Spider-Man: No Way Home is an American superhero film and the sequel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: Far From Home. It was already confirmed in June 2017, before the release of Spider-Man: Homecoming. The film was released on December 17, 2021. It is the 27th film in the MCU, and the fourth movie in Phase Four. An extended cut was released on September 2, 2022.
Synopsis[]
Following the events of the previous film in which his identity was exposed at the hands of Mysterio, Peter Parker's life and his reputation are turned upside down. Seeking help from Doctor Strange to try and fix everything, things soon become much more dangerous as the spell goes awry, causing villains from many alternate universes who previously fought a Spider-Man to arrive. Now, with all the villains on the hunt for him, Parker must find what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Plot[]
Through J. Jonah Jameson, the late Mysterio has exposed Peter Parker's double-life as the vigilante Spider-Man while also framing him for an alleged massacre in London. Although Matt Murdock/Daredevil lifts all legal burden from the boy, the fact E.D.I.T.H. was Stark Industries technology puts the company under investigation and cuts Peter off from its resources. Continuing his school life as a pariah regardless, Peter attempts to be Spider-Man, only to be bothered by fans and Mysterio lovers; getting his costume ruined by paint. At wits end, Happy lets May and Peter move into his condo until the heat dies down; since their apartment is constantly staked out by the media, and he has tons of security to keep the paparazzi out. Due to being the close friends of Spider-Man, Michelle Jones-Watson and Ned Leeds are rejected from every college they apply to as a result, not wanting bad press to follow them and ruin the reputations of the universities.
Upon seeing a street performance while out contemplating how to help his friends, Peter remembers his ally Doctor Strange and that he could manipulate time. So he pays a visit to the New York Sanctum, finding it filled with snow and a cold breeze coming from the upstairs. Strange greets Peter, explaining that a portal is malfunctioning and stuck open to a mountain and also that he lost the title of Sorcerer Supreme to Wong when he got Blipped. After Peter asks him if he could rewind time to help prevent Mysterio's machinations exposed his identity, Strange reminds him that the Time Stone doesn't exist anymore and he would be risking damaging realty. However, Strange does feel like he owes Peter for helping defeat Thanos at the cost of both of them losing five years, offering to cast a forgetting spell to make everyone loss memory of Spider-Man's secret identity. Wong warns not to cast the spell, only for Strange to reveal he already used it before to cover up a major party he had at Kamar Taj. Wong relents, telling Strange to leave him out of the mess; leaving for Kamar Toj to attend to Sorcerer Supreme business.
Strange takes Peter to the basement of the Sanctum, explaining that many magical lay lines intersect at this point, which will provide the energy to cast the spell; but it is also the most vulnerable point in their realty on the flipside. As Strange begins casting the spell, he tells Peter that this is goodbye for them, understandably confusing the boy. Strange explains that this forgetting spell is absolute, meaning that everyone in their universe will forget who Spider-Man really is, though allies like Strange himself will still remembering having worked with him. Not understanding that this is a small price to pay (meaning he just has to tell MJ, May and Ned again), a panicked Peter begins asking Strange to make exceptions for his loved ones to retain memory; even though Strange begs him to shut up, as it's breaking his focus. Peter ultimately asks to let anyone who knew his identity before Mysterio remember, causing the spell to go berserk and break open reality. Strange manages to contain the spell and restore the dimensional boundary; he explains Peter's requests mutated and destabilized the spell. He then asks why Peter's appeal to college about his application didn't work, prompting Peter to explain he didn't know he could. Understandably angry, Strange kicks Peter outside for him nearly breaking reality over this issue.
Peter calls Flash Thompson, whom was meeting with an MIT representative; planning to appeal MJ and Ned's applications. After promising to give Flash publicity by claiming to be his friend (which Flash had been lying about already and needs Peter to give credibility), Peter learns that she already left the party Flash is attending and heading to the airport. Luckily there is a traffic jam on the bridge, allowing Peter to do his Iron Spider suit to search for her. However, the suit is cut off from the Stark network and cannot use facial recognition. Finding the M.I.T. license plate, Peter notices a new chopper has spotted him; regardless, he heads to the car. After knocking on the window, Peter explains the situation to the woman in the car. Suddenly, Peter senses danger as people begin running away from the opposite end of the bridge. Unfortunately, the MIT representative is also left behind in the car by her driver. Mechanical arms burst of from below the bridge, leaving cars in smoking messes. Out of the smoke comes the villain of another universe Doctor Octopus.
Doc Ock has mistaken Peter for his Spider-Man, demanding to know where his fusion reactor has gone. Peter attempts to talk with him, only to be attacked when Ock refuses to listen to reason. After saving cars with civilians still in them, Peter is pinned by Ock, who tears off the chest of the suit and adds the nanites to his tentacles; preparing to stab him with a blade hidden in one of the arms. Peter quickly reallocates the nanites from his mask, exposing his face and saving himself a split second before the impact. Ock quickly realizes he's the wrong Spider-Man as Peter's suit informs him it now controls the tentacles, allowing Peter to bind Ock and free the representative from her car. Grateful for his heroism, she informs Peter that she will appeal on his behalf along with MJ and Ned. As she leaves, Peter attempts interrogating Ock; however, an explosion draws their attention to the other end of the bridge as the Green Goblin arrives on his glider. Before Peter can react, he is pulled through a mystic portal along with Octavius. Finding himself back in Sanctum basement, Peter sees Ock locked up in a mystic cell. He is greeted by Strange, learning his blunder in interrupting the spell pulled in anyone from other universes who knows that Peter is Spider-Man. Strange discovered a disturbance at the same time as Peter, only in the sewers, leading to him imprisoning the Lizard before pulling Peter there. Strange can undo the damage and send these otherworlders back with a mystic device containing the mutant spell. Strange enchants his web shooter to teleport targets to the cells; needing to detain any of them before they cause a lasting impact on their reality.
At the same time, Green Goblin reverts to Norman Osborn; while Osborn is terrified, Goblin sees this as a chance to conquer a new world. Sick of Goblin ordering him around, Norman smashes his mask to flee from his other self. Peter enlists MJ and Ned to help him search for reports that can lead him to the rest of his targets, working from the Sanctum's basement. Attempting to get his suit washed from the paint, Peter gets the idea to turn it inside out for the time being after spotting a box of hair dye. They get a hit on the internet about a bizarre electric activity. This leads Peter to a power station in the wilderness, where a humanoid shape of blue energy is manifesting from the power lines. It attacks Peter, who dodges until he notices the dirt coming to life and following him. It's Sandman, who offers to help Peter stop the enemy; while containing the energy, Peter cuts off the supply. Without the energy, the being turns into Electro. Peter gives him clothes from the supply shed, sending him and Sandman to cells at the Santorum. May calls Peter, revealing Osborn wandered into F.E.A.S.T. seeking help. Peter meets Osborn, surprised to see he's just a scared man; seeing his family, company and home don't exist, he just wants to go back. May also manages to get the paint out of Peter's suit. Brought into the Sanctum, Osborn is imprisoned by Strange while he goes to get the box to send everyone back. As the villains taunt each other, Electro recalls that he was about to die before he could take over his Manhattan's power grid, while Sandman confirms Osborn and Ock are destined to die in their universe as well; all in their final battles with Spider-Man. Peter sees this accident as a second chance for them, wishing to cure them of their conditions to ensure they survive. Osborn offers his assistance, having a background in science.
Strange returns with the box, with Peter protesting that he can help the villains. However, Strange has had his fill of Peter's antics for the day, putting protecting their reality above the lives of the poor souls dragged into it. Peter apologizes, stealing the box and fleeing outside; despite Strange and his cloak attempting to stop him. Strange pulls the box back with magic, pushing Peter's astral body out to keep him from moving. However, to both their surprise, Peter's spider sense autopilots his body to keep the box away. Peter uses this distraction to get back into his body and kick Strange away. Strange opens the Mirror Dimension next, hoping to trap him for the time being. Despite Peter's best attempts to reason with him, Strange does not relent; so he webs up Strange and steals his sling ring to keep him occupied.
Looking to cure the visitors of their supernatural afflictions, Peter takes them to Happy Hogan's condo. Ock doubts Peter can do anything with the scrap there, but Electro tells him that he can sense great energy behind the kitchen. Peter reveals a Stark Industries fabricator, which is powered by an Arc Reactor. Peter and Osborn begin working together to cure everyone. A HUD reveals that Octavius' tentacles have A.I. meant to be kept under control by an inhibitor chip; but the original was not protected well and got fried. So the A.I. is messing with his mind, which is what makes Octavius so miserable. Despite his protests, once the new chip is installed, Octavius becomes elated as he can no long hear the A.I.'s voices in his head. He gives the nanites back to Peter, upgrading his suit. Octavius then begins helping create cures for Dillon, Marko and Conners. Electro is given a device to siphon the excess electricity out of his body, while Otto and Osborn begin making a serum to eliminate Goblin.
Unfortunately, Goblin takes back control from Osborn, causing Peter's spider sense to go bonkers, resulting in Peter webbing him in place. Goblin convinces Electro and Sandman not to take the cures, telling them it gives them the power take what they want, resulting in Electro destroying his cure before it completes. Conners, having been waiting in the F.E.A.S.T. truck, breaks out as Electro steals the Arc Reactor to empower himself and Sandman flees, with Octavius giving chase. Goblin begins fighting Peter, calling him weak of will for not using his strength to take what he wants; instead he just suffers. The fight leads them to the ground floor, where Goblin calls his glider for armaments. He tosses a bomb, which May gets in the blast radius of, shielding Peter. The Goblin taunts Peter, fleeing as Happy arrives at gets arrested by the police. A dying May gives Peter the "with great power comes great responsibility" speech before passing.
At Ned's house, he and MJ watch the news about the attack. Both realize Peter is in a bad place now that he has no family. Ned wishes they could see Peter, realizing he can use Strange's Sling Ring. However, he accidentally summons two alternate Spider-Men: "Peter-Two" (who fought the Goblin, Octavius, and Sandman) and "Peter-Three" (who fought Lizard and Electro); who were also dragged into the MCU by the backfired spell. They along with MJ finally find a mourning Parker on the school roof; after talking about places Two and Three would go to think. Peter-Two explains his loss of Uncle Ben and the darkness he had to conquer, while Peter-Three mentions that the loss of his girlfriend Gwen Stacy caused him to become a bitter and harsher crime fighter. The three Peters get to work repairing Dillon and Marko's cures. Since Peter couldn't figure out a cure for Conners, Peter-Three elects to do it; while Peter-Two makes Goblin's cure.
They lure them to the Statue of Liberty for a final confrontation; using the box that will send them home as bait. As only Peter-One has experience working on a team (as Two and Three do not have the Avengers in their world), he takes charge. Peter-Two cures Sandman, while Peter neutralizes Lizard. Octavius arrives to cure Electro, and Ned accidentally frees Strange from the Mirror Dimension. Strange sees all the cures villains along the additional Spider-Men, realizing he had gone down a dark path; nearly forgoing his Hippocratic oath. Before he can reverse the boxed spell, the Goblin arrives and breaks the box with one of his bombs, tearing apart the fabric of the Earthly Plane and allowing otherworldly individuals to begin invading this universe. After reconciling with Electro, Peter-Three saves MJ from falling off the Statue, making up for his failure to save his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy. Peter nearly beats the Goblin to death in his rage (much to the lunatic's enjoyment), but Peter-Two forces him to stand down. With Peter-Three's help, Peter eradicates the Goblin from within Osborn.
As Strange struggles to repel the additional people and stitch reality back together, Peter has him cast a new spell to make everyone forget who he is. Strange warns that unlike the previous spell, this will eradicate all traces of Peter's identity, only Spider-Man will remain known. However, Peter tells him to do it as they need to save reality. Not only does this new spell close the rifts, but it also sends everyone back to their home universes. Peter embraces Ned and MJ one last time - with Peter and MJ stating their love for each other and sharing a very passionate kiss - before departing, promising to find and reunite with them.
A few weeks later, he moves to reconnect with his now MIT-bound friends but decides not to after being reminded of the wounds MJ obtained during the battle, believing his loneliness is a worthy price for their happiness. At Aunt May's grave, Peter shares an exchange with Happy, who is also a stranger and is inspired to continue her mantra of service and responsibility. Moving into a cheaper apartment with a GED study guide in hand, Peter stitches together a simpler homemade suit and resumes his activities as an independent Spider-Man.
In a mid-credit scene, the spell casted by Strange sends Eddie Brock back to his universe, but he leaves behind a small remnant of the Venom symbiote.
Cast[]
- Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Zendaya as Michelle Jones-Watson
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
- Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds
- Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan
- Jamie Foxx as Max Dillon/Electro
- Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin
- Alfred Molina as Dr. Otto Octavius/Doc Ock
- Benedict Wong as Wong
- Tony Revolori as Flash Thompson
- Marisa Tomei as May Parker
- Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Angourie Rice as Betty Brant
- Arian Moayed as Agent Cleary
- Paula Newsome as MIT Assistant Vice Chancellor
- Hannibal Burress as Coach Wilson
- Martin Starr as Mr. Harrington
- J.B. Smoove as Mr. Dell
- J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson
- Rhys Ifans as Dr. Curtis Connors/The Lizard
- Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock
- Thomas Haden Church as Flint Marko/Sandman
- Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Jason Ionello
Uncredited[]
- Alysia Reiner as Sadie Deever[1]
- Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock/Venom
Production[]
On December 30th, 2019, it was revealed that filming was expected to begin in summer 2020.[2] However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the film's production was delayed along with many other productions. Production was due to start in Fall of 2020 and end around February 2021.[3] Production started on October 16, 2020.[4]
Tom landed in Atlanta on October 26, 2020, and received the script for the movie.[5] and Zendaya arrived the following morning, ready to start filming.[6] Jacob Batalon shared the first behind the scenes image as Ned Leeds, that he had already started filming, on October 29, 2020.[7] Tom Holland shared a behind the scenes as Spider-Man on November 6, 2020.[8]
Tom Holland and Zendaya were spotted filming a scene together on November 17, 2020.[9] Marisa Tomei, who plays Aunt May, reportedly had arrived in Atlanta for the movie, on January 18, 2021.[10] Harry Holland was shown on set with his brother Tom in January 2021.[11] Filming continued at Pinewood Studios from February to late March 2021.[12] In February 2021, Tom Holland's brother Harry was seen on set, which later revealed his role in the film. It was later revealed Harry would portray a drug dealer, and Tom said they had about a month left of filming.
Tom Holland confirmed that filming wrapped on March 26, 2021.[13]
The official teaser trailer for the film was released on August 23, 2021.
The second trailer released on November 16, 2021.[14] Holland, Zendaya, and Batalon reacted to the trailer on November 18th, 2021.[15]
The press tour officially began on November 29, 2021, in Paris, with a real-life couple Tom Holland and Zendaya arriving at the Ballon Dor Event. [16]
Jacob Batalon joined Tom and Zendaya for the press tour for the first time on December 5, 2021 in London for a promotional protocol.[17]
The premiere was held on December 13, 2021, with couple Tom Holland and Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei, and others.
Music[]
- Main article: Spider-Man: No Way Home (soundtrack)
In November 2020, Homecoming and Far From Home composer Michael Giacchino was confirmed to be returning. The film's score was released digitally on December 17, 2021 with a track titled "Arachnoverture" released as a single on December 9 and another titled "Exit Through the Lobby" released the following day.
Reception[]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 93%, with an average score of 7.90/10, based on 431 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "A bigger, bolder Spider-Man sequel, No Way Home expands the franchise's scope and stakes without losing sight of its humor and heart." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 71 out of 100, based on 60 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews". PostTrak reported 95% of audience members gave it a positive score, with 89% saying they would definitely recommend it.
Videos[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Kevin Feige and the producer Richie Palmer explain that it was what Loki and Sylvie did at the end of Loki season 1 (with the "activation" of the Multiverse) that led to the possibilities seen in What If...?, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.[18]
- Unlike the previous two films this is the first Marvel Studios Spider-Man film to not open with a cold opening.
- This is the fourth Marvel Cinematic Universe film not to include a post-credits scene at all after The Incredible Hulk, Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Endgame.
- It was originally due to come out in July 2021, but was then pushed back to November because of COVID-19, and it was then pushed back again by a month to December 17, 2021.
- According to Tom Holland, the film is "something very different and special" as well as "bigger and better" than other installments.[19] Proven with the inclusion of the multiverse's other Spider-Men and villains, rather than be just Spider-Man against a singular villain.
- Part of the movie is partly set during the Christmas period. This makes it the first Spider-Man film to be set during Christmastime, and the third MCU installment to be set during this time of year as well, after Iron Man 3 and Hawkeye. Ironically, both Iron Man 3 and this film are the third film in their respective trilogies.
- Tom Holland described the film as the "most ambitious" Spider-Man film ever made.[20]
- Tom Holland, Jacob Batalon and Zendaya shared three different fake titles for the film before director Jon Watts revealed the real title.[21][22]
- Flash Thompson has blond hair in the film, much like he does in most previous versions and unlike Homecoming and Far From Home.
- This is the first MCU film to have a December release.
- Tom Holland described the film as the most difficult Spider-Man film they have ever made.[23]
- This is Holland's favorite film out of the trilogy.[24]
- Harry Holland didn't have to audition for his role, as it was an idea by Tom and Jon Watts to include him.
- This film picks up Doc Ock's story from "the moment in the river" from Spider-Man 2
- The film takes place directly after Spider-Man: Far From Home (with the overlapping events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Morbius as a post-credits scene).
- On August 22, 2021, a trailer was leaked on social media but was quickly taken down. It was officially released online a few hours later.
- The first trailer received 355.5M global views in its first 24 hours, making it the most-watched trailer in a 24-hour time span, surpassing the previous record-holder Avengers: Endgame, which had 289M views within 24 hours.
- Tom Holland and Zendaya started dating during the filming of this movie.
- Peter worrying about MJ forgetting their relationship after the spell, references the comics when Spider-Man asks Doctor Strange to make everyone forget his identity (same as in this movie) and it causes Mary Jane to forget she is married to Peter.
- The film is two hours and twenty-eight minutes long, making it the fifth-longest MCU film after Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Eternals, and Avengers: Infinity War.
- Jon Watts considers this film to be "Spider-Man's Endgame".
- Jacob Batalon was in limited interviews for the press tour for the movie due to scheduled conflicts.[25] Benedict Cumberbatch was also in limited interviews due to reshoots for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
- It was confirmed in November 2021 that this is not the final film to star Tom Holland; a second trilogy has been announced, featuring Peter Parker in college.[26]
- Harry Holland was set to have a cameo but was cut from the film.[27] His scene was later used in the extended version.
scrapped idea.
- Lexi Rabe was also going to appear as Morgan Stark but was cut from the film.[28]
- Spider-Man: No Way Home is the first movie to make a billion dollars at the box office during the pandemic, as well as the first MCU movie to do so since Spider-Man: Far From Home.[29]
- Tom Hardy was uncredited for his appearance as Eddie Brock and Venom (from Sony's Spider-Man Universe).
- Marisa Tomei and Alfred Molina previously worked together in The Perez Family.
- There was originally going to be a scene where Peter visited Doctor Strange when he was sick.[30]
- The writers found the scene where Peter tries to convince Doctor Strange to save the villains one of the hardest scenes to write.[31]
- Originally, Aunt May was going to die in an ambulance, but it was scrapped due to concerns with the COVID-19 pandemic.[32]
- Mysterio was going to return and fight against Doctor Strange.[33]
Aunt May's original death scene.
- The movie won the "best movie" award at the 2022 Kids Choice Awards and Tom Holland also won the "favourite movie actor" for his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in this movie.[34]
- In the trailer, Dr Strange says "Scooby Doo this crap!", but in the released version, he says "Scooby Doo this s**t!".
- Alfred Molina got teary eyed during the reunion of Doc Ock and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man.[35]
- Matt Murdock originally caught a snow globe, but it was later changed to a brick, in his scene.[36]
- Electro saying he thought the Amazing Spider-Man was black and "there's gotta be a black Spider-Man out there somewhere", is a reference to Miles Morales's Spider-Man.
- When Electro first appears, he is blue just like in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but his powers turn yellow later in the movie, which is more accurate to his original mainstream comic book counterpart. His previous version was from Marvel's Ultimate Marvel version.
- This movie has the biggest cast list in any Spider-Man live action film.
- Betty Brant only appears during live broadcasts. She also says "Go get 'em tiger. Or shall I say, spider", which is a reference Mary Jane Watson calling Peter "tiger" in the comics and in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films.
- Sandman actor Thomas Haden Church and Lizard actor Rhys Ifans did not physically appear on set for the film. Instead, they both recorded their lines and their transformation scenes were re-used from their respective films.[37]
- This is the first Spider-Man movie to use the word sex. It is used when Aunt May tries to assure Peter he shouldn't feel weird about it with MJ, which he denies.
Peter visiting Adrian Toomes, scrapped idea.
- When Aunt May is dying, Peter tells her "It's just me and you", the same quote she told him when she was confronting him about sneaking out every night in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
- During his fight with Doctor Strange, Spider-Man briefly wears the cloak of levitation like he wears it in the comics. Peter was also previously seen wearing it in the zombie outbreak episode of What If...?.
- Spider-Man was originally going to visit Adrian Toomes/Vulture with the villains, until the idea was scrapped.
- Despite being released after the Hawkeye series, this film is set before it.
- When the three Spider-Men land on the Statue of Liberty after swinging together, they land in the order of portrayal. The Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) lands first since he was the first incarnation shown in live action, followed by The Amazing Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield), then with prime universe Spider-Man (Tom Holland) landing last, and in front, since he is the third incarnation, and he is in front which signifies this is his movie and he is the leader of the Spider-trio.
- When Peter and MJ return to Midtown High, one of the members of the public, who asks MJ if she will have Peter's babies, is portrayed by Darnell, who is Zendaya's assistant and a good friend to both her and Tom Holland.
- According to concept art, MJ was originally going to help Spider-Man and his alternate counterparts during the final battle against the Green Goblin. MJ was going to be the one who would inject the cure into the goblin, destroying the alter-ego and bring Norman Osborn back to normal.[38]
- This is the only MCU film that is not on Disney+; the reason why is unknown.
- Tom Holland revealed that Andrew Garfield's line "Are you in a band?" was improv.[39]
- According to the Marvel Studios' The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline, May died and Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man both visited earth-616 on November 13, 2024.
References[]
External links[]
- Spider-Man: No Way Home on Wikipedia
- Spider-Man: No Way Home on IMDb
- Spider-Man: No Way Home on Marvel Cinematic Universe Wiki
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