Summary
The events ofSpider-Man: No Way Homecemented a heartbreaking record for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. Despite the excitement that was caused byNo Way Home’s multiversal plot, the film possesses somewhat of a tragic core. Although thecast of Marvel characters inNo Way Homeunited Tobey Maguire, Tom Holland, and Andrew Garfield, the final minutes of the film rank among some of the bleakest in the entireMCUSpider-Mantimeline.
It is worth noting that the final scene ofSpider-Man: No Way Homeis fantastic, and perfectly sets up a continuation of the character in theMCU’sSpider-Man 4story. That said, the moments before this solidifiedNo Way Home, and the two movies preceding it, as a pseudo-Spider-Man origin story in the MCU. Through these sequences and the stories of Maguire and Garfield’s Spider-Men,Spider-Man: No Way Homesolidified Tom Holland’s Peter Parker as the holder of an unwanted, tragic record.
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No Way Home’s Villain Arcs Make Maguire & Garfield’s Timelines Much Happier
The Ending Of No Way Home Is Significantly Happier For Maguire & Garfield
Firstly, it is worth exploring how the stories of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men provide context to Holland’s record. At the end of the film, Maguire and Garfield’s characters are sent back to their respective universes by Doctor Strange. They are accompanied by the villains who also traveled to the mainline MCU; Doctor Octopus, Sandman, and Green Goblin travel home with Tobey Maguire’s Spidey, while Electro and Lizard make the magical journey with Garfield’s Pete.
The villains each return to their respective universes at crucial points in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy and Marc Webb’sThe Amazing Spider-Manfilms.
An interesting point, however, is that each character returns back to the same point from which they left their timelines. The villains each return to their respective universes at crucial points in Sam Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy and Marc Webb’sThe Amazing Spider-Manfilms. After theSpider-Man: No WayHome’s events, these villains are now cured. Norman Osborn returns to 2002’sSpider-Manright before he dies, only as a sane man. The same can be said for Sandman, Doc Ock, Electro, and Lizard.
This will surely change the status quo of both universes drastically. Maguire’s Peter Parker now has people who were once his friends, such as Norman and Otto Octavius, back in his life, while the butterfly effect from Electro being cured inThe Amazing Spider-Man2could save the life of Gwen Stacy. Regardless, the villains being cured inNo Way Homeallow Maguire and Garfield’s universes to be much happier than they were in each film series. These could provide the basis forSpider-Man 4orThe Amazing Spider-Man 3, two long-desired projects.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Is Left At His Lowest Point In No Way Home
The MCU’s Peter Parker Has Never Been Lower
On the flip side of this coin is Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. As a result ofDoctor Strange’sNo Way Homespell, every single person in existence forgot that Peter Parker exists. Through this sacrifice, Peter lost his girlfriend MJ. Furthermore, Peter’s closest friends like Ned, Happy Hogan, and Strange himself forgot who Peter was. This is without mentioning previous people Peter has lost, from Tony Stark and Uncle Ben to Aunt May. All of this puts Peter in the darkest possible position he can be.
Peter’s lonely life gives Spider-Man 4 the opportunity to introduce other Spider-Man characters like Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy.
This is only added to by Peter’s new life. As alluded to, no one knows he exists, meaning all semblance of his old life has disappeared. This leads Peter to rent a new apartment, one which is depicted as rundown and desolate in the heart of New York. While Peter’s final swing scene proves how his life as Spider-Man will continue in spite of his new circumstances, there is no denying that the end ofSpider-Man: No Way Homeleaves Peter at his lowest point, in stark contrast to the much happier universes of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men.
There’s Still Time For The MCU’s Spider-Man To Find Happiness
Peter’s Low Point Sets Up Future MCU Stories
Ironically, Tom Holland’s end-point inNo Way Homeis the one Spider-Man fans tend to latch onto. Spider-Man is often a character who is so relatable and likable due to his ability to fight for what is right despite often living a poor life as Peter Parker. As such, the ending ofNo Way Homewas incredibly well-received. On top of this,it simply makes sense to leave MCU Peter off at his lowest point rather than the other Spider-Men. Maguire and Garfield are at the end of their journeys, at least untilAvengers: Secret Warsif rumors are to be believed.
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The happier endings for both characters thus provide a sense of closure. With Holland’s Peter, his low point offers more storytelling and character potential for the future of the MCU. More adventures will come in the MCU for Spider-Man, giving him the opportunity to build himself back up and become happier once more. This means that - despite holding the current record for being the most tragic iteration of the character afterSpider-Man: No Way Home -the future still looks bright for the MCU’s Web-Slinger.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Cast
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
