One of the most interesting things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man movies has been how the title links to the narrative. Homecoming was apt as the wall-crawler graced New York with his presence after the Avengers outing in Captain America: Civil War, while Far From Home saw Tom Holland's Peter Parker in Europe trying to best Mysterio. Interestingly, now that the official trailer for No Way Home's out, it does seem like this film is laying the foundation for Peter's MCU exit.
The idea of home has resonated big time, as it's not just a place in the Big Apple -- it's Peter's family, friends and colleagues. From Aunt May to MJ, and Ned to Happy Hogan, to Earth's Mightiest Heroes, this universe is the home Peter will give his life for, as seen in Infinity War. And as the trailer hints, that may be the case again in this third film from Jon Watts.
Many assumed No Way Home speaks to villains like Green Goblin, Electro, Sandman and the Lizard getting marooned after being in Sony's Spider-Verse. But there's a strong chance the film could end with Peter as the person lost somewhere in another reality, with no way home.
After all, in the trailer, he talks about how he's not able to save everyone, so this hints that Peter might make the ultimate sacrifice, especially as he wants to get the villains home without killing them. It may be mystical, as he's using Doctor Strange's magic to seal rips in space and time, or it could be scientific, with Peter and Otto Octavius perhaps plugging the bridge to the multiverse. Either way, this could lose Spidey in another realm with no chance of ever getting back.
It would honor Iron Man's legacy as Tony Stark made a similar sacrifice, plus it'd add intrigue to the MCU, leaving his loved ones and other Avengers struggling to cope. Holland himself has said he doesn't want to be in his 30s playing Spider-Man, so this is an organic way of allowing other arachnid-based heroes to thrive. Spider-Gwen, the Ben Reilly clones, and even the webheads from Sam Raimi and Marc Webb's films could take the position up if they get stuck in the MCU, but the likeliest option is Miles Morales rising to the challenge.
Miles could be inspired by a departed Peter, taking up arms as New York's new wall-crawler, which would fit the next generation of heroes such as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, perhaps even opening a door to the Champions.
More so, this kills Peter without really killing him, which would allow Sony to use him in films outside of the MCU's continuity, with Venom/Eddie Brock, Morbius and Black Cat as possible partners or opponents. Ultimately, this would be the most difficult test for Peter, trying to find a family away from his home, while still ensuring there's a chance he could get back someday, as a better superhero and young man.
Spider-Man: No Way Home hits theaters Dec. 17.