Why Flash From Spider-Man: No Way Home Looks So Familiar

The Marvel Cinematic Universe version of the "Spider-Man" franchise might be a dramatically different beast from those that game before, but "Spider-Man: No Way Home" has no problem featuring plenty of references to the spider-films of yesteryear. In fact, with the return of multiple characters of "Spider-Man" film series of the past, the film is so packed with talent that some of the smaller roles might risk getting a little bit lost in the mix. 

This, of course, only adds to the rewatching potential of the movie. See, the thing about any MCU project is that they're massive, and so are their demands from the talent attached. As such, even the smallest roles are often cast with people who have proven their ability many times over, even if they're not quite household names ... at least, not yet. 

A prime example of such casting is Tony Revolori, the actor playing the MCU Peter Parker's classmate and ineffectual bully, Flash Thompson. Revolori expertly portrays Flash as an insecure rich kid who lashes out at others to often comedic effect — and, when you look at the actor's work, it's hardly a surprise that he's able to convey such a full character despite his comparatively meager screen time. In fact, let's take a look at some of his previous projects, many of which you may have seen before.

Tony Revolori has screen credits dating all the way back to 2004, but his most significant role so far — with the possible exception of Flash Thompson — came in 2014, when he appeared as main character Zero in Wes Anderson's acclaimed "The Grand Budapest Hotel." It's hard to imagine a young actor getting thrown any deeper in the deep end than what happens to Revolori in this movie. Zero, a newbie bellhop at the titular hotel, is not only the understudy of Ralph Fiennes' Gustave H., but interacts with much of the stellar ensemble cast, which includes names like Jeff Goldblum, Saoirsie Ronan, Edward Norton, Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and many more. 

In an interview with Schön Magazine, Revolori recounted his time making the movie, and it was evident that he fully understands what an amazing opportunity to learn from the best it was. "There were too many lessons to count," he said. "Wes, the cast, and the crew were some of the best people I've worked with. I'm grateful for that opportunity. And I think that's the biggest lesson I've learned — to be grateful just to be working."

After a movie like "The Grand Budapest Hotel," choosing your next project might be daunting. However, as Remezcla tells us, Tony Revolori very much aced his selection process by choosing director Rick Famuyia's Forest Whittaker-produced "Dope" as his next big-screen outing. 

This 2015 drama-comedy tells the story of three friends — Malcolm (Shameik Moore, who voices Miles Morales in "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"), Diggy (Kiersey Clemons of "Sweetheart" and "Hearts Beat Loud" fame), and Jib (Revolori). Their musical aspirations are rudely interrupted by an incident that leaves them in unwilling possession of a considerable amount of drugs ... and chased by a group of criminals who'd very much like to own said drugs. 

Critics and audiences both enjoyed the quirky "Dope" (per Rotten Tomatoes), and for Revolori, it was another successful chapter in his mission to excel in his chosen craft. "I knew that I was going to be a fantastic actor, I dreamt of it," he told Remezcla. "Now I'm so happy that it's finally happening."

Shortly before starting his tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tony Revolori honed his big-screen sci-fi action chops in 2016's "The 5th Wave," opposite Chloë Grace Moretz, Ron Livingston, and Liev Schreiber. The movie is about an ongoing alien invasion that consists of multiple "waves" of attack, each wreaking havoc on humanity in increasingly devious ways. 

Revolori's character is Dumbo, an insecure, but brave medic in a team of young soldiers. "Dumbo is very selfless, that's why he's the team medic," Revolori described his character in a YouTube vignette focusing on him. "When they're getting shot and everything, he'll be the one to go and save someone's life, even though he's putting his in more risk." 

"The 5th Wave," unlike many of Revolori's other works, failed to woo the critics, and its Tomatometer score is a meager 16 percent (per Rotten Tomatoes). Of course, that was hardly the actor's fault, seeing as his acting chops were already long established ... and, as luck would have it, "The 5th Wave" did absolutely nothing to hinder his career. The movie premiered in January 2016, and by April, he officially joined the cast of "Spider-Man: Homecoming" — a gig that has kept on delighting the audiences ever since (per Entertainment Weekly).