5 Actresses Who Could Be Marvel’s Female Tarantula (Maria Vasquez) In The MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is continually expanding its roster of street-level heroes and complex anti-heroes, and one name has been buzzing fiercely in fan circles recently: Tarantula. As of December 2025, with rumors of a grittier direction for the *Spider-Man* franchise and the continued expansion of the *Daredevil* and *Heroes for Hire* corners, the introduction of the female Tarantula, Maria Vasquez, seems more likely than ever.

This character, known for her lethal combat skills and iconic wrist-mounted blades, offers a perfect blend of vigilante justice and moral ambiguity that the MCU is embracing. The fan-casting community has been hard at work, suggesting a diverse and talented group of actresses who have the range, physicality, and cultural background to bring this complex Latina character to life on the big screen.

Maria Vasquez: The Lethal Martial Artist Behind the Tarantula Mask

To understand the ideal fancast, one must first understand the character's unique and tragic background. The mantle of Tarantula has been used by several characters in Marvel Comics, but the most prominent and relevant female version for a modern MCU adaptation is Maria Vasquez.

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Maria Vasquez is not a traditional Spider-Man villain; she is a morally gray vigilante and a master martial artist.

• Origin Story: Maria was a former bio-engineer whose life was tragically altered by the Stamford disaster (the event that kicked off the *Civil War* storyline in the comics). Her sister was killed in the explosion, fueling Maria's transformation into the costumed adventurer known as Tarantula.
• Affiliations: She has been associated with the Heroes for Hire and, at one point, was a member of the villainous organization The Hand, showcasing her complex and shifting allegiances. This history makes her a perfect candidate for the MCU's current focus on anti-heroes and morally ambiguous teams.
• Powers and Abilities: Unlike some other costumed characters, Maria Vasquez has no superhuman abilities. Her threat level comes entirely from her intense training. She is a skilled martial artist and a master of hand-to-hand combat. Her signature weapons are the wrist-mounted blades attached to her gloves, which she uses with deadly precision.

The actress chosen for the role must not only be able to portray a high level of physical prowess but also capture the emotional depth of a woman driven by grief and a desire for justice outside the law. Her potential introduction in a project like *Spider-Man 4* or *Daredevil: Born Again* would instantly raise the stakes for street-level conflict.

Top 5 Actresses Fan-Cast as the MCU's Maria Vasquez

The fan community has consistently put forward actresses who possess the necessary intensity, acting chops, and physical readiness to embody the role of the lethal Tarantula. Here are the top five most compelling and frequently discussed fancast suggestions for Maria Vasquez.

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1. Adria Arjona

Adria Arjona is perhaps the most popular and well-suited choice currently circulating. She has already demonstrated her ability to handle high-octane action and complex character work in major franchises.

• Why She Fits: Arjona has proven her action credibility in films like *Morbius* (as Martine Bancroft) and *6 Underground*, and her dramatic skills in the series *Andor*. She has the look and the intensity to play a hardened former bio-engineer who turns into a brutal vigilante.
• Topical Authority: Her previous experience in the *Star Wars* universe and a Sony-Marvel adjacent film makes her a known quantity for major studio projects, a huge advantage for an MCU role.

2. Melissa Fumero

Known primarily for her comedic role as Amy Santiago in *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, Melissa Fumero offers a compelling, slightly left-field choice that would allow for a complete character transformation.

• Why She Fits: Fumero has the range to play a highly disciplined, intelligent character (mirroring Maria’s bio-engineer past) but could easily transition that focus and intensity into the ruthlessness of a vigilante. Casting a comedic actress in a serious action role often yields surprising and successful results, allowing the character to have moments of unexpected depth.

3. Isabela Merced

Isabela Merced represents the younger generation of talent, and her star is rapidly rising, making her a prime candidate for a long-term MCU contract.

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• Why She Fits: Merced has already secured a major role in the DC Universe (as Hawkgirl in *Superman: Legacy*), but before that casting, she was a strong fan favorite for many Marvel roles. Her youth and growing experience in action roles, such as *Dora and the Lost City of Gold* and *Transformers: The Last Knight*, suggest she has the physicality to portray a highly mobile, blade-wielding fighter.

4. Anya Chalotra

Anya Chalotra's powerful performance as Yennefer of Vengerberg in *The Witcher* has made her a popular choice for complex, morally ambiguous fantasy and comic book roles.

• Why She Fits: Chalotra has a proven ability to portray a character with a dark past, immense inner strength, and a commanding screen presence. While not Latina, the general fan interest in her for a "Tarantula" type role (often confused with Anya Corazon/Spider-Girl) shows a desire for an actress who can convey both vulnerability and lethal capability.

5. Chrissie Fit

Chrissie Fit, known for her roles in the *Pitch Perfect* franchise, is another strong Latina actress who brings a fresh face and proven on-screen charisma to the role.

• Why She Fits: Fit has the youthful energy and dramatic potential to play Maria Vasquez as a character seeking redemption or revenge. Casting a less-obvious choice often allows the actress to fully define the character without the baggage of previous blockbuster roles, which could be ideal for establishing a new anti-hero in the MCU.

The MCU Future: Why Tarantula is a Critical Addition

The MCU is currently in a phase of introducing characters who operate in the shadows, far from the cosmic adventures of the Avengers. This is the perfect environment for a character like Maria Vasquez, the Tarantula.

Her introduction could serve multiple narrative functions:

Filling the Street-Level Anti-Hero Void

With the MCU's focus shifting to more grounded storytelling in projects like *Daredevil: Born Again* and the rumored direction of *Spider-Man 4*, Tarantula’s presence as a brutal, non-superpowered combatant is a natural fit. She operates in the same gritty, urban environment as Daredevil and Spider-Man, providing a foil that challenges their moral codes on vigilantism. She is essentially a dark mirror to Peter Parker, a person who chose a path of violence fueled by personal tragedy.

A Potential Member of the Heroes for Hire

Maria Vasquez’s history as a member of the Heroes for Hire in the comics is a major clue to her MCU future. With Luke Cage and Iron Fist already established in the earlier Netflix series (now integrated into the MCU canon), the possibility of reforming the team with new members is high. Tarantula's membership would provide a much-needed martial arts and tactical specialist to the group, bridging the gap between mercenaries and heroes.

The Spider-Man Connection

The most likely entry point for Tarantula remains a future *Spider-Man* film. Peter Parker's life has been stripped bare following the events of *No Way Home*, forcing him back to the streets where he faces more grounded, human threats. Introducing a skilled mercenary like Tarantula as an antagonist, a reluctant ally, or a rival vigilante would force Peter to confront the darker consequences of the superhero life. Her use of deadly weapons—the wrist-mounted blades—directly contrasts with Spider-Man’s non-lethal methods, creating immediate and compelling dramatic tension.

Ultimately, the fancasting for Marvel's female Tarantula, Maria Vasquez, is a testament to the excitement surrounding the MCU's darker, more grounded expansion. Whether it is a seasoned action star like Adria Arjona or a breakout talent like Melissa Fumero, the chosen actress will need to embody the fierce, tragic, and lethal spirit of this powerful street-level fighter.