By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — Jamie Foxx is among familiar faces from past “Spider-Man” films who’ll be returning in the franchise’s newest installment. Foxx is among three stars featured in character posters for the upcoming “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” This is the third in a trilogy of movies starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Holland’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” in 2017 marked the latest reboot of the “Spider-Man” series, the third reboot with an all-new cast and ensemble.
But “Spider-Man: No Way Home” will integrate characters from not only Holland’s “Spider-Man” films, but those Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire. This is all being linked through the multiverse. The new posters feature Foxx’s Electro from Garfield’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock from the Maguire-led “Spider-Man 2.” While Molina’s character looks pretty much exactly the same as in Sam Raimi’s 2004 sequel, Foxx’s character has ditched the blue aesthetic that was widely ridiculed in his 2014 film.
A third character poster features Green Goblin, who in 2002’s “Spider-Man” was played by Willem Dafoe. The character has not appeared in any of the Garfield or Holland films. though Dafoe’s laugh was heard in the most recent “No Way Home” trailer. However Dafoe’s appearance hasn’t quite been confirmed. So the Goblin remains hooded.
Despite the seeming disconnect between these characters since the Holland films aren’t linked to the others, Marvel has figured out a way to make it work. During “No Way Home” Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange attempts a spell that goes wrong, which opens up the multiverse, and sends these characters from other universes crashing into Holland’s.
There are also lots of rumors about other characters returning, most notably Garfield and Maguire being back in the Spidey suit alongside Holland. The speculation is driving anticipation for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” whichopens exclusively in theaters on Dec. 17.
Producer Amy Pascal recently made clear her intention to keep making movies with Holland, and Sony has confirmed they’d very much like to continue this partnership with Kevin Feige and the Marvel Studios team.