Great Expectations

ZOEY LARSON | OCTOBER 21, 2021 | ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

“Spider-Man: No Way Home” is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The Marvel Cinematic Universe community is eager to see possible effects of a confirmed multiverse — multiple versions of the same character existing in time simultaneously — including the speculated return of previous Peter Parker actors Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire starring alongside Tom Holland. If the rumors are true, this film could pave the way for future live-action movies in the MCU, as well as other world-building franchises. With the other actors' respective villains already confirmed to be in the film, one question remains: will “No Way Home” live up to the hype?

The gossip surrounding the movie has only increased in popularity since it was announced in 2019 and later delayed twice. Cast members deny the whispers that other versions of Peter Parker will make their cinematic homecoming in the third installment of the MCU’s Spider-Man film series with Holland. Despite this, fans insist they will see all three actors interact on the big screen Dec. 17.

The official teaser trailer, released Aug. 23, revealed a few details about the movie, including confirming the return of Doctor Octopus, more commonly referred to as Doc Ock. The trailer showed that he will be played by Alfred Molina, the same actor who played the character in “Spider-Man 2” (2004). It also hinted at Willem Dafoe’s reappearance as Green Goblin from the original “Spider-Man” trilogy by showing his infamous weapon, a pumpkin-shaped bomb. Viewers spotted lightning reminiscent of Electro from “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” as well as figures possibly resembling Sandman and Lizard, both of which appeared in other “Spider-Man” movies.

Spider-Man enthusiasts are hopeful Garfield and Maguire will return on screen alongside their villainous counterparts. If this is true, it could have a profound impact on the MCU and serve as the blueprint for other franchises that hope to tie in live-action spin-off series or movies with a multiverse explanation. This could, for example, lead to franchises like “Star Wars” bringing in characters from their Disney+ series in future movies. While different actors playing the same character may have previously been counted as continuity errors by audiences, this justification would make it seem intentional; however, previous and current Spider-Man actors have denied the rumors.

“I understand why people are freaking out because I’m a fan as well,” Garfield admitted in an interview with Variety. “But it’s important for me to say on the record that this is not something I’m aware I am involved in. But I know I’m not going to be able to say anything that will convince anyone that I don’t know what’s happening.”

Ironically, Garfield’s continued denial of the rumors have done nothing but fuel suspicion. Marvel Studios is notorious for maintaining intense secrecy surrounding their projects, and it’s common for actors to stay tight-lipped around interviewers trying to coax spoilers out of them. If Garfield and Maguire are in fact coming back in “No Way Home,” it is likely Marvel instructed the cast to stay quiet. Fellow Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire has not been working towards the same level of denial as Garfield, though.

According to a fan who met Maguire, when asked about his involvement in “No Way Home,” he smiled and winked. Though this person did meet the actor, as proven by a photo on his Instagram page, the reliability of his account of Maguire’s actions is questionable. Due to Maguire’s lack of involvement in new projects, unlike Garfield, there are minimal opportunities to ask, so this is the little information Spider-Man devotees are working with. Even so, they are not buying the actors’ refutations.

“They’re lying,” said sophomore Sam Hardee. “People have to lie to protect themselves, I mean other people [in Marvel projects] were hesitant to admit it first, too.”

If people like Hardee are correct, the possibility of multiple actors portraying different versions of the same character onscreen would be a breakthrough for Marvel and other fictional universes hoping to connect their characters.

“[This movie is] definitely going to change things,” said sophomore Kennedy Murphy. “It’s going to make the MCU a lot more creative because it opens new storylines and allows for lots of new characters to enter.”
The multiverse concept was achieved in the 2018 animated film, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” but not in a live-action movie in the way “No Way Home” has the potential to. The possibility of a live-action multiverse adaptation has become more likely with the streaming release of Marvel’s limited series “Loki,” along with “What If…?” a few months later, both of which confirm its existence in the universe’s canon.

As Murphy said, Garfield and Maguire’s return would open the door for future MCU projects. It could also inspire those in other franchises like “Star Wars” to expand the interconnectivity of the characters. By allowing multiple versions of a character to logically exist in one realm, rather than be dismissed as timeline or continuity errors, actors could come back to their roles from previous movies. Besides creating more fan excitement and interest, this makes for hefty profit opportunities for marketers and theaters alike. The cinematic multiverse is expanding and if this is executed correctly, Marvel viewers will be pleasantly surprised by the possibilities it creates.