Trilogies have a unique way of unfolding narratives. Iconic examples include The Dark Knight, Hunger Games, and even the lesser-known Unbreakable trilogy by M. Night Shyamalan. Each installment in a trilogy follows the same structure as an individual story, with a well-defined beginning, middle, and end.
In the 21st century alone, there have been two Spider-Man trilogies: one directed by Sam Raimi in the early 2000s starring Tobey Maguire, and another known as the Home trilogy directed by Jon Watts featuring Tom Holland, which is part of the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While the possibility of a fourth Raimi Spider-Man film exists, it is inevitable that a fourth installment in the Home trilogy will come to fruition.
Spider-Man 4 Will Continue From the Home Trilogy's Origin Story
Now that the Home trilogy has reached its conclusion, it presents a golden opportunity to view the fourth film as a fresh start, potentially marking the beginning of a brand new trilogy. This not only makes logical sense from a storytelling perspective, but also because the Home series is perfectly positioned for a clean slate and holds the advantage of narrating a novel tale centered around the amicable Spider-Man of our friendly neighborhood. This endeavor can build upon the foundation laid by the conclusion of the third film, No Way Home.
The Home trilogy stands out as the inaugural live-action Spider-Man film series integrated into a larger universe, as it was always intended to be a vital part of the MCU. Unlike the previous series directed by Raimi and Marc Webb (the Andrew Garfield movies), where Spider-Man functioned as the sole Marvel superhero, the Home trilogy unfolds within a world of diverse Marvel characters.
Not only was the Home trilogy a part of a larger universe, but Spider-Man himself became an Avenger after being appointed by Tony Stark in Infinity War. While Raimi and Webb's Spider-Man films served as origin stories, depicting the radioactive spider bite and the experimentation with different costumes, Spider-Man is already an established character in the Home series and is recognized by the people of New York as a vigilante hero.
However, in No Way Home, Doctor Strange erases everyone's memory of Peter Parker. This sets up the fourth film to start anew while already having the origin story resolved. It presents a uniquely intriguing setup where the fourth film can explore the classic narrative of Peter Parker concealing his identity as Spider-Man, while also expanding on the existing depth and history of the story.
Spider-Man 4 Should Feel Less Like a Sequel
The fourth Spider-Man film should have a fresh start, where new viewers only need to know that Peter Parker's identity is a secret, Aunt May is no longer alive, and the Blip occurred. Apart from that, the movie should have a stand-alone feel and be easily understood by anyone.
Moreover, it is important to limit or eliminate references to the Avengers in Spider-Man 4. The focus should solely be on the world of Spider-Man and Peter Parker in New York City. This film will mark a new era for both the viewers and Peter Parker, with a clear emphasis on Spider-Man rather than the wider events of the MCU.
With that being said, it is inevitable to make references to the MCU canon. After all, both Doctor Strange and Happy reside in New York. Furthermore, the entire first Avengers movie unfolded in the city, and the alien invasion that occurred there is an event etched in everyone's memory. However, these references should be kept to a minimum. This approach will enable the story to center around Spider-Man and ensure that it is easily comprehensible for viewers, eliminating the need to revisit the previous films.
Spider-Man 4 Can Establish a New Status Quo for the MCU's Spidey
The Home trilogy captivated audiences with its unique portrayal of Spider-Man, diverging from the traditional comic book narrative and catering to non-comic book readers. This refreshing approach included the inclusion of iconic heroes like the Avengers, and introduced a compelling twist where Spider-Man becomes Iron Man's protégé. Another interesting aspect was the depiction of a world where high school physical education classes featured educational videos featuring Captain America as the spokesperson.
To freshen up the remainder of the series, it would be ironic if they were to reintroduce the classic Spider-Man storyline, reminiscent of the Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield films. Tom Holland's Peter Parker could be portrayed as a college student and freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, struggling to make ends meet in his studio apartment. Perhaps he could even team up with Dr. Octavius or work at OsCorp, where he may cross paths with Harry Osborn. The key here is for Spider-Man to no longer compare himself to the other Avengers, but instead establish himself as a separate hero, much like Tobey and Andrew did.
Essentially, the new approach for the MCU's Spider-Man films could focus on a more streamlined Spider-Man narrative. His true identity remains a secret, he is the solitary hero in New York City, and his mission involves winning the affection of MJ (or potentially Gwen Stacy if she is introduced). Let's not forget that his costume maintains its classic look, complete with the fluorescent blue coloring and distinctive spider symbol. The anticipation for the future of Spider-Man in the MCU should be high, especially for long-time fans of the franchise.