Summary
The threeSpider-Manmovie franchises have succeeded on different levels, with all of them featuring major characters fromMarvelComics that impacted the overall narrative in key ways. TheSpider-Man moviesare among the most popular superhero films of all time, withSpider-Man: No Way Homeshowing just how important the three cinematic versions of Spider-Man areto millions of fans around the globe. The film united the franchises, with Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland’s versions of Spider-Man interacting for the first time.
Before they got together in theMCU Spider-Man’s timeline, each of the characters went on a journey that included important players from the Spider-Man comics.Without including MCU co-starslike Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, there are still many key characters that made the Spider-Man movies the success they are, and some could return through the multiverse infuture MCU movies.
The MCU Already Has The Perfect Way To Bring Back Tobey Maguire & Andrew Garfield In Spider-Man 4
Tom Holland will return in Spider-Man 4, and the MCU’s Multiverse Saga plans have created the perfect story for Garfield and Maguire to also return.
20Rhys Ifans’ Lizard
Debuted In The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
First up is Rhys Ifans' Lizard. This was thefirst version of the character in live-action to transform from Dr. Connors into the Lizard. The character made for a good first opponent for Garfield’s Spider-Man, tapping into the aspect of Oscorp’s story that connected intimately toThe Amazing Spider-Man’s Peter Parker and his parents. Ifans' Lizard also returned in fully CGI form inSpider-Man: No Way Home, where he just fought heroes.
10 Best Spider-Man Movie Deleted Scenes
The Spider-Man movies are one of the longest-running Marvel movie franchises, boasting a litany of great deleted scenes that shouldn’t have been cut.
19Denis Leary’s Captain Stacy
Denis Leary’s turn as Captain Stacy left a huge impact on Garfield’s Peter Parker.The Amazing Spider-Maninitially pits the characters against one another, both in their personal lives, with Stacy doubting that Peter was a good boyfriend for his daughter Gwen and “professionally,” as Spider-Man and the police did not see eye to eye. Captain Stacy discovers Peter is Spider-Man and lets him go, later dying while emotionallymaking Peter promise to leave Gwen out of his life to keep her safe.
10 Things No Spider-Man Movie Can Agree On
Each movie iteration of Spider-Man has been very different. Here are ten differences in his story across the Raimi, Webb, MCU, and Sony Spider-Verses.
18Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson
Debuted In Spider-Man (2002)
Mary Jane Watson is one of the most important characters in Spider-Man comics. The reason Kirsten Dunst’s version of the character is so low on the list is due to how often she was shown simply as a damsel in distress in the Maguire Spider-Man trilogy. MJ can be so much more than that, and when the Spider-Man movies focused on those aspects of the character, they worked perfectly. Dunst also had the iconic kiss scene with Maguire, which is one of the most recognizable shots in Spider-Man films.
What’s Going On With Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 4?
Although it was canceled in 2010, rumors and reports persist in 2024 that Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 4 may finally happen with director Sam Raimi.
17Sally Field’s Aunt May
The Amazing Spider-Manbrought to life an interesting version of Aunt May. Younger than the character in the Maguire trilogy, Sally Field’s Aunt May was shown to struggle with the loss of Uncle Ben and still keep moving forward to make ends meet. She pushed, encouraged, and consoled Garfield’s Peter Parker, depending on what the situation asked for.The Amazing Spider-Manfranchise’s Aunt May was well-rounded and nuanced.
Sally Field’s Aunt May was shown to struggle with the loss of Uncle Ben and still keep moving forward to make ends meet.
16Rosemary Harris’ Aunt May
Rosemary Harris’ Aunt May still stands as the most iconic version of the character in live-action to this day. She wasthe most like the classic comic book Aunt May, being a loving mother figure to Maguire’s Peter Parker. Harris’ Aunt May also had one of the best moments of all the Spider-Man films, with her speech about what it means to be a hero to Peter showing she knows he is Spider-Man but will not say it.
Sam Raimi’s 1 Spider-Man 4 Requirement Perfectly Sets Up Peter Parker’s Most Controversial Story
Sam Raimi’s comments on Spider-Man 4 point in the direction of an infamous comic book storyline that already influenced the MCU’s Peter Parker.
15Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds
Debuted In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds is one of the key characters of theMCU’s Spider-Man trilogy. As stated inSpider-Man: Homecoming, he is Peter Parker’s “guy in the chair.” Instead of using Harry Osborn for the third Spider-Man franchise, Marvel decided to branch out and make Ned Peter’s best friend. It has mostly worked out, withBatalon being charismatic and hilarious in the role.Spider-Man: No Way Home’s ending makes his return uncertain.
Jacob Batalon’s Idea For Ned’s MCU Future Storyline Is The Perfect Follow-Up To Spider-Man: No Way Home
Exclusive: Ned Leeds actor Jacob Batalon shares the perfect Marvel Cinematic Universe storyline for his character after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
14Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May
Debuted In Captain America: Civil War (2016)
The highest Aunt May on the list is Marisa Tomei’s version of the character. In the MCU, Aunt May was used instead of Uncle Ben to deliver Holland’s Peter his saddest moment. While Marvel could have done more with Tomei besides sporadic appearances, the actress made her May charismatic and was a great modern version of the character. Her death at the hands of the Green Goblin whilegiving Peter the “Great Power, Great Responsibility” speechis a tearjerker.
No Way Home’s Unused Aunt May Death Scene Would’ve Been Even Sadder
The original plan for Aunt May’s death in Spider-Man: No Way Home would have taken her and Tom Holland’s Peter Parker on a much more emotional story.
13Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman
Debuted In Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Most of the villains in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy were incredible. Only Venom, which the director did not want to use, was a letdown. Still, Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman served as a nice counterpoint inSpider-Man 3, being a complex character who was not necessarily a bad guy.Sandman has a tragic backstory, and his turning away from villainy in the end was perfect. The character was also used for great action scenes in the MCU.
Every Spider-Man Movie Villain, Ranked Worst To Best
Over ten main Spider-Man films produced by Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios, Peter Parker has faced off against a huge number of legendary villains.
12Cliff Robertson’s Uncle Ben
Cliff Robertson’s Uncle Ben is one of the most iconic characters in live-action superhero movies.Uncle Ben is extremely important to who Spider-Man is, as the character’s death is the traumatic event that pushes Peter over the edge in many versions and leads to Spider-Man’s birth. Robertson was perfectly warm, caring, and wise in the Maguire franchise, with Uncle Ben’s “Great Power, Great Responsibility” speech being an all-timer.
Every Actor Who Has Played Uncle Ben In Spider-Man Movies & TV Shows
Uncle Ben has always been a crucial part of Spider-Man’s origin story, and many different actors have lent their likenesses or voice to the character.
11Michael Keaton’s Vulture
Michael Keaton’s Vulture was the first main villain of Holland’s Spider-Man films. What a way to start, asKeaton made Adrian Toomes just as menacing with and without his Vulture suit. The interrogation scene in the car, where Vulture reveals he knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man, stands as one of the most intimidating scenes in Spider-Man movies. Later, Vulture decides to keep Peter’s identity a secret out of gratitude for Spidey having saved his life, making him nuanced.
Spider-Man 4 Can Finally Make Sense Of A Bizarre Marvel Movie Villain Twist 2 Years Later
Spider-Man 4 is the MCU’s best opportunity to make sense of a bizarre and confusing villain twist that happened after No Way Home’s final spell.
