Spider-Man Stars Reveal No Way Home's Villains' Motivations | CBR - CBR - Comic Book Resources

With Spider-Man: No Way Home featuring the return of Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Electro, the actors behind these classic Spider-Man movie villains reveal what exactly is driving their characters in the upcoming film.

Appearing in the "Return of the Villains" vignette uploaded to the official Spider-Man YouTube channel, actors Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx -- who play Green Goblin, Doc Ock and Electro, respectively -- discussed the motivations ofr respective characters. "The Goblin believes in a world with losers and winners," Dafoe said. "Power is all that matters." Meanwhile, Molina mentions that Doc Ock's story picks up where audiences last saw him in 2004's Spider-Man 2, with the actor saying, "He's looking for revenge." Rounding out the villainous trio, Foxx explains, "Electro is like, 'The world did me wrong. Now I got this energy, I'm going to get mine.'"

20 years since his debut as Green Goblin/Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, Dafoe touched on how his character will differ this time around during a recent "Villains Panel" discussion. "I liked the idea that I was returning to something that was the same, but different," he said. "It's a return to something I did before with that kind of history, but there's a spin on it." The spin Dafoe refers to could potentially be attached to theories of a second Green Goblin appearing in No Way Home, as suggested by a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment in the film's latest trailer. Fans have speculated this second Goblin could be Harry Osborn played by a returning James Franco, though this potential character's identity and motivations remain a mystery.

Molina, meanwhile, will similarly be reprising his role of Doc Ock after nearly two decades. Though the 68-year-old actor was initially hesitant to return to the iconic character, Molina said that advancements in technology have made him excited to revisit an old project in a new way. Molina also discussed what it meant to him to play a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, saying, "The thing about grounded villains is that -- and that's what's so wonderful about villains in the Marvel Universe -- is that so many of them become villains almost reluctantly. Almost in spite of themselves, you know?"

Last seen in 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Foxx revealed his decision to return to Electro was influenced by producer Amy Pascal explaining that Electro would be "a little more hip." "[Pascal] was explaining to me it was going to be hot," Foxx said, "and I didn't have to be blue and things like that." Electro might also be more friend than foe to New York's resident Web-Swinger this time around, as a short teaser trailer showed the lighting-clad villain say, "My old friend, Spider-Man." While this remark fits Electro's characterization in Amazing Spider-Man 2, it's unclear if he is addressing the MCU Spider-Man or if he's even aware of Spidey's multiverse counterparts.

Audiences will find out for themselves when Spider-Man: No Way Home swings into theaters on Dec. 17.

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Source: YouTube

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Adam Parks (160 Articles Published)

Whether it's Wolverine popping his claws, Spidey swinging through the streets of New York, or Batman brooding, Adam has enjoyed reading and watching superheroes for as long as he's dreamed about being one himself! Adam is an avid consumer of fiction across a variety of media, his favorites including novels, movies, video games, anime, and, of course, comic books. Having completed his degree in Professional Writing, when he isn't reading, watching, or working, Adam spends his time longboarding, playing video games, and writing his debut science fiction novel. He has yet to try all three at the same time.