These two classic Spider-Man characters will appear in Spider-Man 4, reports say

Rumors of what we might or might not expect in Spider-Man 4 have been popping up more frequently since Tom Holland confirmed the movie is happening. One such report by insider Thaddeus Windsor claims that both Harry and Norman Osborn—characters absolutely inherent to the institution that is Spider-Man — will be featured in the film. Some are wondering if this is another multiverse moment bringing back Sam Raimi’s take on the characters or if we’ll be introduced to something totally new. If you ask me, given what our Spider-Man has so far experienced with Norman Osborn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I think this has the potential to introduce some really interesting dynamics into this story.

The Osborns were introduced so early in the original Spider-Man comics, it’s easy to assume Peter always had Harry as his best friend. But, actually, Harry was introduced in 1965 after Peter had already started college—much like the position our MCU Peter has recently found himself in. MCU Peter is completely alone, having recently lost his only family, his best friend, and his girlfriend. It would make total sense for a new, fresh-faced Harry Osborn to take interest in this new Wiz kid. And, of course, for Norman to take Peter under his wing.

But here’s the twist: Peter already knows Norman. Or at least one version of him. Since Willem Dafoe’s frankly show-stealing reprisal performance of Norman Osborn in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is going to have so many feelings and prejudices about these Osborns. Norman killed Aunt May. He’s still mourning the loss of Ned and MJ and probably won’t be looking for new friends like Harry. I think Peter approaching the Osborns with coldness and mistrust could be a really interesting development for this character and for the relationship dynamics we expect for the three of them. Especially in grounding and actualizing the character of MCU Peter Parker.

It’s been said before that none of MCU Peter’s solo movies have been about him. The villains weren’t his, the costume wasn’t his, and he was usually just responding to things other people were doing around him. Bringing in new MCU Osborns for Peter to respond to and have a relationship with—and the Osborns to have a relationship and motivation that revolved around this Peter—would be huge in establishing him as his own man. And would give him a space in this new time in his life where he has no family, no friends, and no extra-superhero support to find out who he really is.

That’s not to say we should bring in Green Goblin right away in Spider-Man 4—I still think it should be a street-level crime story—but setting it up and bringing in such structural characters could really help take this film in the right direction.