Recently, exciting news has emerged about the next Tom Holland’s Spider-Man movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Spider-Man 4. Following the massive success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans are eagerly awaiting the continuation of Peter Parker’s journey in the MCU. The expected release date for this highly anticipated film is July 2026, and early reports suggest that it will be a full-fledged multiversal movie. However, this news has sparked a significant debate among fans, dividing them into two distinct camps: those who want a grounded Spider-Man story and those who are excited about another multiversal adventure.
The Demand for a Grounded Spider-Man Story
Let’s first explore the perspective of fans who are yearning for a grounded Spider-Man story. For many, the appeal of Spider-Man lies in his portrayal as a relatable, down-to-earth hero—a “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man,” if you will. This is the kind of Spider-Man we saw in Tobey Maguire’s and Andrew Garfield’s versions, where the focus was more on Peter Parker’s personal struggles and the challenges he faced in his daily life, rather than on saving the world or battling cosmic threats.
In the MCU, we got a taste of this with Spider-Man: Homecoming, which was a more grounded story that focused on Peter’s high school life and his struggle to prove himself as a hero. Far From Home also had elements of this grounded approach, though it was more expansive in scope. However, No Way Home took Spider-Man into the multiverse, creating a larger-than-life story that some fans feel overshadowed the more personal, character-driven narratives they had been hoping for.
These fans argue that the Spider-Man movies in the MCU have leaned too heavily into the epic, larger-than-life stories, unlike Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, which balanced emotional depth with superhero action. Raimi’s films didn’t focus on world-ending threats or multiverse-spanning adventures; instead, they depicted Spider-Man as a hero who dealt with more personal, immediate dangers, without the help of other superheroes. This portrayal emphasized Peter’s independence and the weight of his responsibilities, which many fans now long to see in the MCU.
Moreover, after the events of No Way Home, where Peter Parker has matured significantly and is left in a situation where everyone has forgotten who he is, a grounded story seems like a natural progression. This would allow Peter to rebuild his life from the ground up, much like how Tony Stark discovered him in Civil War—as a local hero dealing with everyday crimes. Fans are eager to see a mature Spider-Man, fully capable of handling his powers without relying on other superheroes, and they believe this is the perfect time for such a story.
The Appeal of a Multiversal Spider-Man Movie
On the other side of the debate are fans who are excited about the prospect of another multiversal Spider-Man movie. Given the current direction of the MCU, with the Multiverse Saga leading up to Secret Wars, it makes sense to include Spider-Man in another multiversal adventure. After all, Spider-Man has always been a character deeply embedded in the concept of the multiverse, as evidenced by the popularity of the Spider-Verse in comics and animated films.
The success of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse shows that audiences are more than ready for multiversal stories involving Spider-Man. These films have not only been critically acclaimed but have also won prestigious awards, including an Oscar, demonstrating that the multiverse concept resonates with both fans and critics. The idea of exploring different versions of Spider-Man, each with its own unique story and background, is an exciting prospect for many fans.
Additionally, no other superhero in the comic books has as many variants or multiversal stories as Spider-Man. The fact that the entire multiverse surrounding this character is known as the Spider-Verse speaks volumes about his significance in this realm. With the upcoming live-action Spider-Man Noir series, where Nicolas Cage is rumored to reprise his role as the voice of the character, and the next animated installment Beyond the Spider-Verse on the horizon, it’s clear that multiversal Spider-Man stories are here to stay.
For these fans, the prospect of seeing Spider-Man continue to explore the multiverse in live-action is thrilling. They argue that a multiversal movie would be the perfect lead-up to Secret Wars, tying into the larger narrative of the MCU and setting the stage for even more epic storytelling. The multiverse allows for endless creative possibilities, and with Spider-Man at the center, the potential for groundbreaking cinematic moments is enormous.
A Hybrid Approach
Given the strong arguments on both sides, one possible solution could be a hybrid approach—combining elements of both grounded and multiversal storytelling in Spider-Man 4. This approach would allow the MCU to satisfy both camps of fans, delivering a story that has the emotional depth and personal stakes of a grounded narrative, while also exploring the multiverse in a meaningful way.
For instance, the film could start with Peter Parker dealing with the consequences of No Way Home, focusing on his personal struggles and the challenges he faces now that everyone has forgotten who he is. This would ground the story in a more relatable context, giving fans the mature, independent Spider-Man they’ve been asking for. As the story progresses, the multiverse could come into play, perhaps as a secondary plotline that gradually takes center stage, leading to an epic climax that ties into the broader MCU narrative.
Such an approach would allow for a well-rounded Spider-Man movie that appeals to a wide range of fans, offering the best of both worlds. It would provide the character development and emotional depth that many fans crave, while also delivering the multiversal spectacle that has become synonymous with Spider-Man in recent years.
What’s Next for Spider-Man?
Whether Spider-Man 4 turns out to be a multiversal movie or a grounded one, fans are undeniably passionate about the direction of the character. Both approaches have their merits, and ultimately, what matters most is that the story resonates with audiences and stays true to the essence of Spider-Man.
Personally, I’m excited about the prospect of another Spider-Man movie, regardless of the direction it takes. The MCU has done an excellent job of developing Peter Parker’s character, and I’m confident that whatever story they choose to tell, it will be a thrilling addition to the Spider-Man legacy. As the MCU continues to expand and evolve, it will be interesting to see how they balance the grounded, personal aspects of Spider-Man’s story with the larger, multiversal themes that have become so prominent.
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