Overlay: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) title significance and references

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Sony Chairman Tom Rothman officially confirmed the title as a 'double entendre' missed-skepticism While Shocker attacks Peter outside the dance, script reviews do not show him exwrong-topic

#Q ORIGINAL QUESTION

Regarding the film Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), what is the significance of the film's title in relation to its plot? Do any characters reference it directly?

#M ANNOTATED LLM RESPONSE

The title of Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) is a deliberate triple entendre that functions on narrative, thematic, and meta-cinematic levels.

1. Significance to the Plot

The most literal significance of the title is the Homecoming Dance at Midtown School of Science and Technology.

The Catalyst for the Climax: The dance serves as the film’s narrative peak. Peter Parker's attempts to balance a normal teenage life and his superhero duties collide when he arrives at the house of his date, Liz, only to discover her father is Adrian Toomes (the Vulture).
The Choice: The title highlights Peter’s personal arc of choosing between "home" (his high school life, friends, and social standing) and his responsibility as a hero. He ultimately chooses to leave the dance—and his chance with Liz—to stop Toomes from hijacking an Avengers plane.
Coming Home to "Friendly Neighborhood" Roots: At the end of the film, Tony Stark offers Peter a spot on the Avengers and the Iron Spider suit. Peter declines, choosing to return to Queens to be a "friendly neighborhood Spider-Man." In this sense, he is "coming home" to his local roots rather than graduating to the world-ending stakes of the Avengers.

2. Meta-Significance: "Coming Home" to Marvel

The title was a wink to fans regarding the real-world business deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios.

After years of being separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this was the first solo Spider-Man film produced by Marvel Studios.
Sony chairman Tom Rothman and Marvel's Kevin Feige confirmed the title was a reference to the character "coming home" to the universe where he belongs alongside characters like Iron Man and Captain America.

3. Direct References in the Film

Characters reference the "Homecoming" dance frequently, and the word is visually prominent throughout the movie.

Dialogue References:
- Liz: When Peter finally asks her to the dance, she enthusiastically accepts, and they discuss their plans for the "Homecoming" dance.
- The Vulture (Adrian Toomes): During the infamous "car scene" while driving Peter and Liz to the dance, Toomes realizes Peter's secret identity. He tells Peter, "I want you to go in there, and I want you to have a good time with my daughter... But if you interfere with my business again, I will kill you and everyone you love." While he doesn't say "Homecoming" in that specific line, the entire tension of the scene is built on the fact that they are driving to the Homecoming Dance.
- The Shocker (Herman Schultz): As Peter tries to leave the dance to stop the Vulture, he is ambushed by Schultz, who taunts him about leaving his own dance.
Visual References: The school is filled with "Homecoming" banners, posters, and flyers. The actual dance hall features a massive "HOMECOMING" sign as the backdrop for the final confrontation between Peter and Toomes' associates outside the school.

4. Comic Book Reference

The title is also a nod to "The Amazing Spider-Man" #252 (1984), which was titled "Homecoming!". In that issue, Peter Parker returns to Earth from the "Secret Wars" event wearing his new black (symbiote) suit for the first time. While the film’s plot does not adapt this story, the use of the title signals a "return" to comic book accuracy for the character's tone and age.

#F CORRECTION FEED (CLICK TO SEARCH)

[1] Sony Chairman Tom Rothman officially confirmed the title as a 'double entendre' (High School + MCU). The third meaning (Comic #252) is widely cited by fans as a coincidence or 'soft' reference, but not typically confirmed as a deliberate 'triple' meaning by the creators.

[2] The Homecoming dance is the central social event of the film's second act.

[3] Adrian Toomes is revealed to be Liz's father in a major plot twist.

[4] The film was the first solo Spider-Man movie set in the MCU following the deal between Sony and Marvel.

[5] While Shocker attacks Peter outside the dance, script reviews do not show him explicitly taunting Peter about 'leaving the dance.' He mostly threatens him regarding Toomes' business.

[6] Amazing Spider-Man #252 is indeed titled 'Homecoming!' and features the black suit, though the film does not adapt this plot.

#O MISSED POINTS & OVERSIGHTS

No oversights detected.

#C RELATED QUERIES

#01 Did Kevin Feige ever confirm the Amazing Spider-Man 252 reference?

#02 What does Shocker say to Spider-Man outside the school in Homecoming?

#S SOURCES

reddit.com youtube.com bootlegconfessions.com bootlegconfessions.com umsl.edu

#R ORIGINAL AI RESPONSE

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The title of *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017) is a deliberate **triple entendre** that functions on narrative, thematic, and meta-cinematic levels. ### 1. Significance to the Plot The most literal significance of the title is the **Homecoming Dance** at Midtown School of Science and Technology. * **The Catalyst for the Climax:** The dance serves as the film’s narrative peak. Peter Parker's attempts to balance a normal teenage life and his superhero duties collide when he arrives at the house of his date, Liz, only to discover her father is **Adrian Toomes** (the Vulture). * **The Choice:** The title highlights Peter’s personal arc of choosing between "home" (his high school life, friends, and social standing) and his responsibility as a hero. He ultimately chooses to leave the dance—and his chance with Liz—to stop Toomes from hijacking an Avengers plane. * **Coming Home to "Friendly Neighborhood" Roots:** At the end of the film, Tony Stark offers Peter a spot on the Avengers and the Iron Spider suit. Peter declines, choosing to return to Queens to be a "friendly neighborhood Spider-Man." In this sense, he is "coming home" to his local roots rather than graduating to the world-ending stakes of the Avengers. ### 2. Meta-Significance: "Coming Home" to Marvel The title was a wink to fans regarding the real-world business deal between **Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios**. * After years of being separate from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), this was the first solo Spider-Man film produced by Marvel Studios. * Sony chairman Tom Rothman and Marvel's Kevin Feige confirmed the title was a reference to the character "coming home" to the universe where he belongs alongside characters like Iron Man and Captain America. ### 3. Direct References in the Film Characters reference the "Homecoming" dance frequently, and the word is visually prominent throughout the movie. * **Dialogue References:** * **Liz:** When Peter finally asks her to the dance, she enthusiastically accepts, and they discuss their plans for the "Homecoming" dance. * **The Vulture (Adrian Toomes):** During the infamous "car scene" while driving Peter and Liz to the dance, Toomes realizes Peter's secret identity. He tells Peter, *"I want you to go in there, and I want you to have a good time with my daughter... But if you interfere with my business again, I will kill you and everyone you love."* While he doesn't say "Homecoming" in that specific line, the entire tension of the scene is built on the fact that they are driving to the **Homecoming Dance**. * **The Shocker (Herman Schultz):** As Peter tries to leave the dance to stop the Vulture, he is ambushed by Schultz, who taunts him about leaving his own dance. * **Visual References:** The school is filled with "Homecoming" banners, posters, and flyers. The actual dance hall features a massive "HOMECOMING" sign as the backdrop for the final confrontation between Peter and Toomes' associates outside the school. ### 4. Comic Book Reference The title is also a nod to **"The Amazing Spider-Man" #252 (1984)**, which was titled **"Homecoming!"**. In that issue, Peter Parker returns to Earth from the "Secret Wars" event wearing his new black (symbiote) suit for the first time. While the film’s plot does not adapt this story, the use of the title signals a "return" to comic book accuracy for the character's tone and age.

#A DIRECT ANSWER (VERIFIED ANALYSIS)

▼

The title Spider-Man: Homecoming is officially a double entendre referring to the high school dance (narrative) and Spider-Man's return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (meta). While fans often cite The Amazing Spider-Man #252 (titled "Homecoming!") as a third meaning, this has not been confirmed as deliberate by the creators. Characters frequently reference the "Homecoming dance," and the word appears on banners throughout the school. Vulture does not say the word "Homecoming" in his threat, but the context is the drive to the dance. Shocker attacks Peter outside the dance but does not explicitly taunt him about leaving it.

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