Spider-Man: No Way Home incorporated previous live-action versions of Spider-Man — aka Peter 2 (Tobey Maguire) and Peter 3 (Andrew Garfield) — and explored them and Peter 1 (Tom Holland) in new ways. In doing so, it served as a tribute to the deep ideas and themes that embody all versions, treating them with respect and giving them heartfelt closure.
However, Spider-Man: No Way Home had potential that wasn't fully utilized. Whether it be specific character interactions or other characters who could've been brought in, there was a lot more that could have been done with this idea than what was presented.
10 Venom Has No Involvement In The Main Plot
The ending of Venom: Let There Be Carnage saw Eddie Brock and Venom (Tom Hardy) transported to the Marvel Cinematic Universe where they witness a report of Peter 1 being revealed as Spider-Man. Audiences familiar with Spider-Man lore assumed this was a means to start a rivalry between the two.
Unfortunately, No Way Home only features Brock and Venom in a mid-credits scene where they are transported back to their universe and leave behind a piece of the symbiote to set up the prospect of a sequel.
9 No Sign Of Mary Jane Or Gwen Stacy
Doctor Strange's spell brought several people across the multiverse who knew Peter Parker was Spider-Man. Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy, the love interests of the previous versions of Spider-Man, fit that description. While Gwen died in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, most of the villains who appeared had also died in their respective movies. Nevertheless, while viewers were given insight into how the villains impacted their respective Peter's lives, neither was seen.
Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacey would easily be capable of forming a bond with Michelle Jones (Zendaya) over the joys and hardships that come with dating Spider-Man. Gwen's appearance would've added to Peter 3's turmoil, knowing that sending everyone back would result in her dying again.
8 Mac Gargan aka Scorpion Has Been All But Forgotten
The mid-credits scene of Spider-Man: Homecoming shows an incarcerated Mac Gargan (Michael Mando) approaching Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton). Claiming he's heard that Toomes knows Spider-Man's identity, Gargan seeks to send some criminals on the outside after Spider-Man. Out of respect for Peter 1 saving his life, Toomes claims otherwise.
With Peter 1's identity being exposed in No Way Home, this would have yielded an opportunity for any of those criminals to go after Peter 1, or his loved ones, but there are no signs of them in the film.
7 No Appearance By Miles Morales
After Electro (Jamie Foxx) is drained of his powers, he has a moment with his universe's Spider-Man, Peter 3. Electro laments that the latter isn't black but has hope that there is a black Spider-Man somewhere in the multiverse.
This was an obvious nod to the character of Miles Morales, who was referenced before in Spider-Man Homecoming. Despite that, he has never appeared in a live-action project. The multiverse rules had the capability of incorporating an alternate version of Miles or even setting up his counterpart's story.
6 The Story Of Uncle Ben In The MCU Remains Unknown
When Peter 1 first meets his counterparts, they tell him how — the day their Uncle Bens died — they received the same advice that his Aunt May gave him and encourage him to fight on in honor of her beliefs.
Despite Uncle Ben having the occasional indirect reference, his impact on Peter 1's life is rarely seen. Given this movie is the first time Ben Parker has directly been mentioned in the MCU, Peter 1 could have mentioned how his Uncle Ben impacted his decision to be a superhero.
5 Liz Toomes Only Appears As An Easter Egg
When Doctor Strange is chasing down Peter 1, he passes a magazine stand with a cover featuring the latter's former love interest, Liz Toomes calling him a liar. Liz's reasoning behind this belief would have been interesting to see.
While Peter 1 did save Liz and her father's lives in the first movie, he hurt her a great deal and eventually forced her and her mother to move away. Had Liz appeared, it would've been compelling to see more of her perspective on the movie's events — especially when she knew Peter 1's secret identity.
4 J. Jonah Jameson Is Somewhat Subdued
Far From Home (2019) and No Way Home saw J.K. Simmons reprising his role from the Sam Raimi films as J. Jonah Jameson, the head of the Daily Bugle who leads a smear campaign against Spider-Man.
Despite this, Jameson carries little of his bombast from the Raimi movies. Given No Way Home incorporated two other Spider-Men who have Jameson in their universe, there could've been a scene where they remark how different he is in the MCU or have Jameson acknowledge the shock of three Spider-Men.
3 Mysterio's Crew Likely Remains At Large
Although Quentin Beck aka Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) is brought down at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, his crew doctors footage that's eventually broadcast on the Daily Bugle where Mysterio frames and exposes Peter 1 for the London Attack and his death.
Peter 1 gets his charges quickly dismissed thanks to Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) but there's no explanation as to how he did so. Audiences neither know whether Murdock uncovered the deception of Beck's crew nor is there any indication of their current whereabouts.
2 The History Between Peter 3 And Lizard Is But An Afterthought
Among the past characters brought to the MCU was Doctor Curt Connors aka The Lizard (Rhys Ifans). As Peter 3's first villain, he played a significant part in his journey, helping Peter 3 uncover some secrets about his family, and shape his ideals as Spider-Man.
However, any indication that the two had a history together is almost nowhere to be found in No Way Home. The only thing heard about their past is when Peter 3 offers to make Connors' cure due to having done it before.
1 The Relationship Between Peter 2 And Norman Osborn Largely Winds Up Being Pushed Aside
Norman Osborn, aka the Green Goblin (William Dafoe), is the same character from the Raimi movies but is molded into Peter 1's main villain — challenging Peter 1's belief in helping Norman and the others.
Even though Norman Osborn was originally Peter 2's first villain, was very close to him, and shaped his future as Spider-Man, the two never fought or interacted in No Way Home. Peter 2 offers to develop Osborn's cure when Peter 1 was unwilling to do so, but the only scene the two share is when Norman resurfaces and sees that he stabbed Peter 2.