Why limit yourself to just one “Spider-Man” trailer when two would do? The multiverse was finally cracked open in the second teaser for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which made it clear that Peter Parker from the MCU will in fact face off against a number of adversaries from several parallel universes. Of course, the parallel realities these powerful opponents originate from exist before Holland’s interpretation of the character is introduced. Our favourite web-shooting hero will face the toughest test in “No Way Home” from actors like Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock, Jamie Foxx’s Electro, Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman, Rhys Ifans’ Lizard, and Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin thanks to directors Sam Raimi and Marc Webb’s previous “Spider-Man” films.
But what has some fans scratching their heads is the reintroduction of this final Spidey bad guy, and more especially, a certain shot of a very different-looking Goblin near the end of the movie. The video is below.
Is it conceivable that this “Two is better than one” philosophy will result in more than one individual donning the iconic green costume and causing mayhem? When it comes to this specific villain, who has been embodied by a number of different people both in the comics and on the big screen, the multiverse literally has no laws. Let’s explore every scenario, from the most plausible to the furthest stretch possible, and everything in between.
It’s Literally Just Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin, Folks
Okay, not to be a downer or anything, but let’s start with the most dull and obvious response. In my opinion, Occam’s Razor might very well be applicable in this situation. It’s not the largest stretch to envisage a villain doing the exact same thing if the main characters in a given superhero movie frequently change their costumes. In this most recent video, Dafoe’s Norman Osborn makes quite the cackling entrance, showcasing all the exquisite elements of his redesigned suit and accompanying glider since we last saw them in 2002’s “Spider-Man.” It’s obvious that there are some significant differences between that and the above suit, including a different glider, no helmet, and various differences between the suits themselves, even though that revealing trailer shot later on only lasts for a split second and takes place in the shadow of night.
My contentious claim is that it’s simply Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin! There are many rumours and hearsays that this multiversal Norman Osborn will make an appearance in the movie at some point without a helmet and wearing some cool goggles, which generally matches what we see in that picture. Even if he’ll theoretically be supported by a few other Spidey villains (provided they don’t finish up battling each other first). Any altercation between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is sure to leave a mark; possibly enough so that Osborn will eventually need to rely on a backup, more improvised costume for subsequent encounters later in the movie (you know how supervillains can become!). I know it’s not the most attractive choice, but can’t this movie only have so many characters? If Andrew Garfield is lying about not being in “No Way Home,” then Tobey Maguire and another character could potentially join the fray if we’re still not completely convinced that he is speaking the truth. It might be excessive to introduce one more Green Goblin into the scene.
People, place your bets now. I am confident in my investment.
Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborn
Well, isn’t that the day’s question?
We won’t sugarcoat this one, despite the numerous attempts made by fans in recent years to redeem both of “The Amazing Spider-Man” movies. Dane DeHaan’s Harry Osborn wasn’t exactly a standout of “The Amazing Spider-Dude 2,” from the character’s writing to his appearance (that haircut, man) to the final design of his alter persona. No offence is intended to the actor, who has established himself as a fascinating presence in movies like “Chronicle,” “The Place Beyond the Pines,” and particularly as the main character in Gore Verbinski’s “A Cure for Wellness.” But if Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman, who was universally viewed as a failure in Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” can make a comeback, why can’t Dane DeHaan?
James Franco’s Harry Osborn
They’re starting to come through, and I can’t stop them, Doctor Strange says in the highly teaseful last moments of the “No Way Home” teaser. The most widely-accepted storyline states that the other Spider-Mans (Spider-Men? Spiders-Man?) will show up at the end of this sequence, but what if this actually heralds the coming of other Spider-Man foes from earlier movies? DeHaan’s Green Goblin may not join the ranks of legendary movie bad guys, but at least he brought Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, to her neck-breaking, devastating death. What’s keeping director Jon Watts and his writers from including DeHaan’s Goblin and all the baggage he brings with him given the obvious desire of “No Way Home” to reproduce that moment practically beat-by-beat with Holland’s Peter and Zendaya’s MJ?
In light of numerous credible charges of sexual assault, James Franco has lost the ability to work since his last appearance in Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3.” This is the proverbial “elephant in the room.” This immediately reduces the likelihood that Marvel or Sony would want to be associated with someone who would cause a lot of justifiable backlash. But even if it’s remote, it’s worth mentioning that Franco’s Harry Osborn might make an appearance with his father Norman in an effort to make this as thorough as we can.
Ned Leeds’ Hobgoblin?!
From a purely narrative standpoint, Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and this particular Harry have a trilogy’s worth of backstory together. He created tension and drama between Peter and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst), harboured a lifetime of father issues about Willem Dafoe’s Norman Osborn, learned Peter’s secret identity, and, in the clumsy conclusion, declared war on his former best friend. Although he reconciled with Peter in “Spider-Man 3” before succumbing to his injuries, his return in “No Way Home” would add a note of melancholy to Doctor Strange’s prophetic statements that these villains are destined to meet their demise in Spider-Man confrontations. Because, if we’re being fussy, Doc Ock finally gave his life to save the world when neither the Lizard nor the Sandman ever did in their respective depictions of our hero. Contrarily, Franco’s Harry might support “No Way Home” by adding some gravitas, particularly if he appears opposite Tobey Maguire’s Peter.
Yes, we did reserve the biggest, most improbable guess for last. This third possibility involves Peter’s best buddy Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, who has been his steadfast comrade throughout this trilogy of MCU “Spider-Man” movies. Stranger things have happened, albeit few casual moviegoers would guess that Ned’s path might lead to him donning a goblin costume! Notably, those stranger things have actually occurred in the comics. Ned, albeit against his will, becomes the third significant figure to don the “Hobgoblin” mantle in some plotlines. Ned, who was kidnapped and indoctrinated in the “Hobgoblin Lives #3” issue, is cruelly murdered off and his brief tenure as Hobgoblin comes to an end.
