The latest standalone movie about everyone’s favorite web-slinging hero,Spider-Man: No Way Home, has been the subject of endless hype. The latest entry to the franchise has been particularly exciting for fans, as the inclusion of the multiverse enables a host of beloved characters to appear fromSpider-Manmovies past, including the inimitable Willem Dafoe as Green Goblin. But Dafoe has revealed that he had one stipulation before returning.
Dafoe delighted as Green Goblin in the first installment of Sam Raimi’s originalSpider-Mantrilogy, released in 2002. The character is the evil alter-ego of Norman Osborn, the father of Peter’s friend Harry, and is a manifestation of a violent insanity induced in Norman after being exposed to a chemical formula in an experiment gone wrong. The Green Goblin met his end at the close ofSpider-Man,but his return nearly twenty years later was teased for months since the introduction of the multiverse, where different iterations of characters can appear in the MCU through different dimensions. Interestingly, the inclusion of the classicSpider-Man villains was initially meant to be a surprisefor fans, but studios decided to confirm the return after months of rumors.
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In soundbites from Sony Pictures Creative Content, obtained by Mulderville and subsequently viral on Twitter, Dafoe spoke about returning asthe infamous villain Green Goblin. Dafoe mentioned his concerns about the character being contrived or whether it might just be a “power cameo” and that he wouldn’t “have something to do.” But the idea as pitched to him by producer Amy Pascal and director Jon Watts managed to convince him, especially Watt’s unique method of allowing actors to bring their own take to characters, which Dafoe said was particularly gratifying. But the one thing Dafoe was especially concerned with was, as he puts it, “the physical stuff,” saying that after the initial pitch and before any script materialized, Dafoe specified, “I want to do the action!” He went on to explain how fun that part is for him, and that he finds it impossible to add integrity to the character without partaking in these scenes.
It’s refreshing to see such an esteemed actor testify to the integrity and artistic qualities of big action movies,as opposed to directors like Martin Scorsesewho loathe the superhero genre. The video was trending on Twitter, with many fans praising the obvious passion and dedication Dafoe has for the iconic character. His scene-stealing performances were highly praised by critics - and he is the original cinematic Spider-Man villain, after all. The hype over his return is testament to how loved the character is.
Though everyone involved in the making ofSpider-Man: No Way Homehas been careful to avoid revealing spoilers and to remain tightlipped, Dafoe alluded to his turn in the movie being “even darker,” and to Green Goblin as having absolutely zero interest in compassion, eschewing everyone weak and only valuing strength. Dafoe sees this as a contemporary take on people in power. After astronomical amounts of anticipation, fans can finally see what’s in store for Peter Parker and co. this week.
