5 Things I Want in the MCU's Next Spider-Man Movie

For now, no Spider-Man film has been announced for the remainder of the Multiverse Saga. Tom Holland is expected to get another trilogy, but there's a question of when. After playing an integral part in Phase 3 and getting a massive film in Phase 4, we're still waiting for the next adventure for Peter Parker. I have a list of "demands" for the next time we see Spider-Man in the MCU. This will outline a little of what I want to see. Not all of these things would fit into one film, but predicting what could be seen is fun. 

Where We Stand Right Now

The end of No Way Home acted as a reset for Spider-Man. After having his identity exposed by Mysterio at the end of Far From Home, Peter's life is turned upside down. To prevent other villains from coming to their universe, Peter urges Doctor Strange to complete the spell he'd previously ruined at the film's beginning. Everyone would forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, including Ned and MJ. This presents an unlimited amount of possibilities moving forward from a story perspective. We're basically starting from square one, and that's not a bad thing. 

1. Keep all of the Avengers away from this movie

One constant in the three Spider-Man films is the presence of an Avenger. Ignoring Happy Hogan being in all three, he needed Iron Man in Homecoming, Nick Fury and Maria Hill (kinda) in Far From Home, and Doctor Strange in No Way Home. I want to avoid another Avenger getting involved in the story for the fourth film. This will be easier with Spider-Man's identity being unknown. The entire focus should be on Peter Parker trying to navigate his chance to re-establish himself with a new start. 

2. A realistic love triangle with the introduction of the MCU's Gwen Stacy

If the ending of No Way Home is any indication, the other big story will be Peter trying to win MJ back now that she can't remember who he is. I don't know when the next movie will be set, but they should be in college or around that age. I love Zendaya and how her character has evolved, but it's time to introduce Gwen Stacy in the MCU. We've seen her in the previous Spider-Man series. Bryce Dallas Howard played a small supporting role in Spider-Man 3, and Emma Stone was the main love interest in both Amazing Spider-Man movies. 

I think they'd choose someone close to Tom Holland and Zendaya's age when casting Gwen. I've seen names like Milly Alcock (House of the Dragon) and Emma Myers (Wednesday) considered for their likeness to the character, but both feel too young, born in 2000 and 2002, respectively. My leading candidates are Anya  Taylor-Joy, Grace van Dien, and Chloe Grace Moretz. I can't speak to their willingness to be in an MCU film, though Anya Taylor-Joy was in The New Mutants a few years ago, and Chloe Grace Moretz was previously in a superhero series in Kick-Ass. As much as I like the other two actresses, Grace van Dien would be my choice. It doesn't matter who they cast, as long as they have chemistry with Tom Holland. 

I can see fans complaining about a love triangle in their superhero movie. I can also see people upset with Peter ending up with someone else. It's fine with me, but only if they do it correctly. As he struggles to get MJ to remember him, Peter could be introduced to Gwen through one of his classes, and the two create a bond mirroring his and MJ's. I'd also be satisfied if Peter and Gwen ended up together by the film's end. Peter and MJ together should be the endgame, but this reset is the perfect time to shake things up. 

3. Villain Options 

I have no clue who Marvel would want to bring in as the next villain for Spider-Man to face, but I have a few suggestions. I want to clarify that I'm not suggesting they all be in one movie. These are just my ideas. 

Flash Thompson/Venom

It has been teased during the end credits of Venom: Let There Be Carnage and No Way Home. It's time that we finally get some payoff by introducing Venom. It won't be Tom Hardy's version of the character, which might be a good thing. Eddie Brock is the best-known incarnation of the character, but it'd be cool to get a different version of Venom this time. Flash Thompson, played in the MCU by Tony Revolori, has been in all three MCU films. He's a fan of Spider-Man but doesn't like Peter Parker. They would be deviating from his backstory, but it would be interesting to see Flash get his turn with the symbiote after we got the teaser that part of it is sticking around after No Way Home. My only concern with this version of Flash is that he doesn't fit the preferred body type. It would also be interesting to get a lesser-known carrier of Venom from the comics, like Lee Price. Bringing in Price would fit into my next villain choice. That might be too obscure, and most people wouldn't recognize him by name alone. 

Dream Casting for Lee Price- Alan Ritchson. His aura is intimidating, and outside of having blonde hair (instead of black), he could provide a rugged, ex-military-type performance. 

Dream Casting for Eddie Brock (should they opt to have a new one)- Jai Courtney. He'd be able to handle the physicality and reminds me a little of Tom Hardy, just younger. 

Felicia Hardy/Black Cat

In the MCU's 15 years, there have only been three leading female villains. It took almost a decade to get the first one with Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. Spider-Man has his fair share of female villains to contend with. The one that I see translating best to the MCU is Felicia Hardy. We got a glimpse of her in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, played by Felicity Jones, and we would likely see her take the Black Cat mantle if there was a sequel. Throughout her comic run, Black Cat has been both an ally and an adversary of Spider-Man, turning into a love interest at one point. Having her start as an adversary and then teaming up with Spider-Man by the end would be the best play. I wouldn't bother making her a love interest, especially with my previous suggestion to introduce Gwen Stacy.

Dream Casting for Black Cat- Samara Weaving. She gives off an unassuming vibe but could easily kill being a master burglar. She's also close to Tom Holland in age, so that will help too. 

Spencer and Alistair Smythe/Spider-Slayers

After reading about the backstory of the Smythes, there are some similarities between them and the Osborns throughout the original Spider-Man trilogy. Spencer Smythe dedicates his life to killing Spider-Man, and once he dies, his son, Alistair, takes over his work and his thirst to kill Spider-Man. There doesn't have to be much to this story. Spencer could be a college professor whose class Peter attends, develop the Spider-Slayers to kill Spider-Man, then die in front of Alistair with Spider-Man present. This gives Alistair a warped picture of what happened, motivating him to go after his father's "killer" as the Ultimate Spider-Slayer. Similar narratives have been done before but haven't been done in the MCU. 

Dream Casting for Spencer Symthe- Hugh Laurie. In my vision, the role wouldn't require fighting, so Laurie's presence and ability to be larger-than-life would be perfect. 

Dream Casting for Alistair Smythe- Tanner Buchanan. I have no doubt that Buchanan can handle the role's physicality from the Ultimate Spider-Slayer side and can exude arrogance in the proper role. 

Lonnie Lincoln/Tombstone

Another way you could shape the story would be to have an early issue between Black Cat and Tombstone, with Spider-Man intervening at some point and messing things up for Black Cat. While the two of them fight out their differences, Tombstone establishes himself as the main villain of the story, leading to a team-up between Spider-Man and Black Cat. How you'd get to that point would be beyond me. While his enforcer type is likely better suited for a secondary role, letting Tombstone be the primary villain would be interesting. Putting him in a setting where he can lead a gang of villains would open the possibility of having other minor characters battle with Spider-Man. 

Dream Casting for Tombstone- Michael Jai White. I genuinely think Marvin Jones III, the voice actor for Tombstone in Into the Spider-Verse, is perfect, but I don't want to double-cast. White has a history of playing superheroes and has a booming voice to kill it. 

Ned Leeds/Hobgoblin

It was alluded to in No Way Home once all of the Spider-Men came together, but I would be interested in seeing Ned Leeds finally become Hobgoblin. With Ned no longer knowing that Peter is Spider-Man, he would have no preconceived reason to take it easy on his former best friend. It would be out of character for the Ned that we've grown to love, but it would be interesting for him to have a secret that he keeps from MJ. This feels like a long shot, though I think Marvel should consider it. 

4. Give Me Miles Morales in the MCU

Another "tease" from No Way Home, it's time we bring Miles Morales into the MCU. If the next Spider-Man comes before we get a Young Avengers film, this would be the best way to introduce him. Go ahead and establish him as a character, similar to how they brought in Peter Parker during Civil War, and go from there. Where Holland's character was mentored by Iron Man and several other Avengers, his next step could be to mentor the next Spider-Man. The only thing that would keep from doing this in the fourth film is that it feels like something Holland would do in his final film as a "passing the torch" moment. The casting choice could depend on how young you want him to be. I'd strongly consider Miles Brown (Black-ish) or Dallas Young (Cobra Kai). They're both young enough to fit into the range I'd be looking for, especially if our Miles will be in high school. 

5. Peter's identity remains a secret from all of the important people

I shouldn't have to explicitly state not to reverse your decision at the end of your last film, but that's what I'm saying here. I don't want Ned, MJ, or anyone else of consequence to find out Spider-Man is Peter Parker. The shock of the reveal needs to be built across several movies. If a villain finds out before they are killed, that's one thing. Anyone that is going to be sticking around for another film should be left in the dark. The only exception I'd make to that rule would be Miles Morales if they choose to bring him in. If they do that, he can know. That would help build a rapport between the two web-slingers. Keep the mystery as long as possible before hitting us with that bomb again.