Spider-Man has been a Marvel staple since his introduction all the way back in 1962. As explained by the theme song Paul Francis Webster and Bob Harris created for the 1967 television show, Peter Parker (or Miles Morales, later on), the superheroes' alias, can do whatever a spider can. This includes the ability to deftly scale tall buildings with the assistance of unnaturally stick hands and feet, freakish strength, and because the character is, in most iterations, scientifically inclined, a pair of wrist-mounted web shooters.
In the decades since his introduction, Spider-Man has become an arachnid A-lister. He is one of the most successful characters in the history of the Marvel universe, having spawned successful pieces of media in nearly every format imaginable, be it comic books, television shows, video games, movies, and even a Broadway show.
TheSpider-Manuniverse (orSpider-Verse, if you will) is also home to countless characters. As such, the much-anticipated filmSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a sequel to 2018’s animated masterpieceSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, will necessarily feature a truly staggeringnumber of characters. In the comic, this New York-based superhero certainly has no shortage of foes.
Here are some Marvel villains that could (or will) appear inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Though the multiverse opens up the opportunity for countless villains to appear in the upcomingSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, fans of the original comics are already excited for the recently announced antagonistof the film, The Spot. The villain will be voiced by Jason Schwartzman (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, The French Dispatch).
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The Spot is a perfect villain for a film that explores the multiverse, to the point where one begins to wonder why the character has not been introduced earlier. Formerly a scientist working for Kingpin,Spot found himself coveredin interdimensional portals following a radiation experiment gone awry. Each portal, or spot, allows the villain to transport themselves across the multiverse, which will definitely cause a lot of problems for the film’s heroes, as it means that Spot can recruit villains from every conceivable reality.
The team of Spider-people in the film, who have yet to harness the power of interdimensional travel, will not be able to similarly contact potential arachnid allies.
The Rampaging Russian, Rhino
The Rhino is a Russian gangster with a few different faces. In some iterations of the character, he is a monstrous human-rhino hybrid as a result of an experimental program that he signed up for. In others, he merely utilizes a mechanical suit that resembles his namesake ungulate.
The Russian Rhino has already appeared in aSpider-Manfilm, 2014’sThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, in a brief cameo at the tail end of the movie. Though Paul Giamatti (Saving Private Ryan, John Dies at the End) has declared that he has little desire toreprise his role as Rhino, this proclamation of disinterest would make it all the more hilarious if he were to voice an animated version of the character in the upcoming film.
Though far from the most significant threat that Spider-Man and company would have to face, this rampaging Russian could make for some very exciting scenes.
Morbius, Marvel’s Most Controversial Character
Morbiuswas one of the most recent film installments in theSpider-Manfranchise, and it was also one of the most controversial. The film was acommercial failureand was panned by critics and audiences alike. Nevertheless, Marvel and Sony creatives will not likely allow the character to slip into the darkness.
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In an animated picture likeSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, there will undoubtedly be a lot of more light-hearted moments. This presents the perfect opportunity for the reintroduction of Morbius. Though it is possible that the oftentimes self-serious method actor Jared Leto (Suicide Squad,House of Gucci) would not return to voice the character, Morbius could still very easily make an appearance in the film. Even a momentary showing of the character, which could happen at any point in the protagonist’s interdimensional excursions, would be hilarious and show fans that the studios can address their less successful film exploits.
The multiverse has proven to be a content gold mine for Marvel. It allows for unique storylines, as well as the potential for fan-favorite characters from any point in the franchise’s history to return at a whim. However, it also causes a lot of problems for heroes, as the multiverse carries with it an endless supply of irksome villains.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseis sure to be a wild ride, and the diverse gang of Spider-people who represents the film’s protagonists will undoubtedly have their hands full.
