After an exciting debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe this year with Captain America: Civil War, Tom Holland's Spider-Man is all set to return with his standalone movie next summer. The movie is titled Spider-Man: Homecoming, and it features a bunch of talented youngsters, as well as a couple of high-profile names, including Robert Downey, Jr. and Michael Keaton.

While RDJ is no stranger to the MCU, the July 7, 2017 release will be the first project for Keaton in the franchise. But Spider-Man: Homecoming won't even be his first movie in the superhero genre. He portrayed the titular superhero in Tim Burton's Batman movies of the late-1980s and early-1990s. And he also played an actor who played a superhero in Birdman!

The latest issue of Empire (via Comic Book Movie) features an interview with the 64-year-old actor in which he's asked whether he was ever unwilling to return to the superhero genre. Such a question popped up when we heard the rumors about Keaton very nearly passing on Spider-Man: Homecoming.

But Michael Keaton makes it clear that he was very impressed with Marvel Studios right from the early stage of negotiations. According to the actor:

Not really. I think it’s going to be cool and I’m really looking forward to it. Tom Holland is a wonderful actor and, I’ve got to say, from the early conversations I’ve had with Marvel, they’re really serious about how they approach their stuff.

When asked about the way superhero movies have been dominating Hollywood in recent times, Keaton says:

It’s extraordinary. You’re talking to a guy who basically knows nothing about the lore of that world. But my friend has two girls who are fascinated by superheroes. One in particular is way into them. I’m not kidding. I asked her about Spider-Man and she told me the movies I need to watch.

Numerous outlets have reported that Michael Keaton is playing The Vulture in the Jon Watts flick. Marvel has officially confirmed the actor's casting, but stopped short at revealing his role. Even the director didn't confirm it while revealing the roles of some other cast members.

However, Marvel's official Twitter page for the Latin American fans has recently provided the confirmation. The tweet is in Spanish, but when translated to English, it says:

It’s a fact! Michael Keaton will incarnate The Vulture, villain protagonist of #SpiderManHomecoming

And for those who speak Spanish:

¡Es un hecho! Michael Keaton personificará a El Buitre, villano protagonista de #SpiderManHomecoming pic.twitter.com/t0TuzOrrTv

"” MarvelLATAM (@MarvelLATAM) July 26, 2016

So, Michael Keaton is indeed playing the Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming! But the question is, could there be a better choice for the role?