Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas made the bold move of introducing several performances from outside the franchise into the timeline. Before the mighty Marvel franchise began, numerous production companies owned the cinematic rights to Marvel characters. Subsequently, Marvel have regained those rights and are slowly introducing a swathe of characters. Strikingly, Marvel have elected to revive some earlier performances at the same time.
Several landmark movies inthe MCU timelinehave introduced characters from outside the franchise.Spider-Man: No Way Homeincluded numerous characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, whilecameos inDeadpool & Wolverinedepicted a litany of characters previously owned by 20th Century Fox. Now that most Marvel characters are back under Disney’s remit, many more familiar faces could be integrated intothe MCU’s future.
Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie Ranked Worst To Best
Over 17 years and 35 movies, the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies have redefined blockbuster cinema. But how do all the films stack up?
34Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man
Spider-Man (2002)
Tobey Maguire debuted as Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s 2002 movieSpider-Manand subsequently reprised the role for two sequels produced by Sony. Maguire’s performance quickly became iconic,perfectly capturing Peter Parker’s personalityand establishing several comic book movie genre tropes. Maguire’s Spider-Man officially entered the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Home, teaming up with Tom Holland to help bring down the villains from his era asSpider-Man.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Cast
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
33Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man
Andrew Garfield took up the mantle of Spider-Man when Sony rebooted the franchise, appearing in the widely laudedThe Amazing Spider-Manand its less favorable sequel. Garfieldbrought a frenetic energy to the role, neatly reflecting Spider-Man’s quick wit, while also being undeniably cool. Garfield joined Maguire and Holland in their multiverse team-up inSpider-Man: No Way Home, officially joining the MCU to help bring down Electro and the Lizard.
32Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin
One of the most chilling villain performances in Marvel movie history goes to the sinister acting legend Willem Dafoe and his haunting portrayal of the Green Goblin. Goblin was a particularly creepy adversary, andDafoe’s famed expressive face and voice were especially memorable. Also appearing in the MCU’sSpider-Man: No Way Home, Gobline received a minor costume update and became one of the movie’s most compelling characters.
31Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock
Spider-Man 2
Alfred Molina is often credited as thegreatestSpider-Manvillain everwith his nuanced and tragic portrayal of Otto Octavius, aka Doc Ock. Brought to life with a mixture of practical and digital effects, Doc’s tentacles became a convincing extension of Molina’s character. Molina gave an equally impressive performance when he too joined the fray inSpider-Man: No Way Home, maintaining his deft interpretation of the celebrated villain.
30Jaime Foxx’s Electro
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
ThoughThe Amazing Spider-Man 2is often considered a weaker entry, Jamie Foxx’s Electro was an undeniable highlight. Foxx brought a significant depth to the character, who is frequently depicted as a rather simplistic foe. Foxx added a lot of heart to the villain,making his turn to evil much more compelling. Foxx’s Electro likewise joined the MCU inSpider-Man: No Way Home.
29Thomas Haden Church’s Sandman
Spider-Man 3
Thomas Haden Churchbrought a tragic nuance to the SandmaninSpider-Man 3, crafting a truly sympathetic villain. Church’s performance was a standout feature of Raimi’s third spider movie and did a lot to redeem the slightly messy narrative. Though Church was only available to voice his character’s return inSpider-Man: No Way Home, a CGI rendering of his likeness and archival footage officially brought Church’s Sandman into the MCU.
28Rhys Ifans' The Lizard
The final foe to officially join the MCU inSpider-Man: No WayHomewas Rhys Ifans' the Lizard. Ifans first portrayed the character inThe Amazing Spider-Man, which gave the charactera relatable, Frankenstein’s monster-style inflection thatexplored notions of identity and the consequences of scientific hubris. Like Thomas Haden Church, the Lizard appeared inNo Way Homethrough CGI and archival footage, with Ifans proffering only the voice for his MCU debut.
27Tom Hardy’s Venom
Venom
Tom Hardy’s Venom originated in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe with the eponymously titledVenom. Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock adapted elements from various Venoms to create a thrilling antiheromore in line with the character’s contemporary depictionin Marvel Comics. Tom Hardy made a surprise cameo in theSpider-Man: No Way Homepost-credits sequence, briefly transitioning to the MCU timeline before being transported back.
26John Krasinski’s Mr Fantastic
Fan-Casting
The Fantastic Four’s cinematic character rights were previously owned by 20th Century Fox. After Disney’s acquisition of Fox, John Krasinski was strongly rumored andrepeatedly fan-cast as Reed Richards. This led to the character’s first portrayal in the MCU when Krasinski made a cameo appearance as Mister Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - though Krasinski has not been cast in theMCU’sFantastic Four: First Steps.
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange as he navigates diverse and perilous alternate realities in the Multiverse with the aid of mystical allies. Directed by Sam Raimi, this installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a mysterious new adversary.
25Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier
X-Men (2000)
Patrick Stewart was one of the most memorable members of theX-Menmovies. Starring as Professor Charles Xavier, the wise and gentile leader of the X-Men, Patrick appeared in the originalX-Mentrilogy, each movie inThe Wolverinetrilogy, and inX-Men: Days of Future Past.Like Mister Fantastic, Xavier madea thrilling, albeit brief, cameo appearanceinDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
