Spider-Man 4: Who Will Be the Villain That Changes Everything?

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2023 is shaping up to be an action-packed year for Marvel Studios, with both movie and TV projects on the horizon. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release of “Captain America: New World Order”, starring Anthony Mackie as the lead character, although it’s had some mixed reviews from critics so far. In the coming month, Daredevil, played by Charlie Cox, will reappear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Disney+ subscribers. The Fantastic Four are also gearing up for their comeback in July. As if that wasn’t enough, Marvel has announced that “Avengers: Armageddon” will start filming soon, and they’ve confirmed plans for a fourth “Spider-Man” movie with Tom Holland at the helm. I have some details about the sequel, but there’s one big question I still can’t seem to answer.

It’s highly likely that “Spider-Man 4” will begin filming in 2025, given its confirmed release date of July 24, 2026 and the fact that Destin Daniel Cretton is taking over as director from Jon Watts. Tom Holland, via Brothers Trust, is offering an exciting raffle prize for a fan to visit the “Spider-Man 4” set during the summer or autumn of 2025. However, I’m curious to find out who Spider-Man will be facing off against in this next movie, as the selection of the villain will significantly influence the film’s overall tone and whether it leans towards a street-level conflict or another multiverse adventure like “Spider-Man: No Way Home.

As a die-hard Spidey fan, I’ve been caught up in this ongoing discussion about our web-slinging hero ever since he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Tom Holland’s portrayal has taken us to the cosmos, pitted against extraterrestrials, across Europe, and even to the grave. Now, I’m not denying that Marvel Studios has been thrilled to explore new dimensions of the character, things Sony couldn’t touch when he wasn’t an MCU member. But it seems like it’s high time for a film that centers around the emotional heart of Spider-Man, focusing on what truly makes him tick. And given where we left Peter Parker at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, it certainly feels like that’s the path they might be heading down next.

Peter Parker is currently living on his own, seemingly struggling financially, and fully committed to being Spider-Man. The story of ‘Spider-Man 4’ could begin at this point, featuring a formidable villain that aligns with his current life situation. I’m hoping that ‘Spider-Man 4’ will take this direction, so here are some suggestions for the antagonist I’d like to see Tom Holland face in next summer’s Spidey sequel:

1. The Vulture: With a background in advanced tech and a grudge against Parker, the Vulture could pose a significant threat as he looks to capitalize on Peter’s financial struggles.
2. The Scorpion: This villain has a history of targeting individuals with personal issues, which could make him an interesting match for a troubled Peter Parker.
3. The Hobgoblin: Known for his connection to organized crime and explosives expertise, the Hobgoblin could create chaos in Peter’s life as he tries to balance being a student, friend, and Spider-Man.
4. The Lizard: A former friend and colleague of Peter’s, the Lizard could provide an emotional challenge for the web-slinger as he grapples with turning into a monstrous creature.
5. The Jackal: With a genius-level intellect and a knack for creating clones, the Jackal could pose a significant threat to both Peter Parker and his loved ones.

The Kingpin

Many of you might find yourself in agreement with me once we’ve all watched “Daredevil: Born Again” in March. Vincent D’Onofrio will reprise his role as the ominous Wilson Fisk within a Marvel production, going head-to-head against Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) in a struggle for the heart of New York City. Given that Spider-Man is deeply rooted in Manhattan, it’s plausible to envision a situation where Kingpin becomes the antagonist in Spider-Man 4. The narrative thread of “Mayor Kingpin” could potentially carry over to the summer movie of next year. In “Born Again”, we will witness the repercussions of Fisk vying for political office in New York City. If Spider-Man 4 follows a comic book storyline called Devil’s Reign, it’s possible that we could see several New York superheroes banding together to counteract a more powerful Fisk. I’d be thrilled to witness that unfold.

Scorpion

Are you all currently enjoying the animated series titled “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man“? If you’re not, I strongly recommend giving it a try. This show revolves around a multiverse version of Peter Parker and provides a new perspective on his origin story. Additionally, it highlights some less frequently used Spider-Man adversaries, such as Scorpion. Initially, I speculated that the Marvel Cinematic Universe was planning for a live-action Scorpion following the casting of Michael Mando as Mac Gargan in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and his appearance in the post-credits scene (a deliberate play on words). However, it seems that these plans have not materialized. So, why not capitalize on this villain now?

Kraven the Hunter

Let me share my perspective with you. The Sony-produced Spider-Man universe, it seems, is facing some challenges. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean we should give up on it altogether. The recent R-rated film, Kraven the Hunter, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, appears to have been well-received, and Kraven is an intriguing character with vast potential.

Remember, before Spider-Man: No Way Home turned into a Multiverse movie, director Jon Watts had plans for a Kraven story with Tom Holland. There’s still room for this idea to come to life. We already have Peter Parker committed to his role as Spider-Man, and Kraven making his way to New York to prove himself as the world’s best hunter by targeting Spidey.

There are numerous high-quality comic books that could serve as inspiration for this project, so let’s take a chance and see where it leads!

Black Cat

In conclusion, it seems likely that the antagonist in the upcoming Marvel film will be the one I’m predicting. This choice aligns well with the emotional journey of Peter Parker after his Home trilogy. Throughout this journey, Peter has given up much of his personal life for the sake of the universe. He’ll presumably miss M.J., played by Zendaya, and may be attracted to Felicia Hardy, also known as Black Cat. Introducing Hardy could pave the way for Silver Sable or perhaps some criminal elements from Spider-Man’s world, such as Tombstone, Hammerhead, or The Enforcers. I sincerely hope that Spider-Man 4 keeps its focus on realism before eventually delving into Tom Holland’s Symbiote storyline (which we all know is bound to happen).

It’s anticipated that we’ll learn about the villain for a potential Spider-Man 4 movie this year, so keep an eye out for updates!

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2025-02-13 19:07