Review: “Spider-Man No Way Home” looks to be a promising and ambitious film despite only a few details revealed

Plank Article Lucas Rucker ’24

“Spider-Man No Way Home,” the long-awaited sequel to “Spider-Man Far From Home,” is directed by Jon Watts and will be released on Dec. 17, 2021. Some actors confirmed to be in the movie include Tom Holland, Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, J.K. Simmons, and Willem Dafoe.

Two major trailers have been released for the film, but they have revealed very little information. While Marvel movies like these usually have a level of secrecy surrounding them, it seems details about this latest installment are being kept under wraps more so than usual. 

All that the trailers have revealed is that Spider-Man (Tom Holland) deals with the revelation of his secret identity, Peter Parker. This exposure occurred in the last “Spider-Man” movie. 

To try and remedy the situation, Peter goes to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) asking for a spell to be cast that would make the world forget his identity. Peter has second thoughts, however, which disrupts the spell and causes “Spider-Man” villains from other dimensions to enter into the main story. 

Spider-Man will be going toe-to-toe with foes from past “Spider-Man” movie series, including Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) from Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man,” Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) from Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2,” Sand Man from Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” The Lizard from Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and Electro (Jamie Foxx) from Marc Webb’s “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.”

Given that villains from past movies in the Spider-Man” multiverse are returning, many fans suspect that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s portrayals of Spider-Man might make an appearance to help Tom Holland’s. Nothing has been confirmed, however. 

Another rumor is the idea that Doctor Strange, as seen in the trailers, may actually be Supreme Doctor Strange from Marvel’s show “What-If…?” disguised as the Doctor Strange seen in the movies. Some have even speculated that The Vulture or Mysterio, villains from the past two “Spider-Man” movies, may return in this film as well. 

One last rumor is the possibility that Venom from Sony’s movie “Venom” may make an appearance, as hinted in the post-credit scene of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.” His appearance would be very impactful, as it would unite the Sony Marvel movies and Disney Marvel movies into the same storyline.

Speaking of post-credit scenes, be sure to stay in the theater after the movie ends, as there is most likely going to be one or two in this movie. They will likely hint at future Marvel projects, such as the highly anticipated “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.”

Personally, I hope that the movie focuses on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man the most. It should be respectful of the other characters, but Tom’s movie first and foremost. While I want Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man’s in the movie, I believe they should take more of a supporting role.

As of now, tickets for theaters are on sale. If you’re not interested in seeing it in the theater, the movie should be streaming around 18 months after release; however, this is the type of movie you don’t want spoiled, so I’d suggest buying tickets soon.