Spider-Man: No Way Home is one of this year's most highly anticipated superhero films, and it's not remotely hard to see why, especially with so many mind-blowing rumors to be found out there.
Things have been cleared up to some extent this week, though, with the first wave of merchandise shedding at least a little light on what's come this December. From Spider-Man's updated costumes to some startling new looks for characters like Doctor Strange and Wong, it feels like we finally have a slightly better idea of what to expect.
Whether this film takes us swinging through the Multiverse or is a little more grounded as Peter Parker fights to clear his name, it still stands a chance to be a game-changer for the MCU.
Here's everything we've learned from this first wave of Spider-Man: No Way Home merchandise...
8. Sanctum Workshop And Wong's New Look
We're confident that Spidey won't be riding a bicycle through the Sanctum "workshop," but there are still some plot details to be gleaned from this LEGO set.
That green creature looks at least a little bit like Shuma Gorath, a villain expected to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (look closely at the sticker on whatever the creature is meant to be). This film leading directly into that one does make sense, and the two stories could even overlap to an extent.
Wong's new look is also noteworthy; clad in winter gear - likely due to No Way Home's Christmas setting - he has hair now, and we're guessing he's just decided to grow that out...and why shouldn't he?
Remember, the first stills from the film showed Peter, Ned, and MJ in a basement of some sort, so perhaps this set is a take on that?
7. Some Strange Upgrades
Peter Parker is wearing an "Integrated Suit" in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and you don't need to have a Tony Stark-level intellect to figure out that it's a combination of the Upgraded and Iron Spider costumes.
However, that's not what we're most interested in right now. It looks like Doctor Strange plans to give the web-slinger some new abilities, and we can't help but wonder what that means for him. With glowing symbols on his chest and wrist, it looks like Spidey will be able to unleash some new powers in his battle against the rumored interdimensional Sinister Six.
It's possible this is also going to help Spider-Man travel through the Multiverse, perhaps to recruit some of his fellow Spider-Men (played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, obviously).
Something tells us there's more to come with this iteration of the webbed wonder.
6. Nick Fury, Mysterio, And The Vulture
While it could be an effort to protect story spoilers, Spider-Man: No Way Home having LEGO sets "inspired" by previous films - Homecoming and Far From Home in this instance - is still odd.
That wasn't even the case for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and the decision to put Spidey's black and gold suit in that Vulture set is downright confusing. It goes without saying that we're not anticipating seeing that drone or a car chase, but as for characters like Adrian Toomes, Mysterio, and Vulture in No Way Home...it wouldn't surprise us.
Quentin Beck pulling the strings from the shadows makes perfect sense, while Vulture definitely seems to be playing a role in whatever this Multiverse is shaping up to be if the Morbius trailer is any indication.
We'll see, but this is one to keep an eye on, for sure!
5. Doctor Strange's New Look
We've mentioned Wong's new look, but what about Doctor Strange? It's certainly possible this is a Variant version of the Sorcerer Supreme Peter Parker encounters on another Earth.
One possibility is that Spidey encounters a different version of Stephen who is just a regular guy and manages to get him the tools he needs to be the Sorcerer Supreme (the Eye of Agamotto and Cloak of Levitation, not that shovel). However, there's another far more likely outcome.
Based on what Wong is wearing, and No Way Home having a Christmas setting, this is probably just a gag; perhaps there's no heat in the Sanctum or Stephen just has to clear away some snow?
However, we're still left to wonder: how has the Eye of Agamotto returned?!
4. J. Jonah Jameson Returns
J.K. Simmons has played coy when it comes to his Marvel Cinematic Universe future, but it's clear now he will be part of Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Whether that's as little more than the host of TheDailyBugle.net (likely calling for Peter Parker's head) or as someone who takes a slightly more active role in proceedings, this is going to be a lot of fun, and gives Simmons a chance to potentially play more than one version of Jonah...assuming we pay a visit to that other Spidey's home!
This is the MCU's Jonah, though, and for many fans, him getting his own action figure is long overdue.
We just hope that there's at least one scene with the wall-crawler giving Jameson what he deserves, webbing up his mouth and finally getting him to shut up.
3. Black And Gold
This is an intriguing costume, and one that doesn't have an official name as of yet. Some fans believe it could be what's beneath Spidey's regular suit, but we have a feeling it's a little more advanced than that.
Those red "gauntlets" are interesting, and we can't help but think back to the Anti-Ock suit in the Spider-Man video game. With Alfred Molina returning to the role of Doctor Octopus, that makes perfect sense, though we'd be willing to bet the web-slinger uses this to leap into action against the entire interdimensional Sinister Six.
It's certainly a different look for Peter, and while it may not be the black suit fans have been hoping to see, we'd be willing to bet this factors into the final battle somehow.
Does it mean that the other Spider-Men will get new looks as well, though?
2. Iron Spider Gadgets
The Upgraded Suit (or Advanced Suit as some fans call it) was badass, but those Iron Spider enhancements will make Peter even more formidable for this apparent trip through the Multiverse.
Those four extra arms are making a return, though we'd be willing to be Doc Ock makes short work of them when they come face-to-face; the Iron Spider suit could also be vulnerable to Electro's powers, leaving us to wonder whether that black and gold costume could be insulated against his attacks.
Marvel Studios must have known these toys would get us all talking, and minor details like these that feel like a big deal now could prove to be relatively minor in the grand scheme of No Way Home.
It's obvious a lot is being withheld, though, and that brings us to our final point...
1. Where Are The Villains?
It's pretty standard for merchandise reveal like this to at least offer a glimpse at a film's lead villain, but Marvel clearly didn't want us to get our first look at the likes of Doc Ock and Electro to be in the form of a Funko Pop!
Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin remains the rumored big bad of No Way Home, and it's still too soon to say whether he'll be featured in marketing materials or saved as a surprise. The same could be said for those other villains, though, and there are ways the first trailer can get us excited for this movie without showing these baddies or even three Spider-Men.
That will disappoint some fans, but Marvel and Sony still have quite a few months to build hype.
This first wave of toys is a good start, though, and a trailer could be with us as soon as next week!