10 Spider-Man Characters the MCU Needs to Avoid Like the Plague, Ranked

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Venom opens his mouth behind Tom Holland's Spider-Man in MCU art

Published Apr 16, 2026, 6:00 PM EDT

Nicolas Ayala is a Senior Writer for the Comics team at ScreenRant, with over five years of experience writing about Superhero media, action movies, and TV shows.

Certain Marvel characters connected to Spider-Man are unlikely to make their live-action debut anytime soon, and others face significant challenges despite their popularity. Spider-Man's nature as Marvel's most famous hero makes every character around him automatically more relevant to the Marvel Universe. Everyone from Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus to Betty Brant and Robbie Robertson are iconic parts of Marvel lore thanks to the wall-crawler.

Some staples of Spider-Man lore appear in almost every single universe, like Aunt May, Mary Jane, J. Jonah Jameson, and Norman Osborn. All other foes, allies, and supporting characters rotate for each Spider-Man adaptation across live-action, animation, video games, and alternate comic book timeline. Sometimes, even obscure characters get to steal the show, like the Spot in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

While there are many comic book figures who could shine in the MCU, not every character fits the franchise.

10 Shathra

Shathra Is Too Convoluted To Appear Post-Secret Wars

Shathra intimidates Spider-Man in Marvel Comics

Shathra is a cosmic horror entity who takes the form of a Spider-Wasp to hunt Spider-Totems across the multiverse. In the comics, Shathra's arrival completely changes the tone of Peter Parker's stories from street-level heroics to metaphysical survival horror. While it would be an exciting concept, Shathra's live-action debut would require a deep dive into the intricate lore of the Web of Life and Destiny, a concept that might feel redundant after the Multiverse Saga’s heavy focus on divergent timelines and cosmic hierarchies, especially once Phase 6 concludes with Avengers: Secret Wars.

Introducing a wasp goddess who wants to eat Peter’s soul could easily alienate audiences who prefer the long-overdue friendly-neighborhood aspect of the wall-crawler. Though, if Marvel decides to pivot Tom Holland’s Spidey into a more mystical role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Shathra could be the centerpiece of a horror-leaning sequel where Peter has to defend himself from a supernatural predator with ties to other Spider-People across the multiverse.

9 Kangaroo

Kangaroo Is Too Ridiculous For A Spider-Man Movie

Spider-Man villain Kangaroo arrives in Australia using his Kangaroo-Mobile

On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Kangaroo is one of the most ridiculous villains in Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, essentially a man in a mechanical kangaroo suit with a powerful kick. Even though Spider-Man: Brand New Day is shining the spotlight on D-list villains like Boomerang and Tarantula, a man jumping around in a marsupial costume risks leaning too far into unintentional camp. It’s hard to maintain suspension of disbelief around a villain whose primary gimmick is a pouch.

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Spider-Man Trivia

🏠Homecoming2017

✈️Far From Home2019

🌌No Way Home2021

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Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?

AAvengers: Age of Ultron BCaptain America: Civil War CSpider-Man: Homecoming DAvengers: Infinity War

✓ Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America’s shield with his webs in one of the film’s most memorable moments.

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man’s most grounded villains. Who is he?

AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes) BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz) CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan) DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)

✓ Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture — a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he’s the father of Peter’s date Liz is one of the MCU’s best surprises.

✗ Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.

Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn’t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?

AFriday BEdith CKaren DJocasta

✓ Correct! Peter names his suit’s AI “Karen,” voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark’s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark’s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter’s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he’s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?

AWilliam Ginter Riva BAldrich Killian CJustin Hammer DQuentin Beck

✓ Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio — a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries’ B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck’s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter’s trust across Europe.

In one of the MCU’s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio’s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker’s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?

AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London

✓ Correct! Mysterio’s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter’s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson.

With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter’s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?

AWong BWanda Maximoff CDoctor Strange DKarl Mordo

✓ Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter’s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions — for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda’s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.

Throughout all three films, Peter’s loyal best friend serves as his “guy in the chair,” helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter’s best friend?

ANed Leeds BFlash Thompson CHarry Osborn DMiles Morales

✓ Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” He discovers Peter’s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter’s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter’s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn’t appear in Holland’s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable “guy in the chair.”

At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?

AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely CIt removes Peter’s spider powers permanently DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is

✓ Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers — everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn’t erase Spider-Man — people still know the hero exists — but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.

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The MCU has had great success with joke characters who become fan favorites, like Leap-Frog in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's Veb. The Kangaroo could work as a secondary antagonist in a low-stakes opening action sequence, but nothing more. If reimagined as a parkour-obsessed mercenary using experimental Stark-tech leg augmentations, the Kangaroo might have a small chance of at least making his live-action debut.

8 Ben Reilly

Ben Reilly Is Too Closely Intertwined With The Clone Saga

Ben Reilly is Spider-Man's most popular clone, but while he is a beloved icon of the '90s, he brings the infamous Clone Saga's baggage with him. The concept of clones often leads to convoluted identity crises that have historically frustrated readers. Introducing a character who looks exactly like Tom Holland but with a different personality might come across as too corny, reminiscent of a soap opera with tropes that have already been repeated over and over across many sci-fi properties.

Clone Name	Debut Comic	Year	Key Powers & Distinctions
Ben Reilly (Scarlet Spider)	The Amazing Spider-Man #149	1975	Standard Spider-Powers, Peter Parker's original memories.
Kaine Parker	Web of Spider-Man #119	1994	Enhanced strength/speed, corrosive touch. Lacks a Spider-Sense but has organic webbing and arm-stingers.
Spidercide	The Amazing Spider-Man #399	1995	Full shapeshifting and mass manipulation, can turn his body into liquid or semi-solid forms and grow in size.
Guardian	Web of Spider-Man #122	1995	Standard Spider-Powers, suffered from rapid cellular degeneration.
Jack	Web of Spider-Man #122	1995	Standard Spider-Powers, another casualty of cellular degeneration.
Ultimate Jessica Drew	Ultimate Spider-Man #98	2006	Female clone (Earth-1610). Organic webbing from fingertips.
Ultimate Scorpion	Ultimate Spider-Man #97	2006	Clone with a mechanical tail grafted to his spine and cross-mutated DNA.
Ultimate Tarantula	Ultimate Spider-Man #100	2006	A six-armed, man-spider mutation with organic webbing and poisonous fangs.

Ben Reilly’s best quality is his outsider perspective and his iconic hoodie-vest design, which Holland's Peter Parker already wore in the form of his homemade costume from Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming. The MCU could make Ben Reilly work by introducing him not as a clone, but as a multiversal variant from a darker timeline. Then again, it might already be too late to explore this kind of scenario by the time a new Spider-Man movie arrives.

7 Morlun

Morlun Is Too Similar To The Green Goblin

Morlun stands in front of Spider-Man's web

One of the fiercest villains Peter Parker has fought in the comics is Morlun, a psychic vampire who feeds on the life force of Spider-Totems. Morlun is essentially unstoppable and lacks the colorful personality or relatable motives of villains like Green Goblin or Doctor Octopus. However, Morlun's appearances are often relentlessly grim and repetitive. For a cinematic experience, Morlun can feel a bit one-note, lacking the personal connection to Peter that makes for the best MCU villain arcs.

Morlun works best as a slasher villain, something Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin already excelled at. If Marvel Studios wants to do a high-stakes finale for Tom Holland's second Spider-Man trilogy, Morlun could be used to push Peter to his absolute physical limit. Still, Morlun’s ancient history and his multiversal nature could make the story too complicated and similar to Peter Parker and Norman Osborn's dynamics in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

6 Hammerhead

Hammerhead Is Both Too Absurd And Redundant

Hammerhead talks to Spider-Man in Marvel Comics

Hammerhead is one of Marvel's most famous street-level villains, a classic mobster famous for his large, adamantium-enforced skull. While he’s a great comic book villain, Hammerhead might be both too redundant and too ridiculous to stand beside antagonists as terrifyingly realistic as Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin, David Tennant's Kilgrave, and Wilson Bethel's Bullseye. With Wilson Fisk currently dominating the street-level scene in the MCU, adding another tough guy mob boss might not be the best choice.

Hammerhead’s gimmick is also a bit difficult to translate to live-action without looking slightly goofy. A man literally ramming people with his flat forehead is a tough sell for a modern blockbuster. To make Hammerhead stand out, Marvel Studios could lean into the Maggia crime syndicate's old-school aesthetic. If the MCU only uses the "Hammerhead" aspect of his character as a nickname, perhaps he could be the muscle for a more sophisticated villain.

5 Alistair Smythe

Alistair Smythe Is Too Edgy For The MCU

Alistair Smythe wears his ultimate Spider Slayer suit

Alistair Smythe and his Spider-Slayers are a staple of the '90s animated series, but they're incredibly impractical for the MCU's current trajectory. Smythe’s obsession with Spider-Man often mirrors that of other villains we’ve already seen, and his transformation into an Ultimate Spider-Slayer with organic-metallic spikes is a bit too '90s-extreme for the MCU. Smythe's motivation, to avenge his father, is a thoroughly explored trope in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and movies like Iron Man 2, Black Panther, and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Alistair Smythe already made his live-action debut, in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, played by B.J. Novak.

Smythe is a brilliant roboticist, so instead of making him a physical combatant, the MCU could introduce him as a high-level tech consultant for the government, perhaps working for the Department of Damage Control. His Spider-Slayers could be reimagined as high-tech drones designed to police enhanced individuals, which would support themes of surveillance and state-sanctioned hunting. As a bonus detail, the MCU could turn the remaining Stark drones into Alistair Smythe's Spider-Slayers.

4 Harry Osborn

It's Too Late For The MCU To Introduce Harry Osborn

Harry Osborn gets ready to put on the Green Goblin mask

Harry Osborn is Peter’s best friend and eventually his greatest tragedy. However, there have already seen two major cinematic versions of Harry. Like the "father revenge" plot, the "best friend turned enemy" trope is well-worn territory in Marvel movies and shows. A third Harry Osborn might feel like Marvel is retreading old ground; and by this point, both Harry and Gwen Stacy have been absent too long to be introduced so late in Peter Parker's story.

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The MCU could subvert expectations by making Harry a genuine ally who never turns into the Green Goblin. If Harry is introduced as a tech-savvy peer who helps Peter build his gadgets, it could provide a fresh dynamic and help him stand apart from Ned Leeds. Alternatively, the MCU could focus on Harry’s struggle to be his own man away from his father’s shadow, never even mentioning the Green Goblin legacy.

3 Venom

Venom Needs A Longer Break In Live-Action

While Venom is arguably Spider-Man's most popular foe, the MCU has a Venom problem due to Sony's adaptation of the anti-hero in an entirely different universe. Another Eddie Brock in the MCU would be confusing for the general public and might feel like a legal necessity more than a creative choice. After Spider-Man: No Way Home, the MCU already has a piece of the symbiote left behind, but rushing into another Venom vs. Spider-Man fight risks comparison to the previous films.

The MCU could avoid Eddie Brock entirely and give the symbiote to a different host, such as Mac Gargan a.k.a. the Scorpion or Flash Thompson, who could become Agent Venom. This would allow the MCU to tell a symbiote story that feels entirely different from Sony's Spider-Man Universe movies. It would also allow Venom to display his villainous side, which he didn't get to show off during his own trilogy.

2 Richard & Mary Parker

Peter Parker's Parents Change The Meaning Of His Superhero Journey

Richard and Mary Parker ready their guns in Spider-Man comic cover

The mystery of Peter Parker's parents is a plot point that has historically bogged down Spider-Man arcs, specifically Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Audiences generally prefer Peter as an everyman whose powers were a fluke, rather than a child of destiny whose parents were secret government agents or scientists. Considering the MCU has even overlooked Uncle Ben, Richard and Mary Parker's introduction would likely overcomplicate Spider-Man's origin and take importance away from Aunt May and Tony Stark.

If Richard and Mary Parker must appear, they should stay in the past. Perhaps a flashback reveals they were low-level SHIELD scientists who worked under Hank Pym or Howard Stark. The MCU's interconnectivity would also allow their connection to SHIELD and the Red Skull to be adapted. However, these parts of MCU canon would have to remain subtle and avoid changing the context of Peter Parker's MCU journey so far.

1 Teresa Parker

Peter Parker's Sister Jumps The Shark

Teresa Parker is Peter Parker’s secret sister, introduced in recent years as a high-level CIA agent. While she's just another dramatic twist in Spider-Man's long list of outrageous experiences in the comics, the sudden introduction of a live-action version of Spider-Man's long-lost sister could be a twist that breaks the audience's immersion. For a Peter Parker who has already lost so much, suddenly gaining a super-spy sister would feel like an unnecessary complication to an already busy life.

If the MCU ever introduces Teresa, she could work if she isn't actually Peter Parker's sister, but an agent assigned to watch him who believes she is, or perhaps a deep-cover operative using the name as a ruse. If handled as a mystery thriller where Peter isn't sure if he can trust her, Teresa Parker could add a layer of intrigue to a more grounded, spy-themed Spider-Man story similar to Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Which Spider-Man character do you not want to see in the MCU?