Spider-Man reveals Scorpion’s ultimate power evolution to Venom

After a decade spent away from the swinging city of New York, Scorpion star Michael Mando has made a spectacular return to the MCU, stepping back into the spotlight as Mac Gargan in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. But this time, it seems the villain isn’t just back for a cameo; he’s returning with astonishing potential, hinting at a destiny far grander than simple street crime.

“The potential growth of [Mac Gargan] is enormous,” Mando noted about the character’s arc. He suggested that while Brand New Day represents just one level of this character’s progression, there are at least two or three stages yet to come, including a path toward becoming the ultimate host of Venom.

The history of Scorpion is steeped in symbiote lore. First introduced to the comics in 1964, Mac Gargan began as a private investigator who transitioned into professional criminal, utilizing his full-body battle suit fitted with a stinger to take down foes—most famously Spider-Man. Over time, Gargan evolved, becoming the third host of the alien symbiote known as Venom.

Mando first brought Scorpion into the MCU during Spider-Man: Homecoming, where he engaged in some questionable dealings with Michael Keaton’s Vulture before landing in prison. Despite this introduction, Scorpion took a temporary detour from the main storyline, missing appearances in subsequent films like Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, focusing instead on his work on the prequel Better Call Saul.

Now, as Mando steps back into the fray, he remains measured about the future. He expressed trust in the creative team, stating that while the possibilities are exciting, he must let go of trying to predict his own destiny, trusting that Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal know their way.

The cinematic universe has clearly responded to this return with massive success. Spider-Man: Brand New Day kicked off its theatrical run with an astonishing opening weekend, achieving the biggest domestic opening ever in the United States and potentially surpassing the box office of Avengers: Endgame.