Tom Holland’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the web-slinging Spider-Man was left uncertain after the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Reports that the actor was nearing a new deal with Marvel Studios further excited fans who were hoping to see more of Holland in the role of the MCU’s youngest Avenger.
While each entry in the MCU’s Spider-Man trilogy told an original story, they were each inspired by material from the comics. There are a number of comic storylines that fans are hoping to see explored in the MCU. Tom Holland’s version of the character would especially shine in a few storylines that have never been adapted to live-action.
10/10 Spider-Man Could Face One Of His Greatest Foes In Coming Home
J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.’s run on Amazing Spider-Man began with the “Coming Home” storyline. Not only would it fit with the franchise’s title scheme, but “Coming Home” could also bring one of Spider-Man’s most violent villains to the big screen for the first time.
“Coming Home” featured the first appearance of the Inheritor known as Morlun who preyed on the totemic energy of Spider-Man. Morlun is one of the strongest enemies Spider-Man ever faced, and he ties into the larger Spider-Verse storyline that stretches across Marvel’s multiverse.
9/10 Ned Could Debut His Villanous Persona In The Hobgoblin Saga
The character of Ned Leeds merged with the Ultimate Universe’s Ganke Lee to become Peter Parker’s reimagined best friend in the MCU. However, the name of Ned Leeds comes with a dark history in the comics that future installments of the film series could explore.
Ned Leeds was a reporter in the comics who was brainwashed to become the villainous Hobgoblin. The MCU’s Ned learned about the multiversal’s Spider-Men’s villainous best friends in No Way Home. This only further teased the potential heel turn of one of Spider-Man’s closest friends in a cinematic adaptation of “The Hobgoblin Saga.”
8/10 A Virus Gave Spider-Powers To Everybody In The Spider-Island Event
Marvel’s Spider-Island event featured villains like the Jackal and the Spider-Queen as well as the Avengers and other heroes. The large roster of characters could make the storyline a potential crossover event in the MCU if it was adapted.
The Jackal engineered a virus using Spider-Man’s DNA that he unleashed on Manhattan. The infected started gaining spider-powers, though they eventually further mutated into a monstrous spider form. Spider-Man and the Avengers along with some spider-powered characters like Shang-Chi and MJ fought back and found a cure before the virus turned fatal.
7/10 The Stage Was Set For A New Adaptation Of The Symbiote Saga
The post-credit scenes of Spider-Man: No Way Home teased a few comic storylines. One of the scenes featured Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock in a small cameo from Sony’s Venom series. The multiversal shifts left a piece of the alien symbiote stranded in the MCU while Eddie Brock returned to his own universe.
This small scene potentially teased a new adaptation of Spider-Man’s classic “Alien Costume/Symbiote Saga.” There have been a few different versions of this story that have already appeared in comics, animation, and live-action. However, fans are still excited to potentially see Tom Holland put his own spin on Spider-Man’s dark encounter with the alien symbiote.
6/10 Holland’s Range Could Do “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man” Justice
One of the most beloved comic stories is the touching but heartbreaking “The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man.” It first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #248, by writer Roger Stern and penciler Ron Frenz. Spider-Man visited a boy named Tim Harrison after the Daily Bugle featured the young fan.
They reminisced about his career over news clippings, and Spider-Man even revealed his identity to Tim. Readers ultimately learned that Tim only had weeks to live, and Spider-Man was fulfilling his final wish. Holland’s emotional range could finally do the story justice outside of the comics.
5/10 Sony’s Kraven Could Crossover For An Adaptation Of His Last Hunt
While Marvel Studios features Spider-Man in the MCU, Sony has moved forward on projects like Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and Madame Web. However, characters can still crossover, which means Holland could star alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson in an adaptation of “Kraven’s Last Hunt.”
Kraven the Hunter hunted a few Marvel characters over the years, including Spider-Man. He succeeded in catching Spider-Man off-guard in “Kraven’s Last Hunt” and tranquilized the hero. Kraven buried Spider-Man alive for two weeks while impersonating his enemy to prove he was the better man. Kraven then took his own life when Spider-Man returned in the hard-hitting storyline.
4/10 The Clone Saga Could Give Tom Holland A Few New Challenges
It might not initially seem adaptable given the convoluted mess of the ‘90s storyline. However, there were still a few great things about the “Clone Saga.” The Jackal created clones of Spider-Man to torment his old enemy with mind games.
The Clone Saga introduced characters like the Scarlet Spider and new villains like Kaine, who were both clones of Spider-Man. The introduction of clones is tricky to accomplish in live-action. However, it could give Tom Holland a new challenge to take on in his ongoing portrayal of Peter Parker as well as new roles like Spider-Man’s clone Ben Reilly.
3/10 Maximum Carnage Could Unite The MCU’s Street-Level Heroes
Given that the alien symbiote that spawns Carnage has only just appeared in the MCU, an adaptation of the “Maximum Carnage” crossover doesn’t seem as likely. However, it would provide the perfect place for street-level heroes like Daredevil and Moon Knight to make their next MCU appearance.
Carnage gathered a dark family of villains and launched a chaotic massacre in Manhattan. Spider-Man joined his own team of street-level allies like Venom, Black Cat, Morbius, and even Captain America. They fought back against the threat of Carnage in the fan-favorite storyline that explored just how much Spider-Man can take in his ongoing mission.
2/10 Spider-Man Could Meet His Sister In An Adaptation Of Family Business
The live-action franchises have yet to explore a particular part of Spider-Man’s personal life. His sister Teresa Parker is a highly-trained CIA agent who debuted in Spider-Man: Family Business, by Mark Waid, James Robinson, Werther Dell’Edera, and Gabriele dell’Otto.
The graphic novel followed Teresa as she contacted Peter Parker while on the run from Kingpin’s agents. They took on a global quest to uncover the truth about their parents, which could give Tom Holland’s Peter Parker some family in his lonely new world after No Way Home.
1/10 The Death Of Spider-Man Could Introduce A Live-Action Miles Morales
Tom Holland has previously expressed interest in passing on the torch to another character who took over as Spider-Man, Miles Morales. This first occurred in the Ultimate universe of stories, which inspired much of the MCU’s version of Peter Parker.
In “The Death of Spider-Man” storyline, Peter Parker died in battle with the powerful Ultimate Green Goblin. He fought to protect his loved ones from Osborn’s murderous rage before ultimately succumbing to his injuries. His death inspired Miles Morales to follow in his footsteps as the new Spider-Man, which could kick off a new live-action franchise for the MCU.
