Multiple disparate Spidey worlds were already set to collide in the MCU’s Spider-Man 3 — but it might be an even more packed affair, with Willem Dafoe and Thomas Haden Church reportedly returning as Green Goblin and Sandman, respectively. Played by Tom Holland, the latest incarnation of Peter Parker first debuted in Captain America: Civil War. He has since returned in two solo adventures and featured alongside other Avengers in two other team-up movies. When last seen, however, the teenage web-slinger had been framed for murder by the villainous Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal). As if that wasn’t enough of a cliffhanger, his secret identity had also been leaked to the public.
For many, that seemed like the perfect threads to follow through in the confirmed sequel. However, it’s become more and more apparent that Spider-Man 3 will essentially be two films in one. As well as the chaos that could come from criminals knowing Spidey’s identity, the film will also be pulled into the multiversal drama that’s set to be central to the MCU’s Phase 4. It was previously announced that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield will both reprise their iterations of the popular superhero. Furthermore, they look set to bring several allies and antagonists with them. As well as Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy and Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson, Jamie Foxx’s Electro and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock were also confirmed.
According to The Illuminerdi, however, they won’t be the only villains to joining in with the fun. The outlet exclusively stated that Dafoe and Church are currently finalizing deals to return. Dafoe famously played Norman Osborn (aka Green Goblin) and featured in all three installments of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy. Church, meanwhile, played the remorseful Flint Marko (aka Sandman) in the much-maligned third film of the same trilogy. The Illuminerdi’s information apparently comes from an unnamed source so should be taken with a pinch of salt until an official announcement is made. Still, given the extent of the cast so far, it’s not at all outside the realm of possibility.