Warning: This article contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Disney+ show Hawkeye.
in a way that has big implications for Spider-Man's future in the MCU. Being the box office and critical success it is, Marvel is surely looking forward to what's to come for the character in the MCU and what story ideas to use.
Discussions on Reddit have covered interesting theories concerning what material from the comics could be brought to life in Spider-Man’s future in the MCU, based on what seeds have already been planted or are thematically appealing conflicts and stories.
Mister Negative And F.E.A.S.T.
Reddit , carnagetothemax comments on how F.E.A.S.T. trucks are seen throughout No Way Home, saying, "Aunt May volunteered with FEAST, which might mean Mr. Negative could appear." Martin Li in the comics is a philanthropist and founder of F.E.A.S.T., a project that assists the homeless.
When he’s not helping the homeless he assumes the identity of Mister Negative, a crime lord who is head of the Inner Demons gang. Having Spider-Man face off against this foe would be a good way to have him be dealing with street-level crime–which he hasn't yet done in the MCU–as well as incorporate some more magic and mysticism into his world.
Family Business
While not yet established in the feature-length movies, Kingpin has made an appearance in the Hawkeye Disney+ series wearing a Hawaiian shirt. While many fans at first glance may have found the floral shirt uncharacteristic for Fisk, it’s taken directly from the comics, specifically a Spider-Man comic.
He wears it in the Family Business storyline, which follows Spider-Man as he battles with Wilson Fisk who is attempting to reassert his dominance in the crime world. Michael1691 points this out in a post, saying, "we need to see this happen in the next Spidey trilogy."
Ned Leeds Becoming Hobgoblin
Many fans have floated the idea that Peter’s best friend, Ned could take a turn as an antagonist for future movies. This idea is even explored briefly in No Way Home when both of the other Spider-Men talk about how their best friend Harry Osborn turned on both of them.
For Ned this type of story would have some basis in the comics, as in Hobgoblin Lives, the Hobgoblin’s secret identity is revealed to be a brainwashed Ned Leeds. Reddit , carnagetothemax has even pointed out a subtle nod; "I just saw this movie, and Ned Leeds jacket was tan and blue, the same colors worn by Hobgoblin."
Daredevil Team-Up
Along with many others, and just one of a few that need to happen.
There have been many instances of the two characters interacting over the years. One such story during the Spectacular Spider-Man run in the 70s has Spider-Man lose his sight, having to rely on Daredevil to guide him with his superhuman senses. In the same run later, Daredevil and Spider-Man duke it out, with Spider-Man’s aggression amped up by the Venom Symbiote suit and Daredevil having to subdue and talk him down.
The Symbiote Saga
DarthVaderIsMyWaifu pitches a storyline based on the famous Symbiote Saga where Peter gets bonded to an alien symbiote giving him a new suit but making him more aggressive. In his pitch, after separating from Peter the symbiote would go after his friends "using the classic Venom strategy of 'we know your memories and loved ones and are gonna hurt them to hurt you.'" This would offer an opportunity to rekindle Peter’s relationship with them.
Other Redditors even suggested Eddie Brock could be skipped altogether, as Mac Gargan aka the Scorpion is a character that has already been established, and has had the Venom Symbiote in the comics. Given the post-credits scene in No Way Home, it seems like the alien symbiote could come into play in movies.
Jameson And The Scorpion
This was just one of a few flare-ups in the rivalry between Jameson and Spider-Man.
This would work well as No Way Home already established Jameson’s hatred for Spider-Man, and his willingness to act outside of the law to destroy the masked menace’s reputation. And, Michael Mando’s cameo appearance as Mac Gargan ended with him having an ax to grind for Spider-Man.
Miles Morales’ Origin
Throwawaypcos12 points out a subtle reference made in No Way Home to Miles Morales; In a thread about easter eggs in the movie, they point out that Electro musing "something along the lines of 'i’m sure there’s a black spider-man out there' easter egg [is a reference] to miles morales for sure." Miles appearing in the MCU could be a ways away, but with the character being as popular as he is, and with his success in the Spiderverse animated movies, it’s a sure bet that marvel will tackle this character and his origin at some point.
There’s been some setup for him in the movies thus far, with Donald Glover appearing in as Aaron Davis who in the comics is also the Prowler and Miles' uncle. He even alludes to a nephew he’s looking out for in his neighborhood, implying that Miles currently exists in the MCU just off-screen. Establishing him properly could open up more Miles Morales stories from the comics that could be adapted in future installments.
Chameleon
In a discussion about potential villains for the next Spider-Man trilogy, Masontheawesome9 likes the idea of Chameleon as a potential adversary. "But honestly for Chameleon I hope we see him in Freshman years I think that would be awesome," they say. They even follow up that it would be poetic as the Chameleon was the first villain Spider-Man faced off against in the comics.
He first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #1 in 1963 where he deduced aspects of Peter’s personal life and impersonates Spider-Man to defame him. Given the events of No Way Home, with everyone forgetting who he is, Peter is in a position for a new start with a soft reset. and, Chameleon being a villain that challenges the idea of identity would introduce a good, thematic conflict for Spider-Man.
