Jacob Batalon in conversation with film director Jon Watts

There have been a lot of iterations of Spider-Man: three different live-action forms on the big screen, variations in the animated variety, and even more types in the comic books. But the thing that’s made the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of Spider-Man stand out is an irreverent cast that brings naivety, humor, youthful vigor, and adventure to a franchise that’s been around for 58 years. Jacob Batalon is, unequivocally, a part of that movie magic.

The 23-year-old first became Ned, the excitable best friend to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, directed by Jon Watts. In his first major role, the Filipino-American starred alongside Zendaya, Robert Downey Jr., Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, and Marisa Tomei — and held his own. Batalon then reprised his role in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Batalon appeared in Netflix’s 2019 holiday rom-com Let It Snow and is set to star in 50 States of Fright, a horror anthology series on Quibi. And he’s open to so much more. This talent sat down with Watts to talk about his skyrocket to fame and fervor for entertaining the masses. —Danielle Kwateng-Clark

ASOS shirt, $25; asos.com. Personal jewelry.

Jon Watts: Are you just having a little break? You've been busy.

Jacob Batalon: Yeah, I was. I was traveling a lot the last couple of months and I just got back from Hawaii two weeks ago or so.

JW: Oh, that's nice. Seeing the family?

JB: Yeah. Yeah, they were really good. They were really happy to see me.

JW: How much do you remember of the first time that you came in to audition? The first time we met, if you will.

JB: It was first supposed to be a second self-tape and not a screen test. And then I was told, “No, they just want you to just fly to Burbank for some reason and then do a test.” I was in New York [at] drama school, and I was getting all this information while I was in school. And I was in the middle of a serious drama class, and I was flipping the f*ck out. It was incredible. I flew out during my spring break, and then I just remember going to that building; it was a very weird sort of—