SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Spoilers - Breaking Down The Final Fate Of Every Main Character

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Spoilers - Breaking Down The Final Fate Of Every Main Character

Spider-Man: No Way Home includes a lot of characters from a lot of different worlds, and we're now taking a closer look at how the story arcs for each of them wrap up...and what that could be leading to!

Feature Opinion
By HamiltonParker - Dec 17, 2021 03:12 PM EST
Filed Under: No Way Home

Spider-Man: No Way Home is arguably the best installment of the franchise yet, and is definitely the biggest. Bringing together the three actors who have played Peter Parker in live-action, the film also includes a quintet of familiar bad guys who have a sinister role to play in proceedings.

Throw in returning favorites like MJ, Happy Hogan, and May Parker, and there are lots of characters to follow. Some have happy endings, others not so much, and a few are even changed forever. 

In this feature, we're looking back at how things wrap up for every hero, villain, and supporting player in Spider-Man: No Way Home. As well as exploring how their stories end, we also ponder what might be next for those who stand a good chance of showing up again down the line. 

In case it isn't already obvious, massive SPOILERS for the film follow from this point on...
 

10. Doctor Octopus

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While Doc Ock initially returns to his villainous ways and wants nothing to do with Peter Parker's plan to cure him, the new inhibitor chip finally allows Otto Octavius to fend off the influence of his four extra arms. Initially fleeing during Spider-Man's first battle with the Green Goblin, he returns during the final act to seemingly lay waste to the three Spider-Men.

Instead, he's there to help and has an emotional reunion with his world's Peter Parker where he acknowledges that the young man he knew has grown up. Later losing one of his mechanical arms in battle, Otto is eventually returned to his reality fully reformed and no longer controlled by darker impulses.
 

9. Green Goblin

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Norman Osborn's split personality is at the forefront of his story arc in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and despite holding off the Goblin for much of the film, it's not long until his monstrous side is back. After dealing a fatal blow to the MCU's Peter Parker by targeting one of his loved ones, the Green Goblin confronts the web-slinger at the Statue of Liberty for one final showdown.

Distraught, Spidey is moments away from killing him before the Spider-Man from Norman's world intervenes. He gets stabbed in the back for his troubles, but when the Amazing Spider-Man throws the cure they've created for Osborn's condition to Peter, he manages to "kill" the Goblin that way. Norman, horrified by his actions, returns to his world, but is the Goblin ever truly gone?
 

8. The Lizard

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By the time we meet The Lizard in Spider-Man: No Way Home, he's completely lost the plot and remains as keen as ever to transform the entire human population into lizards. That's about as complex as his plan gets, and after siding with Norman, he's eventually beaten by the Spider-Men. 

With that, the web-slinger once again uses the cure he created in The Amazing Spider-Man to return The Lizard to his human form. It may or may not be a permanent solution, but we're assuming Curt Connors will swiftly be returned to his prison cell by the time he returns to his own reality. 
 

7. Sandman

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Flint Marko's story arc in the film boils down to him simply wanting to get back home to his daughter. However, the combined brainpower of the three Spider-Men means a cure is created that allows Sandman to permanently return to his human form (for most of Spider-Man: No Way Home, he's made of sand, an apparent evolution of his powers that's turned them into an affliction).

Cured, Sandman is also sent home and presumably manages to find redemption and his little girl. It's far from the biggest part of the film, but a nice way to wrap up the arc that began in Spider-Man 3.
 

6. Electro

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Arriving in the MCU, Max Dillon senses a new type of power that allows him to reform a body that's superior to the last one he had. Electro's thirst for electricity drives him, and Peter's suggestion of a device that will permanently drain that does not go down well. Later, Norman creates an arc reactor device that makes the villain even stronger, and he's not willing to give that up.

Ultimately beaten by the Spider-Man of his world, Max is devastated to no longer be "special." His Peter, however, explains that he always was and controlling electricity wasn't the reason why. It's another touching moment, and one that hopefully sets poor Max on a permanent path to redemption. 
 

5. MJ, Ned, And Flash Thompson

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While he can no longer lay claim to being Peter Parker's best friend, we're assuming not much changed for Flash Thompson and he ended up heading to MIT. As for Ned Leeds and Michelle Jones-Watson, they also got into their school of choice, and seem quite content no longer remembering Peter. 

Neither wanted to forget him, of course, but that was a result of Doctor Strange casting a spell that would repair the Multiverse but make everyone forget the teenager exists (and that he's beneath Spider-Man's mask). We don't learn what becomes of Betty Brant, but hope she considers a career in journalism.
 

4. Aunt May

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The most tragic scene in Spider-Man: No Way Home comes when Aunt May, struck down by the Green Goblin's glider assures her nephew that she's fine...until she isn't. May is more injured than she realises, bleeding heavily from her altercation with the villain. It's particularly tragic as Peter, moments before, managed to save his aunt from taking the full force of a Pumpkin Bomb. 

May dies in Peter's arms, but not before making him realize that with great power there must also come great responsibility. Essentially filling the role of Uncle Ben in the MCU, it's May who sets Peter on the path to becoming a true superhero, and that's a lesson the hero won't soon forget. 
 

3. Happy Hogan

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Happy Hogan arrives to see that May has been killed (he had feelings for her, so it's a small yet powerful scene), and pleads with Peter to run before the authorities can arrest him. It's the last time we see Tony Stark's one-time right-hand man before he bumps into Peter at Aunt May's grave. 

As a result of Doctor Strange's spell, he no longer remembers the teenager he became something of a father figure to or that May even had a nephew. Happy asks Peter if he knew May through Spider-Man, their connection clearly severed in a permanent way. It's worth pointing out that Strange also forgets Peter, though the aftermath of his decision is covered in the post-credits. 
 

2. Spider-Men

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The return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as their respective versions of Spider-Man is a truly joyous affair, and both are pivotal in making the MCU's Spidey realise that he shouldn't head down the dark path he's considering. They steer the hero back in the right direction and use their knowledge of the villains from their worlds to create those aforementioned cures. 

While the original big screen Spider-Man is stabbed by the Green Goblin, he points out he's been stabbed before but admits to being in tremendous pain. The three Variants share a hug before Peter rushes to say goodbye to his loved ones, and then return to their realities. Not much changes for Maguire's Spidey, though Garfield's has a renewed sense of purpose and being able to save MJ might just help pull him out of the darkness he's fallen into since being unable to rescue Gwen Stacy. 
 

1. Spider-Man

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The world remembers Spider-Man, but no one knows that Peter Parker exists. His friends, fellow heroes, and even J. Jonah Jameson have no recollection of who is beneath the mask, and the entire world has had the knowledge that Spidey and Peter are one of the same erased from their minds. 

That's not going to faze the wall-crawler, though. After reaching the conclusion MJ and Ned will be happier and safer without him (the bandage on MJ's forehead reminds him of the danger he puts his loved ones in), Peter rents an apartment in New York with just a few mementoes of his old life. Donning a new, homemade - comic-accurate - costume, he swings off into the night to fight crime. 

With that, the MCU finally has a classic Spider-Man, but where will his story go next? Time will tell. 
 

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AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/17/2021, 3:05 PM
I love how the villains and heroes were redeemed by the end of the film. Sony and marvel really out did themselves with this one.



Proof that more characters and villains dont make a bad film.



I love this film so much.



Andrew: youre in a band?!?!?! I'm number 3!

And him acknowledging his lame villains was just everything❤



So damn good🙋



BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 12/17/2021, 4:19 PM
@AmazingFILMporg - I once fought a Russian dude in a rhino machine
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 12/17/2021, 4:46 PM
@BigPhilbowski -


lmfao🐸
MrDandy
MrDandy - 12/17/2021, 3:09 PM
I personally liked the twist on the Uncle Ben story by pivoting it to another character.

Loved how it left Peter in a more conventional place for most Spidermen. No one knowing his identity, no tech, alone and having to fend for himself in life, and pining after a love interest he’s separated from. Felt like an authentic journey.

MrDandy
MrDandy - 12/17/2021, 3:10 PM
Brilliant job all around. Exceeded my expectations. I was expecting the big crossover smack down, but it was the emotional stakes (high and low) and personal drama that was the nice surprise that made this movie
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2021, 3:14 PM
As much as I want Spider-man 4 as soon as possible, the ending of this movie kinda makes me think a break needs to be taken for everyone involved and the audience as well. Here's hoping we finally get Kraven and Scorpion in the next one.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:19 PM
@MCUKnight11 - it sounds like we are getting a break. Holland has stressed that much in his interviews that this is what he really wants.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2021, 3:23 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I forgot to mention that more of Charlie Cox and Kingpin would also be nice.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:27 PM
@MCUKnight11 - I imagine we will be getting that!
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2021, 3:30 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I do think it's entirely possible that all this "break" talk is just a negotiation tactic and they keep the bi-annual release to keep the financial momentum going. Other MCU stars have done it before. 🤷
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:33 PM
@MCUKnight11 - well, I don't see a movie with him coming out before 2023. If you think about it, we've had Tom's Spidey every year on screen since 2016, and twice in 2019, except for 2020. So, a 3 yr break would be totally fine.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2021, 3:40 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I'm thinking December 2023. 2 years from now. There's also Venom 3,Kraven, and F4 for a possible appearance before Spider-man 4. 🤷
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:44 PM
@MCUKnight11 - I think we will get a non Sony MCU Spidey appearance in F4 (which I think could be released in November or December). Highly, highly doubt in Venom 3 (they purposely sent him back, so not sure how we would see Spidey in a Venom film). I just don't see a solo Spidey film happening before 2024 (they would have to start filming next year).
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 12/17/2021, 3:52 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I could see 2024 for various reasons.
#1. Disney and Sony need to sign a new contract which hasn't happened yet as far as we know.
#2. They need to find a new director since Watts is busy with F4.
#3. They need to re-sign Holland and all the returning cast.
#4. They need to find actors for a new cast which would include Gwen, Black cat, Harry, and some villains.
#5. They're waiting to see how Covid progresses to an Endemic so they can put Spider-man back in the summer (June/July) or if he'll stay in December.
Repian
Repian - 12/17/2021, 4:01 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - Appearance of Spider-Man on FF...

and appearance of Reed Richards on Spider-Man 4.
RitoRevolto
RitoRevolto - 12/17/2021, 3:20 PM
That Aunt May scene sucked, as in we didn't need another moment like that so soon after PS4 Spider-Man... Very tragic.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:20 PM
Assuming that Tom Holland will return for a final 'future' trilogy, I'm wondering if (based upon his decision at the very end) he will have completely moved on from MJ and Ned, at least for the first movie or so. Perhaps moved onto Gwen?
MrDandy
MrDandy - 12/17/2021, 3:26 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - considering Zendaya is becoming a bigger and bigger name…I doubt they would write out her MJ, especially when she’s already expressed interest in returning.

I could see Ned being left to live his life in peace.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:27 PM
@MrDandy - that's fair. Just seem's like Peter's choice at the end will cause her to be absent for a bit.
MrDandy
MrDandy - 12/17/2021, 3:29 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - I think she won’t remember him for at least a film.
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 12/17/2021, 3:31 PM
@MrDandy - yeah. I think maybe she could have a cameo in the next film, and then make a big reappearance in the sequel.

I think Gwen or Black Cat could be a good pairing with Peter for a film.
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