Willem Dafoe Returns to Marvel As New Villain (But Not How You Expect)

In a surprising development, Willem Dafoe just unofficially returned to Marvel, playing a different (and much more powerful) villain than his iconic turn as Norman Osborn's Green Goblin.

Willem Dafoe became an iconic part of Marvel history thanks to his role in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, expertly switching between the disintegrating Norman Osborn and his hallucinatory demon the Green Goblin. Dafoe returned to the character for 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, tragically killing Marisa Tomei's Aunt May.

It's almost impossible to imagine Dafoe playing another Marvel villain - even in a world where Robert Downey Jr. is both Iron Man and Doctor Doom - however this under-the-radar return is hard to deny...

Is Willem Dafoe Marvel's New Nightmare?

In the recently released Marvel Dimensions - from Alex Ross, Jason Millet, Josh Johnson and Ariana Maher - acclaimed artist Ross appears to use Willem Dafoe's likeness for the villainous Nightmare, a recurring, godlike enemy of Doctor Strange, who preys on the human unconscious through dreams.

Marvel Dimensions takes place in the In-Verse - an alternate reality where Marvel's biggest heroes are villains and vice versa. In this world, Nightmare is a member of the 1st Strike, this world's Avengers, takimg the place traditionally held by the Vision. Nightmare reveals he has constructed an artificial form to reside on Earth, inspired by the horrors perpetrated in this dark reality.

Marvel Dimensions doesn't officially confirm that Nightmare uses Dafoe as a model, and it's possible (though unlikely) that the likeness is a coincidence. Ross frequently uses models for his much-praised artwork, often basing bodies and poses on friends and family, and he has used famous faces as inspiration for characters in the past.

Sadly, this practice has limitations, since publishers can't use celebrity likenesses without the appropriate rights. In the past, fans have identified actors including Gregory Peck as Ross' older Batman, and Timothy Dalton as Tony Stark.

Alex Ross Has an Epic Connection To Dafoe's Green Goblin

Interestingly, Nightmare isn't the first (potential) connection between Alex Ross and Willem Dafoe. Ross drew concept art for 2002's Spider-Man, including a design for the villain eventually depicted by Dafoe (below.)

Ross' art shows the Green Goblin physically transformed into a ghoulish appearance (rather than wearing a helmet or mask) and clad in torn rags while wielding a sword and a unique motorcycle-esque glider. Sam Raimi initially intended to use animatronic prosthetics to create the villain, only settling on the iconic armor when they proved impractical.

The design was popular with fans, and arguably mirrors the villain's costume in Brand New Day, though there's no suggestion that Ross' art was used for that purpose. Ross has also drawn the Green Goblin for various projects including the iconic MARVELS (with Kurt Busiek), leaning into the villain's large, yellow 'eyes' being transparent lenses.

Marvel Dimensions is an ambitious explosion of creativity with Alex Ross as both writer and artist, devising compelling opposite personas for Marvel's biggest heroes and villains, and many more characters besides. However, Vision/Nightmare is somewhat unique in swapping an established hero for a pre-existing villain, and all the more narratively compelling because of it, exploring the connections between two figures who exist 'outside' humanity.

Willem Dafoe just seemingly returned to Marvel lore as the latest iteration of the incredibly powerful demonic entity Nightmare, hopefully to return in future stories as a key member of the In-Verse's evil Avengers.

Marvel Dimensions is available now from Marvel Comics.