With Spider-Man 4 officially confirmed with the release immediately after the MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday, speculation is already building around which Marvel villains might take the spotlight. It initially appeared that Spider-Man would be assuming a more street-level approach to crime fighting after Spider-Man: No Way Home, but considering Spider-Man 4’s place in the MCU timeline, with a July 24, 2026, release date, it’s possible that Spidey will have a far grander adversary. Given the MCU’s ever-expanding multiverse and threats from Avengers: Doomsday, Peter Parker’s next battle could bring any number of iconic villains into play.
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Doomsday is bound to have a profound impact on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man considering the RDJ is playing the villain. Iron Man served as Peter’s mentor throughout the MCU, seeing a dark reflection of his former idol will likely prompt conflicted feelings. Interestingly, as Spider-Man 4 will be released immediately after Doomsday, it will likely deal with the fallout of RDJ’s Doctor Doom emergence, much like Spider-Man: Far From Home dealt with RDJ’s Iron Man death.
10 Hobgoblin Is Already Set Up for Spider-Man 4
Ned Leeds Becomes Hobgoblin In The Comics
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Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man 4 has an opportunity to introduce Hobgoblin, a villain with close connections to Peter Parker’s world. One of the most notable adversaries to don the Hobgoblin persona is Ned Leeds, who in the MCU has been long-established as Peter Parker’s best friend – his “man in the chair.” No Way Home saw Ned Leeds gain magical abilities, which could inspire him to adopt the Hobgoblin mantle without his best friend to keep him grounded.
After Doomsday, Ned might feel pressured to protect his city by whatever means necessary, accidentally going down a dark path. Hobgoblin would be an emotionally compelling adversary, especially if Peter and Ned’s former friendship fuels their conflict. As Spider-Man’s world grows darker, Hobgoblin would introduce a unique twist to the Green Goblin legacy, forcing Peter to confront the consequences of his superhero identity to those he cares about.
9 Spider-Man 4 Can Finally Use Venom After No Way Home
A Piece Of Venom Is In The MCU
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After Spider-Man: No Way Home teased Venom’s arrival in the MCU, Spider-Man 4 is the perfect opportunity to bring him in as a full-fledged villain. After the Marvel multiverse adventure in No Way Home, a piece of the Venom Symbiote was left in the MCU universe, teasing the villain’s transition to the wider Marvel franchise. Indeed, Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote could add a more ruthless dynamic to Peter’s life post-Doomsday, mirroring his own darker instincts.
Venom’s character often blurs the line between villain and anti-hero, giving the story an edge that would add complexity to Peter’s journey. Having Venom in Spider-Man 4 could also explore the impact of the multiverse, as a symbiote piece from another reality attaches itself to someone in Peter’s world. The symbiote’s parasitic nature and tendency to enhance its host’s aggression would add a new layer of menace as Peter grapples with RDJ’s return.
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8 Scorpion Has Been Teased Since Homecoming
Mac Gargan Is In Prison In Spider-Man: Homecoming
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Ever since Spider-Man: Homecoming, Mac Gargan has lingered on the sidelines, poised to finally become Scorpion. With Kingpin’s mayoral ambitions in Daredevil: Born Again,NYC’s criminal element will likely be pushed to a new level, meaning that Gargan’s vendetta against Spider-Man could finally come to fruition in Spider-Man 4. This could provide a more grounded narrative following the Multiverse madness of Avengers: Doomsday.
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Scorpion’s technologically enhanced suit would provide a formidable physical challenge for Peter, particularly as he tries to navigate a post-Doomsday world. If Mac Gargan finally suits up as Scorpion, he could represent the city’s festering crime and corruption, compelling Peter to embrace his role as the city’s protector. Scorpion’s backstory also adds depth to his hatred, as he blames Spider-Man for his fall from grace, making their inevitable showdown a personal one.
7 Chameleon Could Exploit Multiverse Variants in a Post-Doomsday MCU
Chameleon Is Known For His Ability To Impersonate Anyone
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In a post-Doomsday MCU, Chameleon’s unique skillset would be more dangerous than ever. Known for his mastery of disguise, Chameleon could take advantage of the multiverse chaos, using variants and shifting identities to destabilize Spider-Man’s life. With the MCU’s multiverse in flux, he could even impersonate loved ones or other heroes, creating constant mistrust around Peter. This is particularly pertinent with RDJ’s return to the franchise.
It is not yet known how the MCU will navigate the physical similarities with Iron Man, but Chameleon could exploit the inevitable confusion even more. Posing as Iron Man, or indeed anyone from Spidey’s past could bring a new level of psychological warfare to Spider-Man’s plight. His appearance would challenge Peter’s ability to tell friend from foe, leaving him vulnerable to Chameleon’s schemes. This villain would add suspense and intrigue, making Peter question what’s real and who he can trust in the aftermath of the multiversal fallout.
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6 A New Green Goblin Could Make Things Personal for Spidey After No Way Home
Green Goblin Killed Aunt May In Spider-Man: No Way Home
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Spider-Man: No Way Home delved deeply into the impact of Green Goblin on Peter’s life, but the introduction of another Goblin could make Spider-Man 4 even more intense. One of the most tragic events in Peter Parker’s Spider-Man career is when Green Goblin killed Aunt May in No Way Home. A new Green Goblin from within the MCU timeline could therefore stir up Peter’s grief once more. In the comics, characters like Harry Osborn and even Roderick Kingsley have taken up the Goblin mantle, giving Peter a villain who strikes close to home.
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After Doomsday, the arrival of another Goblin would add a layer of terror, as Peter faces an all-too-familiar enemy with potentially new tactics and a personal grudge. A new Green Goblin would bring a devastating, personal dimension to Peter’s story. After losing people he loves, the reemergence of a Goblin could challenge his resolve, pushing him to find closure or confront unresolved anger.
5 Spot Would Connect to the MCU’s Multiverse
Spot Was Thrilling In Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse
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Spot’s power to create portals and manipulate spatial dimensions would be a fascinating addition to Spider-Man 4, especially in the wake of the MCU’s multiverse narratives. As a villain, Spot could exploit the MCU’s fractured multiverse, opening rifts in space that complicate Peter’s fight. His portal-based abilities would also create visually inventive action sequences, allowing for high-energy battles across the city.
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The Spot’s control over interdimensional travel could offer a fresh perspective on the multiverse’s chaotic consequences. By challenging Peter with a unique set of powers that bend reality, Spot would add complexity to Peter’s journey, forcing him to adapt his tactics. Spot could also hint at future MCU-wide multiverse threats, as Peter discovers the dangers of a fractured reality on a more personal scale. This would be especially viable if Doom is gathering his Council of Doom from across the multiverse.
4 Prowler Could Help Introduce Miles Morales
Prowler Is Miles Morales’s Uncle
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Prowler, or Aaron Davis, would be a fitting addition to Spider-Man 4 and an ideal gateway for introducing Miles Morales. After Doomsday, the world will be more vulnerable, and characters like Prowler are likely to take advantage of the chaos. Aaron Davis has already been portrayed by Donald Glover in Spider-Man: Homecoming. This scene established the villain in-universe, while also confirming the existence of his nephew, Miles.
Prowler’s story is particularly compelling due to his family ties and moral ambiguity. His criminal lifestyle and connection to Miles add depth to the narrative, potentially setting up a mentor-student relationship between Peter and Miles. Tom Holland himself has called for such a narrative in the MCU’s future. If Spider-Man 4 introduces Miles through Prowler, it could lay the groundwork for an eventual team-up, expanding the Spider-Man mythos within the MCU and creating exciting new dynamics for the character.
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3 Spider-Man 4 Could Deal With Doom and the Doomsday Fallout
Spider-Man 4 Releases Right After Avengers: Doomsday
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Doctor Doom’s presence may still loom large after Avengers: Doomsday, and his influence could very well extend into Spider-Man 4. Doom’s intellect and mastery over science and magic would make him a formidable adversary, even for Spider-Man. RDJ’s casting complicates this further, with Doom potentially prompting Peter to question his mentor’s legacy. Spider-Man facing Doom would elevate Peter’s stakes, as Doom’s plans likely involve widespread control and manipulation.
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If Doom is involved in Spider-Man 4, it would also hint at the next phase of the MCU’s cosmic and mystical storylines, reinforcing Spider-Man’s place among Earth’s mightiest heroes. Doom’s presence could provide Spider-Man with an intellectual challenge, testing his problem-solving skills in ways that few villains have. Coming right after Doomsday, Spider-Man 4 will likely manage the fallout, dealing with the immediate aftermath, and possibly Doom himself.
2 Knull Is Embarking on a Symbiote War
Knull Was Introduced In Venom: The Last Dance
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Knull, the god of symbiotes, represents one of Spider-Man’s most terrifying cosmic threats and would be an ambitious choice for Spider-Man 4. Following Venom: The Last Dance, the creator of the symbiotes declared his intention to wage war. This The Last Dance narrative was left unresolved in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, with no obvious project in which to depict it. The MCU’s Spider-Man 4 could therefore navigate this narrative.
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Knull’s connection to Venom and his intent to dominate the universe would bring massive stakes to Peter’s world, linking him to a larger narrative of cosmic terror and the wider Marvel multiverse. It would mean Spider-Man battling the force behind all symbiotes, giving him an unprecedented challenge. The symbiote war storyline could also tie back to Venom, creating a direct link between Peter and Eddie Brock. Facing Knull’s malevolent power would further Peter’s journey, pushing him beyond Earthly concerns and positioning him as a key hero in the MCU’s cosmic conflicts.
1 Sony Is Still Setting Up Its Sinister Six Team
Sony Has Been Planning a Sinister Six Movie For Years
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The Sinister Six has been a highly anticipated villain team-up since Sony’s The Amazing Spider-Man movies. Spider-Man 4 could be the film to finally realize it. With characters like Vulture, Scorpion, and possibly even Morbius in Sony’s arsenal, the groundwork is there for a formidable team-up against Peter Parker. The SSU’s solo projects also introduce Kraven, Rhino, and Venom, filling out the potential villainous line-up.
Bringing the Sinister Six to life would elevate Spider-Man 4 to epic proportions, as Peter faces not one but multiple iconic villains. The team would test his physical and mental endurance, forcing him to strategize against a diverse set of powers. A Sinister Six storyline would also help bring together loose threads from previous MCU films, making Spider-Man 4 a culmination of everything he’s faced so far throughout the MCU.
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Spider-Man: Homecoming 4 is the first sequel to the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland as the titular wall-crawler. After wiping his identity for the public’s memory in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker continues his crime-fighting adventures without the aid of Iron Man technology or the support of his former allies.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
- Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025
- Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Release Date May 1, 2026
- Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027
Captain America: Brave New World
Thunderbolts*
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
Avengers: Secret Wars