Even after some setbacks and disappointing results, Sony Pictures is still moving forward with plans for its own universe of Marvel movies centered around Spider-Man. This is a change from their earlier statements; after the film Kraven the Hunter performed poorly, Sony initially cancelled all planned Spider-Man spin-off movies for 2025. While Marvel fans will likely continue to debate whether this is the right strategy, Sony CEO Tom Rothman has confirmed that they are restarting the Spider-Man Universe, and some actors will be replaced with new ones.
The Spider-Man movies and related films have launched the careers of many well-known and rising actors by having them play famous Marvel characters. Now, with a new Spider-Man Universe on the horizon, who should be cast in these key roles? While some choices are obvious – many fans agree that Caleb Landry Jones from Stranger Things would be a perfect Miles Morales – we’ve put together a few less common suggestions that we believe could significantly improve the new SSU.
10. The Lizard
I’ve noticed something really cool about the Spider-Man movies – Curt Connors, or The Lizard, has been in every single one! It’s awesome to see a consistent villain across all the different versions. Dylan Baker, who you might know from Happiness, played him in Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man back in 2002, and then Rhys Ifans, from House of the Dragon, took on the role when they rebooted the series with The Amazing Spider-Man. What I really like about The Lizard is how he connects Peter Parker’s normal life – he was one of Peter’s professors! – with his superhero world. Plus, he’s a fantastic take on the classic Jekyll and Hyde story, and a really strong secondary villain. It’s great to see a villain who’s both intelligent and terrifying!
Warren Kole consistently delivers strong performances in supporting roles, appearing in shows like Shades of Blue with Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta, and currently as the troubled husband Jeff in the popular Showtime series Yellowjackets. He excels at portraying seemingly normal, attractive men who hide a more complex and troubled inner life – exactly the qualities needed to play The Lizard, making him our top choice.
9. Aunt May
Aunt May is a central figure in Spider-Man’s stories, often considered the heart of his world. Several actresses have brought her to life on screen: Rosemary Harris in the first Spider-Man trilogy, Sally Field in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, and Marissa Tomei in the Tom Holland Spider-Man films.
Aunt May’s character has evolved quite a bit, especially after being featured in Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man. That game showed a lively and involved Aunt May running the F.E.A.S.T. charity. While Spider-Man: No Way Home hinted at this version of Marisa Tomei’s character, the new Spider-Man Universe should continue to portray May Parker as a modern, energetic, intelligent, and caring older woman you’d realistically find in New York City today.
Catherine Keener, known for her roles in films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Get Out, is currently looking for new acting opportunities. She would bring a nice blend of qualities to the role of Aunt May, fitting well with the performances of previous actresses who have played the part.
8. Electro
Jamie Foxx first played Max Dillon, also known as Electro, in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Fans didn’t love that portrayal, so he returned to play a more classic version of the character in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Still, many fans are hoping to see the original, somewhat silly version of Electro – the one with the bright, lightning-bolt costume and headpiece – brought to life on screen.
As a huge movie fan, I’ve really come to appreciate Justin Theroux. He’s become one of those actors who just elevates everything he’s in, no matter how big the part. I loved his energy in shows like Fallout and the new Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – it got me thinking, he’d be fantastic in the Spider-Man universe. Imagine him as a slightly pathetic, but persistent villain – maybe a recurring henchman or a thief who never quite succeeds. It would be so much fun to watch!
7. Morbius
The film Morbius was an early sign that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was facing challenges. The movie attempted to cover too much ground with the story of Michael Morbius, a character who accidentally turns into a vampire while trying to cure a rare blood disorder. It also took a risk by casting Jared Leto, known for his intense acting approach, in the lead role.
Michiel Huisman, known for his role in Rebel Moon, first gained widespread recognition after joining Game of Thrones as Daario Naharis. His height and build make him a good fit for a character like Morbius, and he has the charisma to portray the vampire with a classic, alluring edge. Beyond his physical presence, Huisman is a strong actor who could convincingly play a mysterious and troubled character.
6. Doctor Octopus
Doctor Otto Octavius, like many of Peter Parker’s mentors, became one of his greatest enemies. Otto is a brilliant but troubled scientist driven by a need to prove he’s smarter than everyone else. Alfred Molina’s performance as Otto in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 (2004) was so compelling and nuanced that he remained the definitive version of the character, and he even reprised the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Patton Oswald is a huge fan of all kinds of fandoms, which makes it funny that he’s mostly had small parts in Marvel movies and shows. His roles as the Koenig brothers on Agents of SHIELD and Pip the Troll in Eternals don’t seem likely to become major. Oswald has become a more versatile actor and deserves a bigger opportunity. He’d be perfect as Doc Ock, playing him as a grumpy, unusual villain – imagining Oswald, a smaller actor, calmly controlling Doc Ock’s mechanical arms would be a striking image, offering a fresh take on the character compared to previous portrayals.
5. Norman Osborn
Norman Osborn is a major villain in Spider-Man’s story. He initially acted as a father figure to Peter Parker, but it was later revealed he was secretly the evil Green Goblin. Before this reveal, Norman relentlessly pursued and tormented Peter after discovering his secret identity. Willem Dafoe’s iconic performance as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in the 2002 film directed by Sam Raimi was so memorable that a famous line from the movie (“You know, I’m something of a scientist myself!”) has become a popular meme.
Jason Isaacs is a highly talented actor who can play both important supporting roles and lead characters. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of the villain Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, and many fans believe he’d be an excellent choice to play Norman Osborn, another complex and potentially villainous father figure. With the character potentially appearing in both Sony’s Spider-Man movies and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Isaacs has the experience and star power to handle the role.
4. Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy was Peter Parker’s first love interest in the original Marvel comics, tragically killed by the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn). However, different versions of Gwen have reappeared over time, including a popular character called Ghost-Spider (Spider-Woman) who debuted in the 2010s during the “Spider-Verse” event. While Sam Raimi didn’t include Gwen in his Spider-Man movies, Marc Webb made her (played by Emma Stone) a central figure in The Amazing Spider-Man films. More recently, Gwen has become even more well-known thanks to her appearances in the animated Spider-Verse movies (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and the children’s show Spidey and His Amazing Friends. With a fresh start in the SSU, Gwen has the potential to become a major star in her own right.
McKenna Grace is a remarkably talented young actress who’s already proven herself in a variety of roles, even tackling darker and more complex characters in films like I, Tonya, The Haunting of Hill House, and Annabelle Comes Home. She’s no stranger to big franchises, having appeared in projects based on games (Five Nights at Freddy’s 2) and classic movies (Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire), and even played a young Carol Danvers in Captain Marvel. Now 19, Grace is starting to explore romantic roles, with the upcoming film Regretting You. Many believe she’s perfectly positioned to take on a major superhero role, and she’s uniquely qualified to play Gwen Stacy’s evolution into Spider-Woman, potentially leading her own live-action franchise.
3. Mary Jane
As a big Spider-Man fan, I’ve always felt the movies have played it a little too safe when it comes to Peter’s love life. They tend to focus everything on Peter and just one girl, while the comics are way more complex. Mary Jane Watson is the main love interest for most of the modern comic book run, but the films haven’t really gotten her right. Either they portray her as this very simple, damsel-in-distress type – like Kirsten Dunst’s MJ in Sam Raimi’s movies – or they create a character who barely feels like Mary Jane at all, like Zendaya’s “MJ” in the Home trilogy. It’s frustrating because the comics offer so much more depth!
Chloe East is quickly becoming a notable actress, and her recent role in the 2024 horror film Heretic has really put her on the map. Even while playing a quiet and unassuming Mormon missionary, she demonstrated a strength and determination that would make her an excellent Mary Jane Watson in a potential reboot of the Spider-Man universe. It’s time to move past previous interpretations of the character, and the franchise should avoid storylines that turn MJ into a superhero like “Jackpot” or involve the Venom symbiote. East would be ideal for a version of Mary Jane similar to the one recently seen in Ultimate Spider-Man – a successful public relations professional who is a genuine source of support for Peter Parker. Spider-Man needs a partner like Lois Lane to Superman, and this casting choice could deliver that.
2. Carnage
Cletus Kasady is a notorious villain in Spider-Man’s world. He first appeared in the 1990s as a cruel serial killer who shared a prison cell with Eddie Brock, the host of Venom. Kasady then bonded with Carnage, a symbiote born from Venom. As Carnage, Kasady’s killings became even more terrifying, almost reaching the level of a demonic being. Both Kasady and the Carnage symbiote continue to be dangerous threats. Woody Harrelson played Carnage in the movie Venom: Let There Be Carnage, but many Marvel fans weren’t satisfied with that portrayal.
Walton Goggins is now a leading character actor in Hollywood, consistently delivering memorable performances whether he’s playing a major or minor role. He’s known for bringing a wild energy to shows like Justified and films like American Ultra, and his current role as “The Ghoul” in Amazon’s Fallout series is a huge success. Seeing him take on Cletus Kasady/Carnage in a new Sinister Six project would be incredibly entertaining – far more fun than a villain like that usually is.
1. Venom
Eddie Brock, also known as Venom, is a major figure in the world of Marvel antiheroes. Initially created as a dark counterpart to Spider-Man, Venom’s story has expanded significantly, developing its own distinct place within the Marvel Universe. This includes the introduction of various symbiote offspring, like Carnage, different types of symbiotes such as Anti-Venom, and large-scale events like “King in Black” which focused on Eddie, Venom, and the history of the symbiote species. Tom Hardy’s portrayal in the Venom movies turned the character into a global phenomenon, emphasizing the humorous side of the relationship between Eddie and Venom. This success was particularly notable considering earlier attempts by Sony and Topher Grace almost derailed any chance of Venom becoming a movie star.
Alan Ritchson seems to have found the perfect role playing the physically imposing Jack Reacher in Amazon Prime Video’s popular series. Previous attempts to bring Venom to the screen haven’t quite captured the character’s comic book appearance, specifically his large, muscular build – a key feature that always set him apart from Spider-Man. Ritchson, as Reacher, has proven he can portray a tough, protective hero, and he also has a knack for comedy, which could make his take on Venom just as entertaining as Tom Hardy’s performance.
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2026-02-27 03:13