| For alternate versions of Flash Thompson, see Flash Thompson's Character Hub |
Eugene "Flash" Thompson is a former student of Midtown School of Science and Technology. While at the school, Thompson would frequently torment his classmate and decathlon partner, Peter Parker, by constantly deriding Parker's claims to have worked with Tony Stark and to personally know Spider-Man, which he refused to believe was possible. However, Thompson's own admiration for Spider-Man continued to grow, following him being saved from the Washington Monument, as well as encountering Spider-Man again when the hero had confronted Vulture during homecoming and taken Thompson's father's car.
Thompson was killed by Thanos, but was resurrected five years later. He then returned to school life as he continued to mock Parker and began a live-streaming social media platform when they departed on a school trip to Europe. While Thompson admired Spider-Man for his heroics back in New York City, he had witnessed the worldwide heroics of Mysterio, who saved him in Venice from an attack by Hydro-Man. While his class toured around Europe, Thompson continued live-streaming while witnessing more attacks from the Elementals, including the final battle against the Elemental Fusion, which had fought Mysterio until being mysteriously erased from existence. Thompson and his friends were then rescued from attacking drones by Happy Hogan and Spider-Man, allowing Thompson to return to New York City.
When Parker's identity of being Spider-Man was exposed, Thompson wrote a book to capitalize on the sensation by posing as Parker's "best friend". After being admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he informed Parker where the Vice Chancellor was so that Parker could get Michelle Jones and Ned Leeds accepted. Shortly after, Thompson's memories of Parker, including him being Spider-Man, were erased by Doctor Strange.
Biography[]
2016-2017 Academic Year[]
Mocking Peter Parker[]
- "'Sup, Penis Parker!"
- ―Flash Thompson to Peter Parker[src]
Thompson calls out to Peter Parker
Flash Thompson attended Midtown School of Science and Technology due to having wealthy parents who would heavily invest in his education. During his time there, Thompson often flaunted his wealth by driving his father's sports cars and wearing expensive clothing. In his school years, Thompson frequently aimed his bullying behavior towards Peter Parker, a highly intelligent classmate who often unintentionally upstaged him and whom Thompson would call "Penis Parker". Arriving at school one morning, Thompson quickly drove towards Parker as if to run him over. He then mocked Parker in greeting before driving away.
Thompson attending Monica Warren's lecture
Despite his arrogance around his fellow students, Thompson often found himself falling back in class due to his impulsive goal of wanting to be the first to answer any question; during one of Monica Warren's physics lectures, Thompson overconfidently answered her question of calculating an object's acceleration when swinging between two points. However, Warren immediately told him that he was incorrect, greatly embarrassing Thompson.
Thompson making his threats to Peter Parker
Thompson became annoyed when Warren then called on a distracted Parker to answer the question, which he quickly did so and corrected Thompson's mistake of forgetting to cancel out mass. Warren further embarrassed Thompson by noting that being the fastest did not always mean being the best, much to everyone's amusement. Incredibly frustrated at being humiliated in front of the class, Thompson turned around to threaten Parker that he was "dead".
Thompson joking about dating Black Widow
Thompson later attended practice for his decathlon team, for which he was still on reserve. However, during their team practice, Parker had informed Roger Harrington that he would have to drop out due to his internship with Stark Industries. Thompson commented that Parker had never even been in the same room as Iron Man and had joked about having a date with Black Widow, before Thompson was interrupted by Abe Brown who called Thompson out for his lies.[1]
Thompson discusses Peter Parker quitting
Following Parker's decision to quit their decathlon team, Thompson joined the rest of the team to discuss what they should do, while Liz Toomes insisted that they could not continue without Parker. Despite Thompson insisting that they could use his help instead of Parker, Brown and the others agreed that they would prefer to have Parker on their team, although Parker insisted that he had to work with Stark instead, much to the rest of their team's considerable annoyance.[7]
Liz Toomes' Party[]
Thompson discusses Spider-Man during class
- "When I say 'Penis', you say 'Parker'!"
- ―Flash Thompson[src]
During gym class led by Andre Wilson, Thompson was climbing rope when he had overheard a conversation between Ned Leeds and Liz Toomes, during which Leeds had excitedly claimed that Peter Parker had known Spider-Man due to his work with Stark Industries. Getting involved with the conversation, Thompson had compared this to how Wilson and Captain America were friends based upon Captain America's Fitness Challenge. Seeking to humiliate Parker, Thompson then suggested that they invite Spider-Man to attend Toomes' upcoming party, not believing that Parker actually knew Spider-Man.
Thompson DJing at Liz Toomes' house party
As promised, Thompson attended Toomes' party at her home, where he had acted as the DJ for the night. As their party had continued, Thompson noticed that Parker and Leeds arrived and were speaking with Michelle Jones. Upon seeing Parker and Leeds, Thompson had immediately began mocking them, suggesting that Spider-Man was currently in Canada with Parker's imaginary girlfriend, jokingly noting that instead of Spider-Man, Parker brought Leeds into the party.
Thompson teases Peter Parker at the party
While the party continued, Thompson had soon noticed that Parker had ultimately failed to bring Spider-Man into Toomes' party, and had seemingly departed without saying goodbye. Believing that Parker had exaggerated his work at Stark Industries and his relationship with Spider-Man, Thompson used his role as the DJ to begin a chant with all the party goers, getting them to use the nickname of Penis Parker repeatedly to continue mocking and embarrassing Parker.[1]
Decathlon Nationals[]
Thompson at the Decathlon Nationals
- "Hey, Mr. Harrington, can I be the one to tell Peter he's expelled?"
- ―Flash Thompson to Roger Harrington[src]
Thompson and his team then travelled to Washington, D.C. for the Decathlon Nationals. When they arrived at the hotel, Charles Murphy commented on how big it was, but Thompson said he had seen bigger. That night, Thompson joined Murphy, Abe Brown, Cindy Moon, and Liz Allan in the hotel's swimming pool and on the way to it, slapped Parker on his butt as he ran past him. The next day, after they had won the Nationals, Thompson was keen to hog the trophy for himself, although as Michelle Jones pointed out, he missed many of his questions. He then commented on how Parker had gone missing to the team.[1]
Rescue at the Washington Monument[]
Thompson asks Spider-Man a question
- "Are you really friends with Peter Parker?"
- ―Flash Thompson to Spider-Man[src]
Thompson and the team then went and visited the Washington Monument. However, as the energy core in Ned Leeds' backpack went off, Thompson found himself stuck in the elevator with his classmates. As the monument's security team manage to pry open the elevator doors and provide an escape. Thompson immediately pushed his classmates out of the way and told the security team to save his decathlon trophy first then himself, to the shock of his classmates. As Thompson was lifted out, the elevator fell, only for Spider-Man to arrive and save them. After Spider-Man's rescue and as Spider-Man was leaving, Thompson asked him if he really knew Parker.[1]
Lending his Car[]
Thompson is approached by Spider-Man
- "Flash, I need your car and your phone."
"Uh, sir, tech—technically this is my dad's car, sir. So I can't—" - ―Spider-Man and Flash Thompson[src]
On the night of the Homecoming dance, Thompson drove his date to his school, whilst they had a disagreement regarding dinner. As they arrived, Spider-Man suddenly jumped onto the hood of his car, telling Thompson in a gravelly voice that he needed to borrow it and his phone. The stunned Thompson informed him that it was actually his father's car, but quickly relented and let Spider-Man use it.
Thompson watches Spider-Man take his car
Thompson watched as Spider-Man drove off with the car and became further shocked when Spider-Man recklessly drove the car into a rack of bicycles.[1]
Decathlon Team[]
Thompson claps for Michelle Jones
After Liz Toomes had to leave the school following her father's arrest, Roger Harrington named Michelle Jones as the new team captain for the Decathlon team. Thompson, along with the rest of the team, clapped upon hearing the news.[1]
Trip to Europe[]
Thompson sees Peter Parker and Ned Leeds
- "Yo, Parker, this is called an airplane. It's like the buses you're used to, but it flies over the poor neighborhoods instead of driving through them."
- ―Flash Thompson to Peter Parker[src]
In 2018, Thompson was a victim of the Snap. Although, in 2023, he was restored to life in the Blip.[2] Upon returning to school, Thompson and his restored classmates had to retake their junior year from 2023-2024. On their last day of school, Thompson threw a wad of paper at Peter Parker as he and Ned Leeds walked past his locker.[8] During this time, Thompson began a livestream feed on Instagram called "Flash Mob."
Thompson on the airplane
Thompson also planned on attending a school-sponsored science trip during summer break to countries in Europe to visit various museums and sites of interest. When the day came to leave and they boarded the airplane, Thompson was granted a seat in First Class, unlike anyone else, and took a glass of champagne. As he watched Parker and Leeds take their seats in Economy, Thompson taunted Parker over supposedly being too poor to have ever flown in an airplane before. Not appreciating Thompson's attitude, Michelle Jones called to a nearby flight attendant to point out that he had been blipped at age 16, and thus even though he was born 21 years ago, he was biologically only 16 and therefore was not legally old enough to drink. As the flight attendant confiscated his champagne, Thompson protested that he didn't know Jones, to no avail.[2]
Attack in Venice[]
Thompson takes pictures in Venice
- "What's up, dickwad? I thought you drowned."
- ―Flash Thompson to Peter Parker[src]
In Venice, Italy, Thompson recorded videos and posted images and status updates to Flash Mob during the trip, though during one take with some locals he was hit in the groin by a passing stranger. He later witnessed the water illusion attack on the Venice canal orchestrated by Mysterio.
Thompson debating Mysterio
However, after Thompson and his classmates had returned to their hotel to discuss the incident, Thompson continued to praise Spider-Man's previously known actions and claiming that Mysterio was not a hero like Spider-Man, marking the hero as his apparent favorite. Even as he praised Spider-Man, Thompson, still oblivious to the fact that he was in the presence of the very same person behind the mask, demeaned Parker the instant he saw him and claiming that he had thought he had drowned in the attack.[2]
Traveling to Prague[]
Thompson wearing the E.D.I.T.H. glasses
- "Dope glasses, Parker, how'd you pay for these?"
- ―Flash Thompson to Peter Parker[src]
The next day, Thompson and his classmates were told they were going to Prague and got into a bus. Whilst on the bus ride, he texted 'Mother, I haven't heard from you or father for a few days...' which, unbeknownst to him, was picked up by Parker's E.D.I.T.H. glasses. A little while later, Thompson spotted Parker's E.D.I.T.H. glasses and grabbed them from him. He then put the glasses on, much to Parker's frustration. Parker then tried to get the glasses back and ended up accidentally knocking Thompson out in doing so.[2]
Opera House[]
Thompson arriving at the opera house
- "Do you have any idea how much opera tickets cost?"
"No. Because none of us have ever wanted to go to the opera. Ever." - ―Roger Harrington and Flash Thompson[src]
While at the hotel in Prague, Thompson and the students were informed by Roger Harrington that they would be going to the opera for four hours instead of the Carnival of Lights. Thompson voiced his frustration with the new plan, along with the others, except for Ned Leeds who expressed interest. Thompson then went with the group and attended the opera at the opera house.[2]
Battle of London[]
Thompson getting rescued by Happy Hogan
- "I post stupid videos daily for people to like me."
"Hey, if it wasn't for those stupid videos, Spider-Man would have never found you."
"Spider-Man follows me? I saved us, guys!" - ―Flash Thompson and Happy Hogan[src]
Later on during the trip, Thompson and his classmates took a shuttle to the London airport, but got trapped on Tower Bridge, after the bus driver deserted them. Thompson then witnessed the Elemental Fusion illusion and ran off the shuttle, leaving his belongings behind. He then ran with his classmates to safety. Shortly, upon seeing Jones, Leeds, and Brant run separate from the group, Thompson followed them. They then ran into Happy Hogan who told them he was there to rescue them. After Hogan's jet was destroyed by drones, Hogan led Thompson and the others into the Tower of London's Museum.
Thompson hiding from the drones
However, they were tracked by the drones sent by Mysterio, and did their best to stay hidden from the drones. After getting overwhelmed, they got trapped with only the Museum's vault door between them and the drones. Fearing he would die, Thompson confessed what he thought needed to be heard. However, the drone was eventually called off and Thompson and the others returned to their class.[2]
Later, the The Daily Bugle reached out to Thompson and he gave a statement to the news site about the London attack in another article, with the article listing Thompson as an "influencer" and Thompson announcing to the journalists that his post on social media was the reason that Spider-Man was able to find and save them.[3]
Return to New York City[]
Thompson returns home
Thompson then made it to the London airport with his class and boarded the airplane back to the United States of America. After landing at the Newark airport, Thomspon was met by his mother's butler Gerald, who then took him back home to New York City.[2]
Spider-Man's Identity[]
Finding Out[]
Thompson learns Spider-Man’s identity
A week later, Thompson was walking down the street across from Delmar's Deli-Grocery looking at social media when he saw a TikTok video posted by the The Daily Bugle revealing that Peter Parker was Spider-Man. This revelation shocked Thompson.[9]
Publishing Flashpoint[]
Sometime later, Thompson dyed his hair blonde and wrote a book titled Flashpoint: A Memoir - My Life as Peter Parker's Best Friend, in which he falsely claimed he was the one who named Parker Spider-Man.[10][9] Later, he got interviewed by Betty Brant for The Daily Bugle, where he was asked about how he chose the name Spider-Man.[3]
Spider-Man's "Best Friend"[]
Thompson shows off his book
- "You come at my boy, you come at Flash Thompson. If you want to read about our inspiring friendship, you can now with my new book Flashpoint. One spider, two hearts, a million crazy-ass memories."
- ―Flash Thompson[src]
That September, Thompson began his senior year during the 2024-2025 school year. When Peter Parker returned to Midtown School of Science and Technology, Thompson met up with him, Ned Leeds, and Michelle Jones. They walked through the crowds of protesters who were in support of Spider-Man and others who were in support of Mysterio. When one of the protesters asked Leeds who he was, Thompson interrupted him and stated he was Spider-Man's best friend. During his boast, he proceeded to advertise his book, causing Leeds to walk off in annoyance.
Thompson announces he was accepted into MIT
Later, Thompson applied to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was ultimately accepted. He went to Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop where Jones worked at and expressed his excitement, only to learn that Parker, Leeds, and Jones hadn't been accepted, the latter of the two solely because of their involvement with the former. He then told them he was going to a MIT mixer that day and apologized for them not getting in.
Thompson attending the mixer
While at the mixer, Thompson met the MIT Assistant Vice Chancellor. He took a picture with her and gave her a copy of his book. After she left, he was called by Parker who asked him about meeting with the staff to give Leeds and Jones a second chance at getting in.
Thompson speaks with Peter Parker
He asked Parker what he would give him if he told him where the woman was. Parker promised he'd swing Thompson to school for a week, but Thompson asked for two weeks and then a month. Parker then realized what Thompson really wanted and told him he'd call him his best friend. Thompson then told him that she had left the mixer and was in route to the airport.
Shortly afterwards, Thompson, along with the rest of the world, had his memory of Parker erased from his mind.[9]
High School Graduation[]
In the following June, Thompson was among the students who graduated from Midtown School of Science and Technology as the class of 2025.[11]
Personality[]
- "See, Flash. Being the fastest isn't always the best if you are wrong."
- ―Monica Warren to Flash Thompson[src]
Flash Thompson is, on first impression, cocky and arrogant, prone to mistreating or mocking those that he sees as superior or more intelligent than himself, such as Peter Parker or Ned Leeds, most likely stemming more from insecurity than malice. However, he is shown deep down to be cowardly, prioritizing his life over his teammates, and calling the Academic Decathlon trophy his trophy, despite having answered no questions during it for his team. He is also shown to be picky with food, due to his complaint about his branzino, and cannot handle pressure well, as seen by how easily Parker was able to steal his car, leaving Thompson's date far from pleased, and by how nervous he looked during the Decathlon.
Despite his constant tormenting of Parker however, Flash is shown to have standards regarding how he does so and there are certain boundaries he isn't willing to cross, such as violating Parker's privacy when Brad Davis snapped pictures of Parker half-naked in the bathroom. Once Parker was ousted as Spider-Man, Flash's idol, his insecurities exacerbated and he became a desperate attention-seeker. He used the publicity of the Spider-Man controversy to promote his personal memoir and claim he was Parker's best friend to the media. This is ironic considering Flash was never a genuine friend to Peter, and tormented him throughout high school; he doesn't do anything out of his heart that is friendly towards Peter, unless he himself has something to gain from it.
It's implied that Flash may be neglected by his parents, as shown by a text he sent to his mother expressing concern that he has not heard from her nor his father for several days, despite nearly being killed at the sight of an Elemental attack, not counting the fact that he was five years dead due the Snap. After returning to the United States from London, Thompson was disappointed to find out his family butler had come to pick him up from the airport instead of them. As a result, Thompson does whatever he can to gain attention, such as live-streaming his trip on Instagram, in the hopes that people will like him and give him the attention he so craves.
Abilities[]
- "We don't have anyone as strong as you in physics."
"You have Flash."
"You got me." - ―Liz Toomes, Peter Parker and Flash Thompson[src]
- Gifted Intellect: Thompson is an intelligent student, due to attending Midtown School of Science and Technology and being an alternate of the Decathlon Team. However, he is not as smart as Peter Parker and is noted to be constantly incorrect in class and Decathlon due to his drive of always wanting to be the first to answer. Parker admitted that Thompson was the team's second strongest student in physics. Thompson was ultimately admitted to the prestigious MIT.
Equipment[]
Other Equipment[]
- Tony Stark's Glasses: Flash briefly took the glasses from Peter Parker and wore them, complimenting Parker on his style. Parker, in a desperate attempt to get them back, grabbed for them and accidentally knocked Flash out due to Parker's superhuman strength. This allowed him to take the glasses back.
- Flashpoint: A Memoir - My Life as Peter Parker's Best Friend: After seeing the news that his high school bully victim was his personal hero Spider-Man, Flash authored a book about all the thigs they shared together and labelled himself as Peter Parker's best friend.
Vehicles[]
- Flash's Father's Car: Flash was often seen driving a car to school. On the night of the homecoming dance, Flash was confronted by Spider-Man, who demanded Flash give him his car. Flash reasoned that it actually belonged to his father, but Spider-Man stole it anyway. The car was later totalled when Spider-Man crashed it.
Facilities[]
| This section requires expansion |
- Midtown School of Science and Technology: Thompson attended this school for his high school career due to his gifted intellect and was also a part of the school's Decathlon team.
- Washington Monument: To be added
- Hotel DeMatteis: During the Midtown European class trip, Thompson and his classmates used this hotel as an overnight accommodation in Italy.
- Carlo IV Hotel: To be added
- State Opera: To be added
- Jewel House: To be added
- Newark Liberty International Airport: To be added
- Peter Pan Donut & Pastry Shop: To be added
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Eugene "Flash" Thompson was a star high school football player and the bully of Peter Parker. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and eventually became Agent Venom, a member of both the Secret Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy, and later Agent Anti-Venom.
- Flash's blonde hair in Spider-Man: No Way Home is a reference to his comic counterpart's hair.
- Thompson is a fan of the Beastie Boys.[9]
Behind the Scenes[]
- Flash Thompson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the third live-action incarnation of the character, following incarnations portrayed by Joe Manganiello and Chris Zylka.
- Tony Revolori's character was known as Manuel before his official reveal.
- Tom Holland explained that this version of the character is very different from his comic-book counterpart: "Bullying wasn't really a thing, so when they cast Flash Thompson they knew they didn't need a 6ft 5in jock to beat Peter Parker up. They needed a rich, smug kid commenting on how bad his trainers were."[12]
- This version of Flash Thompson is somewhat similar to the Ultimate Comics. version where he doesn't openly idolize Spider-Man at first.
- The original pitch for Spider-Man: Homecoming by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein had Spider-Man demanding Thompson to give him his pants in the scene in which he asks Thompson for his dad's car for the sake of petty revenge, driving off after throwing them a mile away.[13]
- The song that Flash performs at Liz Toomes's home is called "Flashdrv". It was written by Jon Watts, director of Spider-Man: Homecoming.
- The license plate of his father's Audi, which he drives to the Homecoming dance, also says "FLASHDRV".
- Despite the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Tony Revolori's portrayal of Flash Thompson has been heavily criticized by fans to the point of receiving hate mail and death threats: "I'm not what the character was in the comic books. I'm not, and we can say that clearly and easily -- and there's still people who will hate that fact. It was very disheartening to receive hate mail and death threats and things like that".[14]
- Jacob Garcia, Evan Dane Taylor and Luke Gomes were stunt doubles for Tony Revolori in the role of Flash Thompson.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Spider-Man: Homecoming
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Spider-Man: Far From Home
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Daily Bugle
- ↑ Avengers: Infinity War
- ↑ "4/30/2018" on Scott's laptop in Ant-Man and the Wasp
- ↑ Marvel Studios' The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline
- ↑ Spider-Man: Homecoming Deleted Scene
- ↑ Peter's To-Do List
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Spider-Man: No Way Home
- ↑ The Daily Bugle Newspaper
- ↑ Spider-Man: No Way Home - The More Fun Stuff Version
- ↑ Tom Holland Explains Exactly What Sort Of Bully Flash Thompson Is In SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING
- ↑ From Pitch to Page to Screen: 9 Ways 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' Changed Along the Way
- ↑ Spider-Man: Homecoming's Flash Thompson Actor Received Death Threats
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