "Spider-Man: New Day," which premieres on July 31, 2026.