Jacob Batalon has swung his way into fans’ hearts as the lovable Ned Leeds in the Spider-Man franchise, but it turns out, being Spidey’s best friend comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it involves stunt work. While promoting his latest film Novocaine alongside Ray Nicholson, Batalon sat down with The Movie Dweeb and revealed the most painful experience he’s ever had on set. Spoiler alert: it involves a certain web-slinger’s stunt harness and some serious chafing in, well, not-so-ideal places.

“In Spider-Man, we were in these wires and whatnot, and for people who don’t know, for stunts, you have to put on this harness. And they have to tighten the harness really, really, really hard, because if you don’t, you might slip out, 50 feet in the air,” Batalon explained. “It just gave me a really bad rash in between, like, not the right places. I had to put extra oil on. It was about eight hours of just chafing really hard, and I’ve just never really fully recovered.”

Ouch. Someone get this man a lifetime supply of talcum powder.

Jacob Batalon and the Spider-Man Legacy

Jacob Batalon has been a crucial part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), playing Peter Parker’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” His comedic timing and on-screen chemistry with Tom Holland helped make the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy one of the most successful superhero franchises of all time. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) was a box-office juggernaut, grossing nearly $2 billion worldwide and giving fans the ultimate multiversal crossover moment with appearances from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield.

While Batalon’s Ned Leeds had a magical moment in No Way Home, fans have been left wondering what’s next for his character. Will he return as Peter Parker’s best friend? Or will he fulfill his comic book destiny and become the Hobgoblin? Only time will tell.

What’s Next for Spider-Man?

With Spider-Man: No Way Home leaving Peter Parker in an emotional (and legally complicated) state; no one remembers who he is, the next instalment of the Spider-Man saga is bound to be a wild ride. While details on Spider-Man 4 remain under wraps, it’s confirmed that Tom Holland will return as Peter Parker, and Zendaya is reportedly set to reprise her role as MJ. Rumors are also swirling about a possible return of Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and a new villain set to shake up the MCU’s web-slinging hero.

The last film’s ending left Peter completely alone, with no Avengers backup, no fancy Stark tech, and no one remembering he ever existed. If Spider-Man 4 follows the grounded, street-level storytelling hinted at by Marvel, we might see Peter navigating life as a truly independent hero for the first time in the MCU.

Novocaine – Jacob Batalon’s Latest Project

While fans eagerly await more Spider-Man news, Jacob Batalon is keeping busy with his latest film, Novocaine. The film, directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen, follows a man (Jack Quaid) suffering from a mysterious condition that leaves him unable to feel pain. As he becomes entangled in a dangerous underworld, he soon realizes that numbness might be more of a curse than a gift.

Batalon plays a pivotal character in the story, bringing his signature charm and comic relief. With a unique concept and a talented cast, Novocaine is shaping up to be a must-watch action-comedy. The film is set to hit theaters later this year, adding another exciting project to Batalon’s growing resume.

Whether he’s cracking jokes as Ned Leeds, suffering through an eight-hour harness ordeal, or stepping into the world of brutal, bloody action movies, Jacob Batalon continues to prove why he’s one of the most versatile young actors in Hollywood. And if he ever needs a break from stunt-induced chafing, we fully support a no-harness clause in his next contract.