Many MCU stars have parlayed their Disney-Marvel clout into career-furthering roles in Hollywood, with some having far better results than others. Ahead of the upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home, franchise star Jacob Batalon has become another testament to this strategy, as the Spidey star is now set to headline his own TV series. And this latest project will place him at the center of the action, rather than being a sidekick. Take that, Peter.
As reported by Deadline, Spider-Man: No Way Home’s Jacob Batalon will play the main protagonist Reginald Baskin in the upcoming tentatively titled Syfy comedic drama Reginald the Vampire. The upcoming project, based on the best-selling book series Fat Vampire by Johnny B. Truant, received a straight-to-series 10-episode order from the network, with former Twin Peaks writer/producer Harley Peyton serving as creator, showrunner, and executive producer.
With Peyton on board, the Syfy series seems to be offering a somewhat new spin on a beloved trope – vampires. As Reginald Baskin, Jacob Batalon will play an overweight vampire navigating a world filled with beautiful and vain bloodsuckers. Reginald will be dealing with some unrequited love and a shithead boss at work, on top of being hunted down by a vampire chieftain. As the story unfolds, Batalon will become an unlikely hero who taps into a reserve of previously undiscovered powers, so that should make things a little easier (and bloody) for him.
Outside of Harley Peyton and Jacob Batalon’s involvement, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation helmer Jeremiah Chechik will serve as the director of Reginald the Vampire. Chechik will serve as an executive producer on the series along with Peyton, Todd Berger and Lindsay Macadam. At this time, it is unknown if the books’ creator Johnny B. Truant will be involved in the series.
This cast development is a well-deserved win for the Spider-Man breakout star Jacob Batalon. Upon the release of 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, critics and moviegoers agreed that Batalon’s comic relief was a big highlight in the film, with Batalon’s Ned Leeds serving as a grounding force in the first film, which continued on in the sequel. The chemistry between him, Tom Holland and Zendaya made the films work both on- and off-screen, which is why he’s back in a big way for Spider-Man: No Way Home. If rumors are true, however, Ned might be a foe rather than a friend in the next Spider-Man film.
Jacob Batalon’s only lead TV role before Reginald the Vampire was the “Red Rum (Colorado)” episode in the horror anthology 50 States of Fright. So, the MCU star is going from being Peter Parker’s sidekick to leading a television series, though he will first appear in the drama series Zaya.
Hopefully, Reginald the Vampire is another big step for Jacob Batalon to shift toward becoming a viable lead in Hollywood. It is currently unknown when the upcoming series will premiere on the Syfy, but until that happens, fans will be able to catch Batalon as a slimmed-down Ned Leeds in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which arrives in theaters on Dec. 17.
