The Spider-Man movies are stepping into uncharted territory. After Sam Raimi’s trilogy stalled at three films and Marc Webb’s series ended after two, Destin Daniel Cretton’s Spider-Man 4 is a noteworthy addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even though Tobey Maguire has starred in four Spider-Man films, Tom Holland will be the first to lead a full quadrilogy.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a knack for planning ahead, which means fans can anticipate that Spider-Man 4 will unfold in a world following Avengers: Doomsday, likely setting the stage for Avengers: Secret War. There’s a buzz about what the storyline might entail, with many wondering if it will explore another Multiverse adventure and if a beloved Spider-Man story will be revisited in theaters.
The Night Gwen Stacy Died is one of the Most Iconic Spider-Man Stories
“The Night Gwen Stacy Died” is right up there with classics like “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” “Maximum Carnage,” and “Spider-Man No More” as one of the essential Spider-Man narratives. This powerful storyline, featured in The Amazing Spider-Man #121-122 from 1973, was penned by Gerry Conway, illustrated by Gil Kane, and inked by John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro. The arc is particularly memorable for the unprecedented death of a major character, which not only took away Peter Parker’s beloved Gwen but also transformed the Spider-Man saga for years to follow.
In the storyline “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,” Norman Osborn has a moment of clarity about Peter being Spider-Man. The Green Goblin lures Spider-Man to the George Washington Bridge and, during their battle, he throws Gwen off the edge. Although Peter saves her with his webbing, The Amazing Spider-Man #125 later reveals that the whiplash from the fall was what ultimately caused Gwen’s death. Further issues confirm that it was the fall itself that killed her. The Green Goblin meets his fate just one issue later, impaled by his own glider, which draws parallels to Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man, where Mary Jane is in Gwen’s role but survives.
Often regarded as a turning point that concluded the Silver Age of comic books, “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” shifted the spotlight onto Mary Jane Watson, introduced the Punisher, and solidified the Green Goblin as Spider-Man’s ultimate adversary. While the impact of Gwen Stacy’s death has been revisited through complex clone tales and multiverse adventures, the original story is much more than just a classic Spider-Man comic. It’s considered one of the finest comic book stories ever, making the speculation about its role in Spider-Man 4 all the more thrilling.
With Spider-Man 4 possibly concluding Tom Holland’s era as the iconic Web-Slinger, fans are excitedly hoping for a gripping storyline in what might be his last significant MCU role. Although there’s a general expectation for him to show up in Secret Wars, there needs to be a strong incentive for viewers to engage with Spider-Man 4 in between the Avengers films. This has led to some strange rumors about Ghost Rider and Sacha Baron Cohen’s Mephisto making an appearance, even as many fans are calling for a more realistic, street-level narrative for the film.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Already Told Gwen Stacy’s Story
Even though the 2002 film Spider-Man presented its own interpretation of Mary Jane, a more accurate depiction of “The Night Gwen Stacy Died” was featured in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. After Kirsten Dunst portrayed Mary Jane Watson as Peter Parker’s primary love interest in Sam Raimi’s trilogy, it was logical for Marc Webb’s reboot to introduce a different character. Emma Stone took on the role of Gwen Stacy in these films, and her character met a tragic end towards the conclusion of the 2014 installment. Given that this was just 11 years ago, it feels a bit premature to explore the MCU’s version of “The Night Gwen Stacy Died.”
It’s worth mentioning that several key characters are currently absent from the MCU. The franchise has a reputation for reimagining its source material, as seen in films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. However, introducing Gwen Stacy only to have her meet her end in Spider-Man 4 would be quite a stretch, especially with her not being around. Additionally, Willem Dafoe has returned as Raimi’s Green Goblin, and Spider-Man: No Way Home already added its own twist to the storyline, particularly with Osborn being linked to Aunt May’s (Marisa Tomei) death.
Zendaya is likely set to reprise her role as MJ in Spider-Man 4. The conclusion of No Way Home showed Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casting a spell that made everyone forget Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man, which also meant MJ lost all memory of him. Additionally, there are rumors that Sydney Sweeney might portray Felicia Hardy/Black Cat in the upcoming film, possibly stepping in as a new love interest for Peter. However, it seems there are no indications of Gwen Stacy appearing.
It would feel somewhat awkward to add Gwen Stacy into Spider-Man 4, especially considering that Hailee Steinfeld has lent her voice to Spider-Woman in Sony’s animated Spider-Verse series and is confirmed for the upcoming Beyond the Spider-Verse. Even though Warner Bros. is open to having Robert Pattinson’s Elseworlds Batman coexist with the DCU’s Batman, the speculation around Steinfeld playing Spider-Gwen in live-action suggests that we won’t see another Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man 4.
It’s quite possible that Spider-Man 4 will see Gwen Stacy making a brief appearance, perhaps played by Sweeney, which could lead to future adventures with Holland or even the long-awaited live-action introduction of Miles Morales in the MCU. After Bryce Dallas Howard’s role as Gwen in Spider-Man 3, it’s evident that the Spider-Man films have had their share of challenges in accommodating her character. Although it never progressed, there were intentions for Gwen to have a larger role in Raimi’s Spider-Man 4.
After 23 years of alternating between Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson as Peter Parker’s romantic interests, it could be exciting to explore new territory with a character like Felicia Hardy. However, given Zendaya’s ongoing popularity and her real-life relationship with Tom Holland, it seems likely that MJ will reunite with Peter in Spider-Man 4. This doesn’t stop the rampant speculation about potential working titles that might hint at Gwen Stacy’s return, while some rumors suggest that Bryce Dallas Howard could join Tobey Maguire for another Multiverse adventure. It appears that Gwen Stacy will eventually find her place in the MCU, but it probably won’t happen in Spider-Man 4.