Marvel Studios is introducing a fresh face to the MCU with Ironheart, a new miniseries centered on Riri Williams—a teen tech prodigy who builds her own suit of armor inspired by Iron Man. Played by Dominique Thorne, Riri first appeared in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and now leads her own story. Although often called the Ironheart movie, it’s actually a six-episode series packed with action, tech, and heart. The Ironheart MCU series explores legacy and innovation in a post-Tony Stark world.

• Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Alden Ehrenreich
• Created by: Chinaka Hodge
• Production Company: Marvel Studios
• Filming Locations: Chicago, IL & Atlanta, GA

Captain America: Brave New World is coming soon, and excitement is building. As the next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this film continues the legacy of Steve Rogers while firmly establishing Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. Before its release, it’s the perfect time to revisit key Marvel movies that shaped Captain America’s story. This guide highlights the essential films to watch, showcasing Steve Rogers’ journey, major conflicts, and the evolution of his character. Get ready for action, drama, and the key moments that define Captain America’s role in the MCU.

1. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

This film introduces Steve Rogers, a scrawny soldier turned super-soldier. It explores his origin, World War II battles, and his fight against Hydra. Steve’s friendship with Bucky Barnes is central to the story. He sacrifices himself to save the world and crashes into the Arctic. The movie ends with him waking up in modern times.

2. The Avengers (2012)

Captain America joins Earth’s mightiest heroes to stop Loki. He struggles to adjust to modern life but quickly takes a leadership role. The Battle of New York tests his teamwork with Iron Man, Thor, and others. His shield proves invaluable against Loki’s army. The film solidifies his place as a crucial Avenger.

3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Steve Rogers faces a hidden Hydra threat within S.H.I.E.L.D. Bucky Barnes returns as the deadly Winter Soldier, leading to an emotional confrontation. The film redefines Captain America’s trust issues and moral dilemmas. He works with Black Widow and Falcon to expose Hydra. The fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. changes the MCU forever.

4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

The Avengers battle Ultron, a rogue AI created by Tony Stark. Captain America takes charge, trying to keep the team together. The film introduces Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, changing the team dynamic. Steve questions the Avengers’ future and their role in global security. His tension with Iron Man starts to build.

5. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

The Avengers split over government oversight and the Sokovia Accords. Steve Rogers fights against Tony Stark, believing in personal freedom. His loyalty to Bucky Barnes puts him at odds with former allies. The epic airport battle marks a turning point for the MCU. By the end, Steve gives up his shield and goes into hiding.

6. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Captain America returns to protect Earth from Thanos. He leads the battle in Wakanda, hoping to stop the Mad Titan. His reunion with Bucky is short-lived before tragedy strikes. Despite his strength, he fails to prevent the Snap. The film ends with him watching friends turn to dust.

7. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Steve Rogers leads the Avengers in a time-heist to undo Thanos’ destruction. He wields Mjolnir in battle, proving his worthiness. His final fight alongside Iron Man and Thor is legendary. After victory, he chooses to stay in the past with Peggy Carter. He returns as an old man, passing the shield to Sam Wilson.

8. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

This series follows Sam Wilson accepting the mantle of Captain America. He struggles with the weight of Steve Rogers’ legacy. Bucky Barnes seeks redemption, facing his dark past. Together, they battle new threats and redefine what Captain America represents. The show sets up Captain America: Brave New World.

In Theaters Today: Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

This upcoming film will be Sam Wilson’s first solo outing as Captain America. It explores his struggles and responsibilities in the role. New villains and allies emerge, testing his strength and leadership. The movie is expected to expand on political themes and the legacy of the shield. Fans can anticipate an action-packed continuation of the Captain America story.

Final Thoughts

Rewatching these films will enhance your Captain America: Brave New World experience. Each movie builds the story leading to Sam Wilson’s new role. Prepare for action, drama, and a fresh chapter in the MCU!

More Like This:

• Captain America: Brave New World – MCU Comparison & Details
• Mickey 17: A Genre-Bending Adventure Starring Robert Pattinson
• Top Sci-Fi and Fantasy Movies to Watch from the Past 5 Years

It’s been 27 years since X-Men: The Animated Series bowed out, and while some worried a modern revival would be little more than a nostalgic cash grab, we die-hards always knew it would be a hit. Still, few expected X-Men ’97 to be a near-perfect return that put the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s recent output to shame. After all these years, it seems our brightly colored spandex still fits. As the dust settles on X-Men ’97 and we look ahead to the confirmed season 2, there are already talks of season 3 and an even wider Marvel Animated Universe.

Mary Jane Where Are You?

For those who grew up with the vibrant colors of Marvel cartoons in the ‘90s, it’s likely a close call on whether X-Men: The Animated Series or Spider-Man: The Animated Series was your favorite. For those disappointed Spidey hasn’t had the X-Men ‘97 treatment, Disney could be weaving one into its grand plans for the MAU. 

Running from 1994 to 1998, Spider-Man: The Animated Series fell just short of X-Men: The Animated Series’ 76 episodes but long outlived the likes of the Iron Man, Fantastic Four, and Silver Surfer standalones. Back then, showrunner John Semper confirmed there were plans for more, but with Fox refusing to stump up the money and production company New World Entertainment going bump, this is where the story ended.

Whereas X-Men: The Animated Series went out on its own terms and delivered the epic “Graduation Day”, Spider-Man was left on a cliffhanger for the ages. After polishing off its epic “Secret Wars” arc, 1998’s “Chapter II: Farewell, Spider-Man” ended with Madame Web promising she’d help Peter Parker find Mary Jane Watson, who had been shoved through a portal by the Green Goblin in the season 3 finale. This sounds primed for exploration in a potential Spider-Man ‘98 series.

What a wicked web we weave

Far from being a fannish pipe dream, X-Men ‘97 sowed the seeds of a potential Spider-Man ’98. A surprise cameo from Spider-Man in episode 8 confirmed we’re still one big happy family. Doubling down on the hype for a Spider-Man revival, the finale features a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from Peter Parker and MJ. X-Men ‘97 showrunner Beau DeMayo already confirmed this is the same Spidey played by Christopher Daniel Barnes in the ‘90s and has now stirred the pot by confirming, “Yes, Peter Parker found MJ.”

pidey has always rivaled Batman as having one of the best rogues galleries out there, and Spider-Man: TAS’s enemies outshined most live-action portrayals. Alongside the all-star roster of the Insidious Six, there were brilliant portrayals of Hobgoblin, Alistair Smythe and Black Cat, as well as everyone from Blade to Doctor Doom. As the X-Men ‘97 finale featured a smorgasbord of cameos winking to a wider world, a Spider-Man revival can do the same.

Mysterio, Dormammu and … Jack the Ripper?

In terms of where we go next, there were whole plans for an unprotected sixth season that seem too good to pass up on. Aside from the obvious trip across the Multiverse with Madame Web, Peter was going to team up with Ghost Rider to take on Mysterio and Dormammu. Richard Fisk was going to become a new villain called the Rose, Hulk was tipped to appear, and there were plans for a more serious take on 1981’s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends cartoon.

Season 6 was pitched as a race across the Multiverse to find MJ, with a possible clash in the past with Jack the Ripper. Semper claimed he once wanted a much bigger Secret Wars crossover that could’ve seen the entire roster of X-Men and Spider-Man clash. Even a handful of these ideas would be more than enough to stock a Spider-Man ‘98 series to fill in the gaps between the events of “Chapter II: Farewell, Spider-Man” and a proposed revival. 

Beyond the Spider-Verse 

More than just the bones being laid some 26 years ago and fans asking for a mythical Spider-Man ‘98, Semper has discussed the idea with ComicBookMovie.com. Admitting there are a couple of hurdles, Semper cheered, “If someone wants to call me and say, ‘Hey, we’re gonna do more episodes and we’re going to leave you alone,’ I’d be there in a heartbeat.”

Similarly, Barnes seems more than ready to swing from the rooftops, thanking fans on X (formerly Twitter) for the support surrounding Spider-Man ‘98. Despite teases from DeMayo and Semper, Barnes confirmed what we all suspected and says that he hasn’t been contacted about a revival series. Then again, he would, wouldn’t he? But that’s just the problem: it’s not as easy as dusting off these characters and plonking them back into their own series.

As Semper noted, the rights for Spider-Man are currently split between Disney and Sony, which led to the infamous 2019 fallout where it looked like Tom Holland’s hero would be annexed from the MCU. If that wasn’t enough, there’s already a Spider-Man cartoon in the works in the form of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (previously known as Spider-Man: Freshman Year).

Peter Parker Pop-Ups?

We don’t see two cartoons running in tandem, but that doesn’t mean Spider-Man ‘98 won’t eventually suit up for action. One possible wrench in the works is that DeMayo is no longer attached to X-Men ‘97. Details surrounding his departure remain sketchy. But just because he envisions Web-Head’s further adventures to explain how he rescued MJ across the Multiverse, it doesn’t mean other writers do. 

While we’re not too hopeful for a full-blown series just yet, Barnes seems primed to appear in Beyond the Spider-Verse (TAS Spider-Man was MIA in the last movie). If not, there’s an even bigger chance that Peter, MJ, and some of those rotten rogues will pop up again in X-Men ‘97 season 2.

Whether Spider-Man ‘98 can rise from the ashes like a Phoenix Force remains to be seen. But either way, we’re crawling the wall with excitement that the Marvel Animated Universe could be at the start of its very own Phase 1. 

Author Bio:

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe assembled the Avengers, the Marvel Animated Universe united the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and the X-Men. The latter’s success undoubtedly led to 2000’s live-action X-Men, which in turn kickstarted our ongoing obsession with comic book movies. 

All these years later, as the once-unflappable MCU struggles with juggling the box office alongside a slate of Disney+ shows multiplying faster than Multiple Man, X-Men ‘97 is giving us more than just the sweet scent of nostalgia. In fact, this trip down memory lane is better than anything the MCU has produced in recent memory. 

An animated Infinity War

Despite only being set a year after the events of The Animated Series‘ “Graduation Day” finale, X-Men ‘97 feels like a much more mature affair. Jubilation “Jubilee” Lee (now voiced by Holly Chou) feels like she’s grown. No longer the newcomer, Jubilee has taken Sunspot under her wing — possibly teasing a New Mutants spin-off to make up for the flaws of Josh Boone’s live-action attempt. 

Nods to other teams like Xavier’s original X-Men and the X-Force are mixed with cameos from a certain wall-crawling hero and patriotic Avenger to set the stage for a much wider world of animated mutant adventures. This seems increasingly likely, considering producer Brad Winderbaum told ComicBook.com that X-Men ’97 Season 3 has already been given the green light. What’s most amazing is that X-Men ‘97 has a scope that’s on par with even the biggest Avengers movies. 

We’ll remember “Remember It”

While it’s hard to pick a ‘best’ MCU movie, you’d be hard-pushed to find one much better than 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War. The third Avengers movie is immortalized by Thanos’ snap, which turned the competition to dust and is remembered as one of the most iconic movie moments of all time. For those who’ve been sleeping on X-Men ‘97, season 1 has already reached similar highs. 

X-Men ‘97’s “Remember It” serves as the revival’s own Infinity War. As well as cueing Charles Xavier’s return after his cliffhanger ending in The Animated Series, we waved goodbye to series staples including Gambit. More than delivering a gut-punch twist no one saw coming, Episode 5’s animation style put the MCU’s recent over-reliance on CGI to shame. Up there with The Simpsons’ “Who Shot Mr. Burns? Part One” and BoJack Horseman’s “The View from Halfway Down”, there’s something wrong if history doesn’t look back on “Remember It” as one of the greatest cartoon episodes of all time. 

X marks the spot

It’s fair to say Phase 5 of the MCU (dubbed Phase Zero as something of a reset) has had a lukewarm reception. Aside from Loki season 2 as an outlier, the likes of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Secret Invasion have been struck by some of the franchise’s worst reviews. Added to this, there’s been an increase in complaints about the MCU going “woke,” with The Marvels and Echo largely being (unfairly) panned for their female-first stories. 

X-Men ‘97 has kept The Animated Series‘ strong ensemble of male and female characters, but apart from the odd grumble about Morph being non-binary, the discourse has largely been confined to a few angry YouTube videos. The X-Men have always represented diversity, and unlike Eternals awkwardly shoehorning in Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) as the MCU’s first openly gay hero, Morph has easily fit into the group. 

X-women

There are all the usual powerhouse performances from Storm, Jean, and the rest of the women, however, it’s been a particularly strong season for Lenore Zann’s fan-favorite Rogue. Given Rogue’s legacy from The Animated Series and how Fox did Anna Paquin’s live-action version dirty, it’s refreshing that X-Men ’97 isn’t taking the easy route by putting emphasis on the overly manly Wolverine to hyping Hugh Jackman’s imminent MCU debut.

Boasting largely the same cast as X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men ‘97 feels familiar yet fresh. It’s this nostalgia that Deadpool & Wolverine is seemingly relying on, bracing us for a who’s who of famous faces from the past of the MCU and beyond — yes, Jennifer Garner is back as Elektra. It’s similar to how What…If? has earned rave reviews for bringing back characters we’ve learned to love since the MCU’s inception. 

Comic book stories like Storm losing her powers and the controversial introduction of Madelyne Pryor slot in beside massive arcs like Grant Morrison’s cataclysmic “E is for Extinction” or Fabian Nicieza and Scott Lobdell’s “Fatal Attractions.”  All have been squeezed down to 30-minute episodes instead of being bloated MCU movies, done without feeling like X-Men ‘97 is overstuffed. There’s a reason that we’ve had two failed live-action adaptations of “The Dark Phoenix Saga” while X-Men: The Animated Series soared with its own take in 1994. 

The New Mutants 

After the fumbles of Dark Phoenix brought Fox’s stewardship of the X-Men to a close in underwhelming style, spirits are raised that Disney knows what it’s doing with its mutants.  MCU overlord Kevin Feige has been teasing the X-Men since Disney acquired Fox in 2019, and with no official news on when they’ll make their debut, X-Men ‘97 can carry the torch.

If the series can keep season 1’s quality, hype for the X-Men could be at an all-time high. That’s before we get to casting their live-action counterparts, with everyone from Henry Cavill to Halle Berry, Taylor Swift to Giancarlo Esposito causing a stir. 

Importantly, X-Men ‘97 is a fun watch that could have some actual ramifications for the mainline MCU. After Feige told Entertainment Weekly we’d be seeing the X-Men “perhaps soon” in live-action, X-Men ’97 now sits in the “Multiverse Saga” section of Disney+’s Marvel projects, and the X-Men Instagram has been officially renamed “Xmenofficial.”

Speaking of the eventual live-action return of the X-Men, X-Men ’97 directors Chase Conley and Emi Yonemura told Screen Rant they’d be interested in helming the expected standalone movie. We’re not the ones writing the checks, but like the brilliant brainwave that Sam Raimi could return to direct the next Spider-Man movie, we say sign them up. 

Whether X-Men ‘97 will be folded into all of this remains to be seen, but after Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness featured Patrick Stewart in Xavier’s yellow hoverchair, we’d be disappointed if the acclaimed animation wasn’t at least given the nod. In the meantime, the final episode of X-Men ‘97 looks like it’s heading toward an MCU-worthy finale that’ll put the franchise’s recent output to shame. As we cue that iconic theme tune,  seems our animated X-Men  finally might be getting the credit they deserve. 

Author’s Bio:

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

Things are looking brighter for the House of Mouse in 2024, as two more long-standing IPs are making their return in the form of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Deadpool & Wolverine. New directors are taking the reins of these goliaths for the first time since 2017 and 2018, and while one has a few decades on the other in terms of cinematic outings, both are poised to put butts on folding seats. 

The ‘Ape’ Escape

Based on Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel La Planète des singes, The Planet of the Apes first hit our screen in 1968. The original starred Charlton Heston, some dodgy hairdos on the titular apes, and one of the most famous movie endings of all time. Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was gripped by franchise fatigue, The Planet of the Apes was churning out movies like nobody’s business.

Although Heston was reluctant to return, he came back as George Taylor for 1970’s Beneath the Planet of the Apes under the proviso his character would be killed off and his fee could be donated to charity. Heston was more than happy to step aside to let Dr. Cornelius (Roddy McDowall/David Watson) become the franchise’s MVP. 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the other two sequels in 20th Century Fox’s reboot era similarly focused on an ape protagonist, with Andy Serkis’ Caesar being synonymous with the series. 

Following Caesar’s death in War for the Planet of the Apes and a time jump of 300 years, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is another fresh take that can still ride on the successes of what came before. Merging the old and the new, The Maze Runner’s Wes Ball is taking his cues from 56 years of Apes movies and is planning a new trilogy of Ape movies.

We’re still a way off from the ludicrous prosthetics and fully evolved apes of Tim Burton’s 2001 disaster, although Kingdom is a new Apes movie that very much feels like it’s cut from the same cloth of Rupert Wyatt and Matt Reeves’ reboot days. It’s been seven years since the credits rolled on War for the Planet of the Apes, and even though Disney teased a franchise future after it purchased Fox in 2019, we didn’t know what form it would take. Importantly, Kingdom is in a similarly lucrative place as Deadpool & Wolverine where fans are likely to tune in to see what’s changed. 

February 2024’s Super Bowl trailer gave us a better look at how apes have evolved in this time, with some neat throwbacks to Franklin J. Schaffner’s 1968 classic of apes hunting humans on horseback. Still, our first looks at the movie have left plenty of intrigue, showcasing apes finding their place in the ashes of the human world. Lead actor Owen Teague tells Entertainment Weekly how Kevin Durand’s Proximus Caesar is like a hairy Thomas Edison, learning about technology. This makes the line “Apes will learn, I will learn, and I will conquer” all the more poignant.

Just as the revival series had the A-list pulling power of Gary Oldman and Woody Harrelson, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has nabbed William H. Macy and The Witcher’s Freya Allan. Whereas the revival series focused on Serkis’ Caesar, we have the feeling that Ball is flipping this on its head to make Allan’s Nova (a feral human girl) its focal point. As for the idea that the two sagas will be linked by Teague’s Noa being the descendant of Caesar, he categorically told EW this isn’t the case. Instead, Proximus Caesar has taken the name as a nod to Caesar as a “father figure” of the apes.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has the numbers to back up its potential success, and even though War was criticised as a dark way to round out the first trilogy, it made an impressive $490 million during a summer that Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, Transformers: The Last Knight, and The Mummy all tanked. We’re finally leaping into the era of hyper-intelligent apes we’ve been hoping for since Burton botched the nineties revival.

Still, we’re not quite sure we’re ready for 2001’s Planet of the Apex actor Paul Giamatti telling IGN, “I think it’d be great to have apes driving cars, smoking cigars.”

The claws are out in Deadpool & Wolverine

Speaking of cigars, a certain cigar-chomping mutant is back in action. While the Deadpool movies don’t have the same long-running nostalgia as Planet of the Apes, thE upcoming threequel is also looking to the past before heading forward. Notably, there’s the much-hyped return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Although the Super Bowl trailer stopped short of revealing which era of the clawed Canadian will be facing off against the Merc with a Mouth, Jackman promised SiriusXM it won’t mess with the poignant end of James Mangold’s Logan.

The X-Men movies are known for screwing with timelines (thanks Days of Future Past), and while it’s arguably benefitted the series, it’s even more confusing than the standard MCU continuity. We know there are some pretty big cameos on the way, with the trailer confirming the surprise inclusion of X2’s Aaron Stanford, aka Pyro. Set photos have also teased the return of original trilogy characters including Toad and Sabretooth, and let’s not forget that Daredevil’s Jennifer Garner is confirmed to reprise her role as Elektra Natchios …for some reason. 

Closer to home, Deadpool 3 is a who’s who of returning faces from its own history, although we’re more than a little disappointed that Deadpool 2’s Zazie Beetz isn’t back as Domino. Series staples like Morena Baccarin’s Vanessa, Leslie Uggams’ Blind Al, and Rob Delaney’s fan-favorite Peter are all on the roster. There are ties to the wider MCU thanks to the return of Loki’s TVA, while Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen seems to be filling in for Owen Wilson’s Mobius as some TVA bigwig. Of course, everyone is expecting the standard Patrick Stewart cameo as Professor Charles Xavier. 

There are the odd worries that Deadpool & Wolverine will be a character-stuffed outing that panders to fan service instead of actual storytelling, but with this finally looking like the movie to integrate the X-Men into the MCU, we’ve got high hopes. Also, let’s not forget the trailer’s blink-and-you’ll-miss-it inclusion of what looks like Emma Corrin’s head, backing up rumors that The Crown alumni will be playing Cassandra Nova — the villainous twin sister of Professor X from the future.

In particular, Deadpool & Wolverine is off to a flying start and became the most-viewed trailer of all time by racking up 365 million views in just 24 hours. With the MCU being the way it is right now, many laughed off X-Men: First Class’ Matthew Vaughn, telling BroBible it will be a “jolt” that could ‘save’ the franchise. With Deadpool 2 and 2016’s Deadpool being the third and fourth highest-grossing R-rated movies of all time, the fact the next chapter is part of the MCU can only be good news for Disney’s bottom line. And is that Doctor Doom we see standing atop a gigantic Jack Kirby-esque mechanical thingamabob?

The future of the franchise 

There’s no problem with admitting defeat, and as franchises like James Bond and Pirates of the Caribbean plan their returns, we’re bemoaning the idea that we’ll be watching Avatar movies until at least 2031. Warner Bros.’ DCU has recruited Guardians of the Galaxy legend James Gunn to oversee its own hopeful return to form, but already, a stacked Chapter One slate suggests we’ll be running before we can walk. If anything, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes could fall victim to this — pinning its hopes on a ‘new’ franchise before the first movie has even released. 

At a time when Scream VII looks like it’s dead in the water, The Fast and the Furious does a U-turn on promises it would end after 10 movies, Sony continues to flog its Spider-Man-lite Venom-Verse, and we question who on Earth greenlit a Jurassic World: Dominion sequel, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Deadpool & Wolverine are here to prove that the reign of the summer franchise blockbuster is anything but over. 

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

It wasn’t long ago that Marvel and Sony drew their battle lines over the rights to Spider-Man, leading to grand plans for the SSU – Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. With Venom and Morbius (somewhat unsuccessfully) proving you don’t need Spider-Man to make a Spider-Man movie, Sony is flicking through the pages of Marvel Comics and hoping to showcase a who’s who of antiheroes and villains.

While it’s only a matter of time until the animated Spider-Verse movies collide with the MCU, the Venom-Verse, and beyond, fans are also waiting for the inevitable Sinister Six movie. The Venom-Verse has planted the seeds with Tom Hardy’s sinister symbiote and Jared Leto’s living vampire, but if we want to expand the ranks to the Sinister 12 (yes, they exist in the comics), here are 12 Spider-Man villains who need their own live-action outing. 

Black Cat

One movie that continues to give us ‘claws’ for thought is the idea of a Black Cat standalone. It’s a crying shame that Felicity Jones never got to slip into spandex after she briefly played Felicia Hardy in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, while there were once reports that Anne Hathaway was going to play her in Sam Raimi’s canned Spider-Man 4. 

First appearing in 1979’s The Amazing Spider-Man #194, Hardy’s backstory is as the daughter of a renowned cat burglar who becomes a fearsome fighter after being assaulted by an ex-boyfriend. As one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries (and occasional lover), it would be amiss if a Sinister Six lineup didn’t have this feminine feline. It’s even more unfortunate that we were supposed to have a Black Cat movie in the form of Gina Prince-Bythewood’s axed Silver & Black. 

Chameleon

Having the honor of being the first villain Spider-Man faced must count for something, and some 61 years after Dmitri Smerdyakov was introduced, he’s long overdue his shot at the top. Largely overshadowed by the fact he’s Kraven the Hunter’s half-brother, fans often forget that Chameleon is a lethal enemy who can disguise himself as anyone. We imagine an espionage thriller where some shady cabal is trying to catch up to Chameleon. 

Numan Acar is seemingly playing Dmitri in Kraven the Hunter, but with it likely being a small part so as not to steal the limelight from Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s titular hunter, the setup for a Chameleon movie is already there. If not, his reputation as a master of disguise means anyone could play him. 

Tombstone

For those who’ve watched Spider-Man: The Animated Series, few stuck fear into our hearts on a Saturday morning quite like Lonnie Lincoln, aka Tombstone. Spider-Man himself describes Tombstone as “Cold as ice, hard as marble,” giving the kind of brute force Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin provides the MCU. Still, it’s his terrifying appearance of pale skin and filed teeth that most remember. 

Spider-Man movies have typically focused on a roster of big names like Doc Ock and Green Goblin, whereas Tombstone is a horrifying street-level menace. Having gone up against everyone from Captain America to Deadpool, a Tombstone movie doesn’t need to worry about bringing over Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. There’s also a plausible foe for Tombstone to go against in the form of the equally underrated Hammerhead. 

Morlun

Often dubbed Spider-Man’s deadliest foe, Morlun feels like an endgame character for some eventual Spidey showdown. As a threat to the entire Multiverse, Morlun would be the perfect addition to bring the various strands of the Spider-Verse together. We know Keanu Reeves is interested in a Marvel movie, with some pitching him as the ideal Morlun. 

First appearing in 2001’s The Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #30, Morlun is a Multiverse-touring monster from Earth-001. Known for feasting on our eight-legged heroes, Morlun has a single purpose of wiping all Spider-Totems from existence, is a real threat to the Multiverse, and even briefly killed Peter Parker. Having Morlun lead a movie as an outcast of the Inheritors would be true gothic horror to show the darker side of the Spider-Verse. 

Hobgoblin

Yes, we’re all dying to see who plays Norman Osborn and presumably take on the mantle of the Green Goblin in the MCU (we’re looking at you, Bryan Cranston), but there’s another Goblin who deserves his chance to fly high. Much more than a Green Goblin rip-off, the various Hobgoblins have been hitting us with pumpkin bombs since 1983.

As the thinking man’s Green Goblin, Roderick Kingsley is the former boss of Mary Jane Watson and a criminal mastermind who lets the others take the fall after framing them as the Hobgoblin. There have been plenty of theories about whether Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds will break bad and play Hobgoblin in Spider-Man 4, but in terms of a standalone, Kingsley can fly high as an eccentric fashion designer who turned to a life of crime. 

Mister Negative

The success of Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man has undoubtedly helped raise Mister Negative’s street cred, so why not convert that into box office numbers? Giving us a real Jekyll and Hyde, Martin Li is split between his kind-hearted nature as the overseer of F.E.A.S.T. (Mister Positive) and his darker side – looking like a photographic negative.

Li was originally thought to be suffering from Disassociative Identity Disorder, and although this was phased out, it could be brought back in for Sony’s own version of Moon Knight. More than just giving us ties to Spider-Man, Mister Negative has butted heads with the likes of Punisher and Shang-Chi. Sony could try to replicate the successes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, giving us a martial arts movie with a complicated antihero as its lead.

Beetle

Beetle is another Spidey villain who’s seen a surprising number of characters take the mantle. A live-action Beetle movie could pick from any iterations, but would likely focus on Abner Jenkins as the most famous to dress in the Iron Man-esque suit. If you want to take the female-first route, follow later Beetles like Leila Davis as the widow of Ringer or Janice Lincoln as Tombstone’s daughter. 

Jenkins’ Beetle went on to form the Sinister Syndicate, joined the Thunderbolts under the new alias of MACH-1, and even exists in the MCU thanks to the Spider-Man Homecoming Fight or Flight comic. Beetle might be a low-level villain, but you could introduce them in a similar way to Paul Giamatti’s Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, then allow Beetle to spread their wings in a standalone. Then again, with DC’s Blue Beetle movie recently bombing, we’re not sure Sony would want to tackle this one. 

Black Tarantula

Like Black Cat to Catwoman, Black Tarantula is effectively Marvel’s answer to Bane. Venom occupies a similar role as the anti-Spider-Man, although the live-action version lacks the grunt that Black Tarantula would arguably bring. In a sentence we never thought we’d write, Carlos LaMuerta’s Black Tarantula is basically Spider-Man meets Wolverine…but with laser eyes.

Originating as a cartel leader, Black Tarantula was trained by the Hand and teamed up with other criminal enterprises for his own gains. A Black Tarantula movie is an easy place to cue other villains or have cameos from the likes of Kingpin and Tombstone. With the Black Tarantula moniker being passed down from father to son, the perfect setup is there of Spider-Man killing Carlos early on, only for his son to head out on a gruesome saga of revenge. 

Silver Sable

Another female powerhouse waiting in the wings is Silvija Sablinova, better known as Silver Sable and coming from the fictional state of Symkaria. This merc for hire has been dispatched as both an enemy or ally to Spider-Man since her debut in 1985’s The Amazing Spider-Man #265, and if she appears in live-action, we imagine a grittier and R-rated version of the MCU’s middling Black Widow movie.

There was talk about the ill-fated Silver & Black being reworked as a TV series, but as both Silver Sable and Black Cat have enough of a legacy to hold up a movie of their own, we say give it to them. More than this, her connections to Doctor Doom and place as the leader of the villainous Wild Pack means it’s likely a case of when (not if) Silver Sable makes the leap to live-action.

Jackal

Give Jackal a break because, let’s be honest, he’s more than deserving of his own movie. Professor Miles Warren was introduced back in 1965’s The Amazing Spider-Man #31, but when the Jackal arrived in 1974, Warren was revealed as a Gwen Stacy-obsessed villain who’d cracked cloning. This makes Jackal an MVP of Marvel Comics, having created some of the most important Spider-Man characters. 

Even though we’re not going to deny that the Clone Saga goes down in history as one of Marvel’s most divisive arcs – reportedly being linked to its filing for bankruptcy in the ‘90s – it could also be a franchise-shattering crossover if done properly. A Jackal movie can also give us Kaine Parker and Ben Reilly, setting up future movies like a Scarlet Spider spin-off.

Man-Wolf

While the idea of a space werewolf might sound like a faux Robert Rodriguez trailer playing before a Machete movie, Man-Wolf is a Marvel character that lends itself neatly to a movie without Spider-Man. As the son of J. Jonah Jameson, John Jonah Jameson III is a friend of Peter Parker, beloved astronaut, and has even been the husband of Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk.

After being infected with space spores that gave him super strength and going by the name of Captain Jupiter, Jameson again returned to the stars and was afflicted by dimensional ruby that reacted with moonlight and turned him into a lycanthropic villain. Man-Wolf would be a popular solo movie choice because he’s not a household Spidey character, his backstory has been tied to Morbius, and at the end of the day, who doesn’t love a good werewolf story? 

Agent Venom 

Flash Thomson is a Spider-Man side character who is long overdue for his own outing. Tony Revolori plays Flash in the MCU, but it’s a far cry from Joe Manganiello’s formidable bully of the Tobey Maguire days. Even though Revolori told Inverse he’d love to star in an Agent Venom movie, we could see a more traditional take on a PTSD-riddled Flash suiting up as part of the Hardy-led Venom-Verse. 

Flash’s bullying nature has a dark undercurrent of physical abuse at the hands of his alcoholic father, and after he loses both his legs in the Iraq War, he’s re-recruited by the military. You don’t even need to find someone new, as Manganiello is the perfect age to lead an Agent Venom movie. Picture the scene of a Saving Private Ryan war epic with symbiotes at its core.  

Want to learn all about MADAME WEB? Read our Explainer here

You can buy advance tickets for MADAME WEB here

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

Or vice versa.

Majors hit the headlines when he was arrested over charges of assault, strangulation and harassment in March 2023. There were questions about the potential MCU mainstay’s future with the franchise, and less than an hour after he was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment on December 18, Majors was dropped from the MCU.

A bit of a predicament when the next Avengers movie was supposed to be titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Kang’s short stint in the MCU

First appearing in Loki season 1 as He Who Remains, Majors was placed at the centre of the franchise’s Multiverse Saga. With He Who Remains kicking the bucket in a shocking finale twist, we could’ve had an exit here. Instead, the meddling madman warned there were “others” out there — how very Lost. For those up on their comics, they’ll know the many iterations of the time traveling Kang meant Majors was never going to be gone for long.

We got plenty more Kang for our buck in the divisive Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, where Paul Rudd’s pint-sized hero fought against the villain. There’s a pattern here, and with this variant also bested, the MCU had another chance to park Kang. But the MCU opted for the franchise-shattering post-credit that introduced the Council of Kangs. Featuring everyone from the mythological Rama-Tut, who was teased in Moon Knight, to the all-powerful future Kang known as Immortus, Majors was set to pull a lot more than just double duty.

Following Majors’ arrest, it was unclear how prominently he’d be featured in Loki season 2. After all, another Quantumania post-credit featured Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Mobius (Owen Wilson) scoping out Kang’s Victor Timely variant in 1893. Given that this would be Kang’s first MCU inclusion since Majors’ arrest, there were rumors that his role would be dramatically reduced. Early promos suggested this would be the case, but as the timey-wimey adventure kicked off, it became clear it was business as usual with Majors.

A “Majors” problem

This brings us up to date with MCU, and as we head into 2024, there’s a Disney-lite slate that sees the release of Sony movies like Kraven the Hunter, Fox’s post-acquisition Deadpool 3, and series including Echo and Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. This gives the powers-that-be time to assess what to do with the Kang situation. Similarly, Majors wasn’t officially on the docket for 2025 outings like Captain America: Brave New World or Matt Shakman’s Fantastic Four reboot.

Still, with the clue being in the name, 2026’s The Kang Dynasty undoubtedly had a major role for Majors. Given how the MCU likes to sprinkle teases ahead of time, it’s easy to imagine Majors was pencilled in for a return before then. As with Brie Larson and Mark Ruffalo popping up in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, we’ve learned to expect unexpected cameos. There are no more cameos for Majors, and with The Hollywood Reporter claiming Marvel Studios is now internally referring to The Kang Dynasty as Avengers 5, change is already happening.

Majors’ departure comes shortly after Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton stepped away from directorial duties on Avengers 5, and Loki’s Michael Waldron replaced Jeff Loveness on the screenplay. Filming was due to kick off in early 2024, but following Majors’ firing, delays abound. The SAG-AFTRA strikes already saw Avengers 5 slip from its May 2025 release, and now that May 2026 release is looking a lot less likely.

Norton, Howard…Majors

The question remains, will the MCU retool Kang with a new star in purple and green, or will we wave farewell to the character and his (many) variants to bring another big bad into the fold? The MCU is no stranger to recasting, with Don Cheadle taking over from Terrence Howard as James “Rhodey” Rhodes between Iron Man and Iron Man 2. There was the altogether more dramatic departure of Edward Norton, who Ruffalo replaced for The Avengers. If you can replace the Hulk, then nothing is impossible — especially with the Multiverse at your fingertips. 

One brilliant pitch is that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s Chukwudi Iwuji could take over from Majors. Iwuji’s turn as the unhinged High Evolutionary is up there with some of the MCU’s best villain performances, while Gunn confirming he survived in a deleted scene makes bringing him back fairly easy. Others have called for Loki standout Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Ravonna Renslayer to be reworked into a female Kang Variant. We’ve already seen similar with Loki and Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino), but if not, the fact that a vengeful Renslayer is marooned in The Void at the end of time gives her more than enough of an M.O. to take over from Kang without being a variant. 

Heading back into the MCU’s own “what if”, MCU overlord Kevin Feige could revisit his Kang casting list. Then again, Majors told Total Film he didn’t have to audition — suggesting he might’ve always been the top choice for the part. One person we know isn’t interested in John Boyega. The Star Wars actor has become a popular fan choice to replace Majors, but when someone asked him on Twitter/X, Boyega nixed the idea. Reintroducing any existing MCU actors or newcomers as a Kang variant becomes a little harder without Majors to ease the transition. Having someone other than Majors step onto the screen and say, “Hey, I’m Kang,” will feel a little clunky, but we’re sure the writers can work it out. 

New Blood

Kang was once central to the franchise’s future, and in a February 2023 exclusive, Feige told EW, “We’ve always had the inkling that Kang would be an amazing follow-up to Thanos.” Although he hyped Kang’s importance post-Quantumania, plans change.

The Loki season 2 finale puts us in an interesting place, and with the reformed God of Mischief becoming a live-action adaptation of the comic book God of Stories, he now has the power to rewrite the Multiverse. Although not confirmed, Loki could likely retcon Kang and the entire council out of the Multiverse — allowing a new big bad to step out of the shadows. Thankfully, there’s a groaning rogues gallery ready to step up to the plate.

We’re likely a way out from the planet-munching Galactus (who Feige has name-dropped as a personal favorite of his), while having Keanu Reeves play the Silver Surfer feels like a dream casting we should save for the next saga. Looking slightly closer to home, the role of the Beyonder in 1984’s “Secret War” comic makes him a prime candidate. Introducing the Beyonder before Avengers 5 presents more of a challenge because we don’t imagine he’d be a recruit for Jake Schreier’s Thunderbolts.

There have been whispers that the Beyonder would be the main villain of Secret Wars, but as he’s again rumored to be a Kang variant, it brings us back to the same headache. Hey, why not screw with all those WandaVision theorists and make Mephisto Kang’s replacement?

The sensible choice would be Victor Von Doom. Given his prominence in 2015’s “Secret Wars” comic, Doctor Doom is that perfect Thanos-level villain fans are dying to see.

It would be a little cliché to repeat the history of Tim Story’s Fantastic Four and Josh Trank’s Fant4stic by having Doom as the villain of Shakman’s upcoming franchise reboot, but with him being the quartet’s most iconic foe, it makes sense. Introducing Doctor Doom here would echo what Quantumania was clearly doing with Kang. Imagine having Vic bested at the end of Fantastic Four, setting him up as an even bigger problem for the next two Avengers movies. Variety claimed execs discussed swapping in Doom when Majors was arrested, so it’s not like the idea hasn’t already been floated. 

With complaints that the MCU is growing stale, a shakeup of this magnitude could have a silver lining. It’s a shame that all eyes were on Avengers 5 and Secret Wars as a return to form on the scale of Infinity War and Endgame, and if even half the wild rumors about potential returns for Tobey Maguire, Hugh Jackman, and more are true, it’ll be a wild ride. It’s arguably better that Majors is out now instead of later, allowing Shakman to take his place as a real-life God of Stories to rewrite the Multiverse in his own image.

Either way, we’re on the cusp of a new dawn while Kang, as we knew him, has been banished to his own Citadel at the End of Time. Now that’s done, so someone get Javier Bardem on the phone to offer him the part of Doctor Doom.

Based in Manchester, UK, Tom Chapman has over seven years’ experience covering everything from dragons to Demogorgons. Starting out with a stint at Movie Pilot in Berlin, Tom has since branched out to indulge his love of all things Star Wars and the MCU at Digital Spy, Den of Geek, IGN, Yahoo! and more. These days, you’ll find Tom channelling his inner Gale Weathers and ranting about how HBO did us dirty with Game of Thrones Season Eight.

In this article we’ll navigate Kraven’s untamed path from comics to games to film, exploring everything you need to know about the upcoming movies, and seeing if his portrayal in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 video game for PlayStation 5 (PS5) can provide some insight into what to expect. 

Can’t wait for the movie? Suit up on the PS5 and take on Kraven yourself! Swing by and catch our spoiler review of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

Who is Kraven the Hunter?

Kraven the Hunter, a.k.a. Sergei Kravinoff, made his notoriously memorable (or is it memorably notorious?} debut in 1964’s The Amazing Spider-Man #15. Possessing superhuman strength, unparalleled agility, and unmatched hunting skills, Kraven becomes consumed by an obsession to capture Spider-Man and thereby prove his relentless prowess. Notably, he’s also a founding member of the infamous Sinister Six, a rogues gallery of Spidey’s most dangerous (and popular) foes that also includes Sandman, Dr. Octopus, Mysterio, Vulture, and Electro.

How will Kraven be portrayed on the silver screen?

Set to portray the titular character, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson recently announced during his appearance at CineEurope in Barcelona that his version of Kraven would be retconned as an “animal lover” and a “protector of the natural world,” as reported by Variety. The trailer reinforces this interpretation, making it clear that the cinematic version of his origin story transforms him from a ruthless hunter bent on defeating Spider-Man to an abused antihero dedicated to destroying his father’s legacy.

It’s important to note that the Kraven the Hunter movie won’t be a part of Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) but will instead exist as a film within the distinct “Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU),” putting it alongside recent Spidey-adjacent flicks like Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Morbius.

When does the Kraven the Hunter movie come out?

Kraven the Hunter is set to debut in theaters on August 30, 2024. This comes after missing its two previous release dates of January 13, 2023, and then October 6, 2023, the latter from delays connected to the recently resolved Writer’s Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes.

Kraven the Hunter movie and the future of the SSU

Amid Kraven’s recent undercooked portrayal in the PS5 exclusive Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Sony’s decision to depict him as an antihero, fans are ambivalent about the upcoming film’s take on the character. At the root of this is the emerging realization that every upcoming SSU film will revolve around well-known Spider-Man villains retooled as antiheroes, all of whom have no connection to the web-slinger himself.

Take, for example:

Madame Web

Sony recently dropped the trailer for Madame Web, an upcoming SSU movie slated to release six months before Kraven the Hunter. Dakota Johnson as the main character sometimes teeters toward good, and occasionally totters toward bad, though it appears she leans a bit more toward good most of the time, which has the result of making her kinda sorta neutral, probably not a good thing when you want a character potent enough to carry an entire film. Madame Web does mark a significant milestone for the SSU as its first female-led Spidey spinoff, and while that could be refreshing, there’s also the screenplay written by Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama, known for the severely disappointing Morbius script. The general outlook among fans prospects is therefore … let’s leave it to Hayley Williams to say it.

But getting back to Kraven the Hunter, not everyone expects the worst. Some fans are optimistic that it’ll offer a refreshing departure from the gag humor that’s taken over the Disney MCU, case in point is its recent The Marvels, which we’ll leave Forbes to tell us about this time, and it isn’t pretty.

(It should be mentioned, in fairness, that some critics view the second season of the Disney+ show Loki as a high point for the MCU, presenting one of the most emotionally resonant and thought-provoking storylines to date).

Anyway, as we await the releases of Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web, we’re left to swing between optimism and pessimism like Spidey on a web line, or perhaps to balance those two polarities like the Madame as she does her teetering tightrope walk between good and evil.

Want to learn more about Madame Web? Make sure to catch our guide on how Sony’s Madame Web weaves into the SSU!

Key SSU 2024 release dates

On February 14, 2024, Sony’s Madame Web will make its debut, followed by Kraven the Hunter which is set to hit theaters on August 30, 2024, and finally, an untitled Venom: Let There Be Carnage sequel on November 8, 2024, further expanding the studio’s SSU film slate.

Ben Ahrens is a versatile Silicon Valley-based writer, content marketer, photographer, and graphic designer. His passion lies in crafting engaging stories for the entertainment industry and embracing the tech culture of the Bay Area to uncover the next ground-breaking innovations. When not weaving words, you’ll find him curating the perfect playlist for every occasion or exploring the diverse landscapes of Northern California.

Madame Web by contrast is deeply rooted in Spider-Man lore, a central figure in the Spider-Verse, while the other characters in the trailer are likewise “spider-people.” The lack of Spider-Man in the proceedings leaves these characters in the strange position of somehow existing without the focal impetus that sparks their circumstances in the comics. Therefore, this trailer can come off as extremely confusing for Spider-Man fans who are unfamiliar with the comic book backstories involving Madame Web and company. For those folks left scratching their heads after watching the trailer, here’s a deep dive into the events and characters portrayed within.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Who Is Madame Web?

The original Cassandra Webb a.k.a Madame Web from the comics was actually quite elderly, as opposed to 34-year-old Dakota Johnson who plays the character in the film. Webb was born with a neurodegenerative disease that caused her blindness and paralysis. She required the assistance of a life support system that (naturally) had a form similar to a spiderweb’s. Although these afflictions took their toll on her body, she was a mutant with a mind capable of powerful telepathic and clairvoyant abilities. X-Men fans might see a parallel between Cassandra’s circumstances and those of Charles Xavier.

Madame Web was first introduced in the Spider-Man comic books as a minor character who used her talents to help Spidey solve a case. However, she later became more prominent after being retconned as someone who draws her psychic powers not from mutant genes but the Web of Life and Destiny, which is the force that connects all the spider-people of the Spider-Verse.

As seen in the movie trailer, many of Madame Web’s aforementioned characteristics have been stripped away to provide a more lively, action-oriented protagonist. This younger version suffers from none of the original character’s debilitating health issues, and her clairvoyance here seemingly springs from a near-death experience in which Cassie becomes trapped in a car teetering on the side of a bridge while performing her duties as a paramedic. The car goes into the water with her, and she needs to be resuscitated.

Thereafter Cassie can see things before they happen. In one sequence she has a vision of entering a diner to tell Julia Carpenter (Sydney Sweeney), Mattie Franklin (Celeste O’Connor) and Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced) to come with her when a man in a very Spider-Man-like black costume with red highlights shows up and attacks the girls, killing Cassie with a knife in the process. When the vision ends, she’s back outside the diner and aware of what’s about to happen, stating, “Let’s try that again.”

Cassie’s precognitive abilities are further portrayed when she sees the same man coming for the three girls on a train, and then again when she’s able to foresee the man’s attacks during a high-speed chase, thereby enabling her to tell the others how to counter him. While Cassie’s reasons for protecting the three younger girls are still a bit murky by the trailer’s end, it’s revealed that they’re all somehow connected, with one of them even living in the same building as Cassie.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Who Are the Spider-Women?

Peter Parker’s conspicuous absence aside, there is another glaring omission to the cast of Madame Web. Instead of introducing Marvel Comics’ first Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, the movie seemingly skips right past her to two Spider-Women who succeeded her in Spider-Man canon, not to mention a Spider-Girl. These, we learn, are the three young girls that Cassie is trying to protect in the trailer. The man hunting them warns Cassie (more on this later) that she “has no idea what those girls become,” the clip providing a quick snippet of each girl in a distinct spider-suit.

In the comics, Julia Carpenter was the second person to assume the mantle of Spider-Woman after Jessica Drew, having gained her powers during an experiment (under the guise of an athletic study) by a government organization called The Commission. It provided her with essentially all of Spider-Man’s powers. But instead of web-shooters, this Spider-Woman had psionic abilities that could manifest as (surprise!) webs. Before Cassandra Webb died during the Grim Hunt, an attempt by Kraven’s widow to bring her beloved back to life, she passed her powers onto Julia, making her the new and current Madame Web in the comics.

Mattie Franklin, the other Spider-Woman featured in the trailer (and J. Jonah Jameson’s niece), gained her abilities through even more convoluted means–namely taking her father’s place in a ceremony called the Gathering of Five conducted by Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin. During this bizarre crapshoot of a ceremony, each of the five participants was given power, knowledge, immortality, insanity or death. Mattie lucked out, receiving power in the form of superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability, and even flight. Cassandra Webb, one of the other ritual participants, gained immortality.

Mattie later gained more spiderlike powers by absorbing them from Charlotte Witter, granddaughter of Madame Web, who was tortured by Doctor Octopus and tasked with hunting down all the spider-women to steal their abilities. Hey, sorry, we warned you this is convoluted. Anyway, once defeated by Mattie, those spider-related abilities flowed into her, giving Mattie venom blasts, wallcrawling powers and psychic spider legs on her back.

This being quite the complex origin story, it seems unlikely all of this will take place on the big screen.

Things don’t get any less complicated when it comes to how the comics’ Anya Corazon a.k.a Spider-Girl gains her powers. She first received superhuman strength and agility, as well as the ability to generate a highly durable carapace around herself via her induction into the Spider Society, an ancient sect of spider god worshippers. But her exoskeleton was eventually ripped from her body by Doomsday Man. She later gained all the same powers as Spider-Man, as did all of Manhattan, during 2011’s multiseries Spider Island crossover event. While the rest of the city was “cured” of their superpowers, Anya retained hers. She also has organic webbing and the ability to camouflage herself.

Who Is Ezekial Sims?

The Big Bad of the Madame Web movie is Ezekial Sims, played by Tahar Rahim. This is a pretty radical change from the comics, wherein Sims, in his short-lived role, was mostly an ally to Peter Parker. If it looks in the trailer like he has many of the same powers as Spider-Man, it’s because he does. He received them in a Spider Society ritual, although it’s eventually revealed in the comics by a character known as the Gatekeeper (no relation to the Ghostbusters villain) that Sims “stole” these abilities. Like Madame Web, Sims is much younger in the film than in the comics, which introduced him as an old man who’d used his powers to build wealth instead of playing the role of the hero.

Ezekial does exude some villainy later on when he reveals that the Gatekeeper will only allow either himself or Peter to live, and proceeds to defeat Peter in combat by drugging him. However, the two connect via spider-sense and Ezekial sees all the heroic and selfless acts Spider-Man has done to save people over his lifetime. As a result, an enlightened Ezekial sacrifices himself to save Peter.

This is a far cry from the murderer Ezekial appears to be in the Madame Web trailer. Cassie tells the other girls straight-out that he’s trying to kill them, which aligns with the portentous warning Sims gives Cassie about what the girls will become in the future. But the trailer gives no indication about why Julia, Mattie, and Anya becoming spider-people would motivate Sims’ nefarious actions against them.

Sims’ movie backstory also seemingly strays far from his comic origins. In the trailer Cassie tells the girls that Sims was in the Amazon with her mother, researching spiders, before she was killed. How Cassie’s mother’s involvement affects the story remains to be seen, but it clearly has something to do with Sims and his procurement of spider powers. Whether the movie retains the Spider Society’s presence and its ritualistic worshipping of spider gods to gain those powers is also unknown.

What is currently known is that Sims, according to Cassie, can also see the future (as he must to know what the girls’ futures as spider-heroes look like … see what keen detectives we are?). This makes him formidable indeed. Additionally, in the comics, it’s revealed that Ezekial has been keeping the spider-hero Silk hidden away from the dangers of the Gatekeeper and company, so it is possible she may make an appearance in the film as well. Or not.

In short, the Madame Web movie looks to have taken generations of Spider-Man comic lore and boiled it all down into a very unexpected conglomeration of spider-heroes and villains … except for good ol’ Spidey himself. Whether or not this all gels into an enjoyable theatrical experience remains to be seen. Eventually, though, all these Sony projects had better bring the wall-crawler into the proceedings, lest they peter out into obscurity (no pun intended, maybe). Madame Web is in theaters February 14th, get your tickets below!

BUY TICKETS NOW

For more about how the Kraven movie fits into the SSU click here.

Jason Robbins is a features editor and writer, attorney, computer scientist, bio-exorcist and inventor of the piano key necktie.

That success is entirely warranted. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 establishes an unprecedented standard for gaming brilliance, showcasing a captivating storyline, exhilarating gameplay, and flawless mechanics.

Interested in even more friendly neighborhood Spider-Man content? Don’t miss our looks into the upcoming film adaptations for Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web which are both set to debut in 2024.

!! SPOILER WARNING !!

A Hero’s Journey

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 delivers an extraordinary superhero narrative featuring not one but two spider-men: Peter Parker (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) and Miles Morales (voiced by Nadji Jeter). Both characters take the spotlight in this game, skillfully portrayed by Insomniac, each with their own unique movesets that keep the combat experience refreshing, no matter who you choose.

Peter Parker

Considering Peter’s central role in the story, his character arc, intertwined with complex relationships and the emergence of a new hero, is not only thrilling but also deeply profound. The return of his childhood friend Harry Osborn (voiced by Graham Phillips), coupled with poignant flashbacks to Peter’s youth, adds layers of depth, revealing his growth and resilience through numerous trials while emphasizing the weight of Harry’s transformation into Venom (voiced by Tony Todd), and Peter’s unwavering determination to save his best friend at any cost. Peter’s encounter with the symbiote reveals his darker side to us, and his struggle against selfish, vigilante tendencies makes it interesting to witness his near surrender to the symbiote before Miles comes to his rescue.

Throughout the game, Peter’s connection with Mary Jane Watson (voiced by Laura Bailey), affectionately known as MJ, soars to new heights, surpassing the boundaries of a simple on-again/off-again romance. A standout moment arises when MJ succumbs to the influence of the Scream symbiote, presenting a conflict that propels Peter and MJ towards a breakthrough in their relationship.

(It’s worth mentioning that MJ’s side missions have seen remarkable improvement since the first game, which were previously a point of contention among players.)

But the true character evolution occurs within the mentor-mentee dynamic between Peter and Miles seen in previous games, here blossoming into a partnership of equals that empowers and elevates Miles as Spider-Man. This transformative shift builds up to a remarkable climax, as Peter gracefully passes the torch to Miles, solidifying his own heroic journey. It is a moment that resonates deeply, a testament to the profound power of mentorship and empowerment.

Miles Morales

For all the game’s emphasis on the two Spider-Men, its main plotline gives us slightly more Peter than Miles. Initially, their stories seem evenly divided. But once Kraven is eliminated in the second half, the scales noticeably tip in Peter’s favor. His possession of the symbiote suit and later, his friend Harry turning into  Venom, significantly overshadow Miles’ involvement in the action. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed Miles’ specific quests and, once again, relished utilizing his unique lightning abilities (oddly dubbed Venom Powers in-game, despite no relation to the Venom symbiote). Noteworthy story points Miles includes assisting in the recovery of stolen items from a Harlem museum theft, aiding Black Cat’s escape to Paris, and further expanding his relationship with his Uncle Aaron (voiced by Ike Amadi), formerly known as the Prowler. Witnessing Miles’ personal growth throughout the story, as he shows mercy to villainous Mr. Negative by working alongside him to save Peter — and ultimately assuming the role of New York City’s sole Spider-Man — truly redeems this aspect of the game.

Kraven the Hunter

Now let’s delve into the villains of the story, beginning with the primary antagonist in the game’s first half — Sergei Kravinoff, better known as Kraven the Hunter (voiced by Jim Pirri). While I found his storyline lacking in emotional depth and true character development compared to other arcs, there were glimpses into his motivations during the Hunter Blinds and Unidentified Targets side missions. These missions shed light on Kraven’s family rivalry and quest to hunt down his disguise-wearing half-brother, the Chameleon. But the main plotline only briefly touched on his battle with cancer and his desire for a glorious death, sidestepping these crucial elements before concluding his narrative midway through the main campaign. Moreover, the raison d’etre for Kraven’s vast horde of minions and goons remained unexplained, leaving us with lots of unanswered questions.

These flaws aside, the final showdown between Kraven and Venom (which, excitingly, allows players to control Venom) undoubtedly provided one of the game’s most thrilling moments. Kraven’s earlier killing of fellow Spider-Man villain Scorpion hinted that he was more than a run-of-the-mill adversary, but his limited interactions with Peter, Miles, and other characters diminished the intimidating presence he initially conveyed. Thus, when Venom eventually brought about his demise I felt a kind of relief that his role in the narrative was over, mingled with a sense of anticipation that the next half of the game would unfold with greater narrative tension and excitement.

Sony will soon be bringing this character to the big screen in the Aaron Taylor-Johnson-starring Kraven the Hunter which is set to debut in theaters on August 30, 2024, following a delay from its original release date of October 6, 2023, due to the recently resolved SAG-AFTRA strike. Hopefully, this additional time will allow the creators to learn from the mistakes of the game’s iteration of the character and deliver a compelling and captivating backstory.

Based on the trailer, some believe that this film will stay truer to the character and avoid the excessive comedic tone that has alienated fans in recent Marvel movies. But having seen this portrayal of Kraven in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, I have lingering concerns about the character’s appeal and ability to draw in audiences. We shall see.

It’s important to note that the Kraven the Hunter film won’t be a part of Disney’s “Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU),” but will instead exist within the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU) alongside recent Spidey-adjacent flicks like Venom, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Morbius.

Venom

In a captivating departure from established Spider-Man lore, Venom emerges as the true primary adversary in the game. Unlike in the comics or Sony’s aforementioned SSU Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage films, where Eddie Brock serves as the familiar host, the mantle is taken up here by an old childhood friend of Peter and MJ, Harry Osborn. This unexpected development arises from Harry’s father’s use of the symbiote to cure his terminal illness despite uncertainty surrounding the symbiote’s true nature. So when Harry embraces the role of Venom, it sets the stage for a riveting climax between former friends. The conflict between Peter and Harry, representing the eternal struggle between good and evil, adds an extra layer of drama to the story,

Heightening the impact of this confrontation is the earlier exchange when Peter was on the brink of death. Harry, in a selfless act, gives Peter the symbiote to save his life. Although it nearly corrupts Peter, Miles steps in to prevent it. Peter eventually frees himself from the symbiote but is determined to destroy it. But Harry intervenes to reclaim it, as he’s once again battling his terminal illness without its healing powers, despite Peter urging him to seek an alternative solution. This narrative shift brings a fresh perspective to the Spider-Man universe, creating a gripping, emotionally charged storyline.

Second Chances and Redemption

Through the personal development of various villains, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 consistently explores themes of second chances and redemption. Characters like Flint Marko/Sandman, Dr. Connors/Lizard, Lonnie Lincoln/Tombstone, Quentin Beck/Mysterio, and Martin Li/Mr. Negative exhibits this recurring motif while the character of Yuri Watanabe, now known as Wraith, offers a contrasting look.

Flint Marko aka Sandman

The game opens with an epic confrontation against the colossal Sandman wreaking havoc upon New York City. But upon reverting him to his human form and completing various side missions involving the destruction of his sand crystals scattered throughout the city, we come to discover that his motivations were rooted in protecting his family, particularly his beloved daughter. The tragic circumstances that lead to Sandman’s transformation into a formidable force are ultimately a consequence of Kraven’s relentless pursuit.

Dr. Curt Connors aka The Lizard

These themes also apply to Dr. Connors, who now collaborates with Harry Osborn on his illness treatments. We observe him pursued by Kraven and coerced into transforming into the Lizard during part of their chase. Driven by his desire to aid others, especially Harry, with his research and scientific breakthroughs, Dr. Connors strives to do good in the future despite his terrifying past as the Lizard,

Lonnie Lincoln aka Tombstone

Players will also encounter former criminal, Lonnie Lincoln, aka Tombstone, earlier in the game, where he toils as a pit crew member at a Coney Island go-kart raceway. He subsequently falls into the clutches of Kraven’s hunters but experiences liberation at the hands of Peter and Harry working in unison. It’s intriguing to witness Tombstone, counted among the antagonists in the previous Marvel’s Spider-Man game, aligning with the heroes here and yearning for a life of purpose and fulfillment.

Quentin Beck aka Mysterio

I found Mysterio to be a standout character during my initial playthrough. In his alias as Quentin Beck, he has an intriguing plan to establish Mysteriums, special hallucinogenic arcades offering an extraordinary personalized experience to entertainment visitors. But things take an unexpected turn when Beck’s two assistants misuse his technology to frame him. Fortunately, Miles intervenes and has a heartfelt moment with Beck. In this exchange, Beck acknowledges his resigned belief that Spider-Man will always remain virtuous while evil will always infuse his alter-ego Mysterio’s persona. He thus assures Miles that his days as the costumed villain are behind him and he aims to live a righteous path.

Martin Li aka Mr. Negative

Last, let’s talk about Martin Li or Mr. Negative. In the previous game, he was one of the main villains who tragically caused the death of Miles’ father during a bombing at Norman Osborn’s campaign rally. In this game, however, we witness an extraordinary character metamorphosis for Li. After being hunted down by Kraven and facing off against Miles in a battle for survival, Miles — who harbors deep hatred towards Li for his father’s demise — decides to spare him and break him free of Kraven’s clutches.

Later on, the two unite once again to rescue Peter from the clutches of Venom, delving into a fierce struggle within Peter’s own mind. And here’s the unexpected twist: Li willingly relinquishes his powers as Mr. Negative, bestowing them upon Peter to aid in defeating the Venom within him. This remarkable journey showcases Li’s profound character growth and redemption, as he sincerely regrets the pain and distress he has caused as Mr. Negative. Although he acknowledges that he cannot be forgiven for his past misdeeds, Li aspires to help others once more, much as when he operated the F.E.A.S.T. (Food, Emergency, Aid, Shelter, and Training) homeless shelter alongside Peter’s Aunt May in the first game. This narrative highlights Li’s capacity for change.

Yuri Watanabe aka Wraith

As I suggested earlier, the general theme of redemption in this game is strongly juxtaposed with the character arc of former NYPD Captain Yuri Watanabe, now known as the vigilante Wraith. We’re drawn into her internal struggle as she navigates the limitations of the criminal justice system after the events of the first Spider-Man game’s DLC, The City That Never Sleeps. In that DLC, Yuri was left emotionally scarred from a failed operation against the notorious gang leader Hammerhead.

In this sequel, we delve deeper into Yuri’s transformation as she gradually embraces her antihero persona. Watanabe firmly believes there are instances where the existing justice system falls short, motivating her to confront criminals in a manner outside the law. This is exemplified in her relentless pursuit of Cletus Kasady who’s later set to become Carnage, Venom’s archenemy via symbiote. Yuri’s relentless extralegal pursuit of Kasady illustrates her deteriorating moral values.

The interplay between Yuri’s wavering principles and other antagonists’ turn toward the light further enriches the narrative, captivating us with its profound exploration of justice and redemption.

Engaging side missions 

I found the game’s side missions to be a significant upgrade over the previous two offerings. Each mission had a storyline that held my attention throughout to the satisfying conclusion. They offered a diverse range of activities, like rescuing hostages from his twisted  Mysteriums, dismantling a zealous cult known as “The Flame” led by the aforementioned Cletus Kasady, or simply assisting New Yorkers with their citywide predicaments through Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man quests.

Many of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man quests provided a refreshing gameplay experience with independent story elements for Peter and Miles to explore while helping out ordinary people. Personally, I found The Monster in Queens, Graffiti Trouble, and Howard to be standout quests, although one could argue that all of them have their merits.

The Monster in Queens

At first glance, The Monster in Queens appears a simple quest, requiring the tracking and elimination of (you guessed it) a monster, with a subtle nod to the esteemed monster-hunting traditions found in The Witcher 3. But the plot takes a delightful turn when you discover the opportunity to reprogram one of Kraven’s weird, troublemaking machines. Revealed as the monster, the machine morphs into a remarkable robotic guide dog for a blind woman. It’s a heartwarming twist that adds depth and charm to the story.

Graffiti Trouble

In this mission, we step into the shoes of Miles’ classmate and crush Hailey as she showcases her artistic talent by concealing graffiti that’s appeared in the neighborhood. It’s a delightful shift in perspective to have Hailey as a playable character, letting us gain valuable insight into her personality, her unique worldview, and her relationships with those around her.

Howard

Howard’s quest was undoubtedly one of the most emotionally charged experiences in the game. In this quietly devastating mission, Spider-Man aids John Howard, a compassionate civilian with an affection for pigeons. The mission serves as a poignant callback to the pigeon-hunting quests from the first game, as you share a tender moment with Howard by the riverside. He confides his final wish to relocate his cherished flock. As the mission draws to a close, Howard’s heart is at ease knowing his birds are cared for, and he peacefully passes away. This moving encounter remains etched in players’ memories as perhaps the game’s most poignant and enduring moment.

Connections to the larger Marvel universe 

The game has several evident connections to the rest of the vast Marvel universe. Although Peter and Miles are its only superheroes there are references to numerous other supers who make New York City their home.

After Peter and Harry rescue Tombstone, he mentions his need for a skilled lawyer to prevent him from incurring a parole violation because of his abduction by Kraven. Peter then hints at knowing a remarkable lawyer — giving a figurative nod and a wink to Matt Murdock (Daredevil), whose relationship with Spidey was established on the big screen in the MCU’s recent Spider-Man: No Way Home. Additionally, we see a plaque dedicated to the law offices of Nelson and Murdock adorning a lower Manhattan building.

There’s also the presence of Avengers Tower and a pivotal battle between Kraven’s hunters and Black Cat at Doctor Strange’s sanctum sanctorum. The game also features an exciting Easter egg in the Wakandan Embassy. As Miles, you even have the option to strike the iconic “Wakanda Forever” pose made famous by Chadwick Boseman as the MCU’s Black Panther. You can even get hold of Black Panther and Wolverine suits to wear during your adventure, hinting at Insomniac’s upcoming Wolverine game.

The game’s connections to the MCU also include the Baxter Building — which comic book fans know to be the Fantastic Four’s headquarters — as well as clever other Marvel characters popping up as the names of Coney Island amusement park attractions. And the game pays homage to Stan Lee, Spider-Man’s co-creator, with a statue located in the Upper West Side. These tidbits add some extra fun to the overall gaming experience.

Final thoughts 

The Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 PS5 game is an absolute spectacle that surpasses nearly all expectations. With an immersive storyline, thrilling gameplay, and flawless mechanics it sets a new benchmark for gaming excellence. Character development, intertwined narrative arcs, and innovative combat make this superhero adventure a truly unforgettable experience. Whether swinging through the city as Peter Parker or harnessing the lightning abilities of Miles Morales, players are in for an epic journey that showcases the very best of the Marvel universe. Truly, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a game that should not be missed.

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is now available only on PlayStation 5.

Ben Ahrens is a versatile Silicon Valley-based writer, content marketer, photographer, and graphic designer. His passion lies in crafting engaging stories for the entertainment industry and embracing the tech culture of the Bay Area to uncover the next ground-breaking innovations. When not weaving words, you’ll find him curating the perfect playlist for every occasion or exploring the diverse landscapes of Northern California.