Summary
It’s surprising just how far theSpider-Manfranchise has gone in film. The Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have seen the friendly neighborhood Marvel hero join the Avengers and even team up with Peter Parkers from other universes. The multiverse of Spider-Man characters has even been explored by Sony’s cameo-filledSpider-Versemovies.
However, there are plenty ofstory arcs from Spider-Man’s comic book history that are difficult to imagine ever making it to the big screen. Whether it’s because of how controversial they are to longtime fans of the series, or perhaps their appropriateness contrasting with the tone of the MCU Spider-Man, these comic book stories will likely remain on the page.
2002-2006
Featured Characters
Spider-Man, Black Cat, Mr. Brownstone, Scorpia, Daredevil, Nightcrawler, Kingpin
The relationship between Spider-Man and Black Cat would already be a challenge to adapt into the films and keep comic-book accurate.Black Cat is a much more risque characterthan the MCU is typically used to, and the comic book miniseriesThe Evil That Men Dowill certainly not be the storyline that Marvel chooses to adapt if they do bring her to live-action.
Particularly,The Evil That Men Dogarnered controversy for featuring some explicit scenes where Black Cat is assaulted by the villainous Mr. Brownstone. Although it was bold of Marvel Comics to tackle such a serious topic in this story, many fans saw it as a trivialization of those issues. It’s unlikely that the MCU would ever do this story, knowing how fans feel about it.
1973
Ross Andru, Frank Giacoia, Dave Hunt
Spider-Man, The Punisher, Jackal, M.J. Watson, J. Jonah Jameson, Harry Osborne, Betty Brant
A surprising fun fact about The Punisher is that the character originally appeared asaSpider-Manantagonist in a 1973 comic. Hired by the Jackal to assassinate Spider-Man, the Punisher’s characterization was beloved by fans and took off with his own solo series. Now, the character is one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, played by Jon Bernthal in the MCU.
However, for those who have seen Bernthal’s Punisher in the Netflix series, it’s hard to imagine him coming face-to-face with Spider-Man. The two characters' MCU adaptations simply operate in wildly different tones, so although they share history together in the comics, the films will probably stick with depicting some of Spider-Man’s more unique villains.
1985-1986
Spider-Man, Daredevil, Jean DeWolff, Sin-Eater, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant
Jean DeWolff was a notable ally of Spider-Man after being introduced in the early 1970s, as an NYPD chief who harbored feelings for the friendly neighborhood superhero. However, the character was tragically killed off in the 1985 comic book story arcThe Death of Jean DeWolff, where she’s discovered murdered by shotgun, forcing Spider-Man to search for her killer.
The culprit turns out to be police sergeant Stan Carter, who takes on the persona of Sin-Eater in order to vanquish the world of sinners. The story dives deep into the world of police corruption in New York City, and Sin-Eater is a much more terrifying villain than Spider-Man usually faces. Although it’s a strong narrative to pull from, young fans may not fully get it.
1987
Spider-Man, Kraven the Hunter, M.J. Watson, Captain America, Vermin
Kraven the Hunter is finally setto make his live-action debut in the 2024 film, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. While fans are hopeful to see Kraven battle Peter Parker on-screen, it likely won’t be an adaptation ofKraven’s Last Hunt. This comic storyline kicks off with a fight between the two rivals, resulting in Spider-Man’s apparent death by Kraven.
In a surprising twist, Kraven steals Parker’s Spider-Man costume and masquerades as the hero while fighting crime. Predictably, Peter Parker isn’t actually dead, and he ends up confronting Kraven once and for all, though things don’t end in a typical way for the hunter. Kraven ends up committing suicide at the end of the story, which is way too dark for Marvel to ever adapt.
2006-2007
Kaare Andrews, Jose Villarrubia
Spider-Man, M.J. Watson, Electro, Mysterio, Kraven the Hunter, Sandman, Scorpion, Hydro-Man, Kingpin, J. Jonah Jameson, Mayor Waters, Hypno-Hustler, Doctor Octopus, Venom
Spider-Man: Reigntakes place thirty years into Peter Parker’s future, examining the tragedy that has befallen his life. New York City has become controlled by an authoritative regime, Mary Jane Watson has dieddue to radiation exposure from Peter, and even J. Jonah Jameson leads a revolution against the police, known only as “the Reign.”
Among a lot of issues MCU fans may have with the content,Spider-Man: Reignwill likely not see the big screen simply because it’s hard to imagine anyone getting excited over an older Spider-Man story. It can be done right, as seen with 2017’sLogan, but odds are Tom Holland has no desire to still be playing Spider-Man in 30 years.
1994-1996
Various
Spider-Man, Scarlet Spider, M.J. Watson, Jackal, Norman Osborn, Kaine, Spidercide, Judas Traveller, High Evolutionary, Gwen Stacy
ThoughThe Clone Sagagave birth to one of the most iconic Spider-People, the Scarlet Spider, it’s even more confusing than the multiverse sagas that Marvel Studios has already explored withSpider-Man. The most notable iteration ofClone Sagasaw Jackal create a clone of Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, in order to kill Spider-Man for letting Gwen Stacy die.
Given the series' popularity, it continued for many years and features a lot of twists and turns, including the reveal that Norman Osborn was behind everything. Though it could be possible for Gwen Stacy’s death, Jackal’s descent into madness, and Ben Reilly’s introduction to happen in live-action, there are simply much simplerSpider-Manstories to adapt.
2004
Mike Deodato Jr.
Spider-Man, Gwen Stacy, Norman Osborn, M.J. Watson, May Parker, Sarah Stacy, Gabriel Stacy
One of the most controversialSpider-Manstory-lines of all time wasSins Past, which shocked fans of the superhero comics. According to J. Michael Straczynski, prior to her iconic death, Gwen Stacy had an affair with Norman Osborn, birthing two children: Sarah and Gabriel, who rapidly age as a result of Osborn’s Goblin formula.
Following the publicized reveal of Osborn as Green Goblin, Sarah and Gabriel set their sights on revenge against Spider-Man, who was naive to their existence. Given the run’s unpopularity,especially among Gwen Stacy fans, it was retconned years later during theSinister Warstoryline. Marvel probably doesn’t want to make the same mistake twice.
2007-2008
Joe Quesada, Danny Miki
Spider-Man, M.J. Watson, Mephisto, Aunt May, Tony Stark, Doctor Strange, Harry Osborn, Reed Richards
J. Michael Straczynski was on a roll when it came to pushing the limits with Spider-Man.One More Dayis a familiar premise to Marvel Comics, finding Peter Parker searching for ways to revive his Aunt May after she’s killed by a henchman of Kingpin. After failing to acquire help from the likes of Doctor Strange or Tony Stark, Peter finds an unlikely savior in Mephisto.
Mephisto offers Peter the chance to have Aunt May back, for the price of his marriage to M.J. Watson. Effectively, this completely resets the two characters' entire relationship, which wasn’t a popular choice among fans. Given thatSpider-Man: No Way Homehas already erased Peter and M.J.’s relationship, Marvel probably won’t try treading the same ground.
2007
Mike Wieringo, Wade von Grawbadger, Pate Pantazis
Spider-Man, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Human Torch, The Thing, M.J. Watson, Aunt May, Impossible Man, High Evolutionary, Doctor Doom
The Fantastic Four are soon makingtheir MCU debut withThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, set on an alternate universe in retro-futuristic ’60s New York. Only time will tell how the MCU’s Fantastic Four, played by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, will meet the familiar faces of Earth-616 for theAvengersfilms.
However, given the massive scale ofThe Fantastic Four’s future in the MCU, adventures alongside Spider-Man probably aren’t much of a priority, despite the fleshed-out alliance from the comics. Since the MCU has already explored Mount Wundagore and the High Evolutionary, they probably won’t look to this story arc for potential Spider-Man/F4 team-ups.
2013-2014
Ryan Stegman, Humberto Ramos, Giuseppe Camuncoli
Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus, M.J. Watson, May Parker, Hobgoblin, Vulture, Black Cat, Harry Osborn, J. Jonah Jameson, Miguel O’Hara, Flash Thompson, Kingpin, Goblin King, Scarlet Spider
One of the darkest story-lines ofSpider-Manis fairly recent to Marvel Comics. In 2012, Peter Parker was killed by Otto Octavius in theDying Wisharc. InThe Superior Spider-Man,Doc Ock implants his mind in Spider-Man’s bodyand seeks to prove himself a better hero than Peter Parker was, which initially ran for over 30 issues from 2013 to 2014.
Although many fans love the stories that came out of Octavius' adventures in Peter Parker’s body, it’s unlikely that Marvel Studios would do something like this in live-action. Tom Holland’s portrayal of Peter Parker is iconic, so having him be ostensibly “replaced” with a new personality might scare off the more casual fans who aren’t as invested in the comics.
