| “ | Here's the real truth: there are eight million people in this city and those teeming masses exist for the sole purpose of lifting the few exceptional people onto their shoulders. You, me, we're exceptional. I could squash you like a bug right now, but I'm offering you a choice. Join me. Imagine what we could accomplish together. What we could create. Or we could destroy, cause the deaths of countless innocents in selfish battle again and again and again until we're both dead! Is that what you want? Think about it, "hero"! | „ |
| ~ The Green Goblin's "generous proposal" to Spider-Man. |
The Green Goblin is the main antagonist of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and the 2021 Marvel Cinematic Universe film Spider-Man: No Way Home.
He is the thrill-seeking psychotic split personality of Norman Osborn, bent on a bloodthirst for anyone standing in the way of him maintaining his position in power and continuing his horrible doings in New York City and against the titular hero Spider-Man, who is the only one that can stop him, becoming his arch-nemesis. He is ultimately killed while fighting Spider-Man, as he is impaled by his glider he attempted to use to kill Spider-Man. Despite his death, he'd continue to haunt Spider-Man for years.
Twenty-two years later, the Goblin is accidentally transported to a different universe through space and time by a spell performed by Doctor Strange, where he teams up with other supervillains who shared the same fate. Not wanting to go back to a world where he's doomed to die, the Goblin decides to target this world's version of Spider-Man and his loved ones, becoming his second arch-nemesis and most hated enemy, due to killing Peter's aunt May Parker.
He was portrayed by Willem Dafoe.
His Qualities[]
What Makes Him Entertaining?[]
- Even if this is just pure hindsight because of the nigh-unrivaled success Marvel Studios has enjoyed since the 2000s, he is one of the most iconic villains in superhero film history.
- Willem Dafoe did an excellent performance and portrayal of the juxtaposition between the caring and sympathetic character of Norman Osborn and his unhinged, violent split personality of Green Goblin. Dafoe himself said it was one of his favorite roles.
- He is a competent fighter, being able to go toe-to-toe with both Raimiverse and MCU Spider-Men.
- He has several comedic moments and an iconic evil laugh. His lighthearted and merry tone that contrasts his viciousness may also be found entertaining by audiences.
- He has several iconic lines, such as:
- "The heart, Osborn! First, we attack his heart!"
- "Gods don't have to choose, we take!"
- "The one thing they love more than a hero is to watch their hero fail, fall, die trying"
- "Peter, Peter, Peter. No good deed goes unpunished. You can thank me later."
- "Strong enough to have it all. TOO WEAK TO TAKE IT!"
- He is able to figure out that Peter is Spider-Man by noticing the wound on his arm and remembering it was his doing.
- He has a greater influence in the Sam Raimi films than the other villains, as he even from beyond the grave he haunts Harry Osborn through hallucinations and convinces him to avenge his death. He has arguably impacted MCU Peter's life much more than Mysterio.
- The revelation in No Way Home that Norman Osborn and Green Goblin are separate entities makes the former a more sympathetic character and latter more menacing.
- Without his mask, his appearance is even more menacing when revealing his face.
What Makes Him Detestable?[]
- Unlike other MCU villains on this wiki who have legitimate motivations to bring suffering or tragic backstories of some kind or can be reasoned with in some capacity, Green Goblin is solely a hateful sadist who is generally very cruel to everyone around him, committing "For the Evulz" crimes left and right, just like Red Skull, Lorelei, and Kilgrave. Much like the other three, all he wants out of life is to be consistently amused off of the suffering of everybody else.
- He wastes no time at making MCU Peter's life a living hell just because he reminded him of his Peter, smiling before throwing a bomb at the MCU Aunt May and killing her and bragging about her death, whilst being very proud of the fact he was able to provoke him to the point of willingness to kill him out of revenge. Further cementing his status as the Parker Family's greatest enemy.
- He is an efficient corruptor, being the one that drove Harry Osborn to villainy in the first place, and he also convinces Sandman, Lizard, and Electro to turn against Spider-Man.
- He destroys Dr. Strange's contained spell, forcing him to cast a spell that causes everyone to forget MCU Peter's identity.
- He stabbed Raimiverse Peter even after he saved him from being killed by MCU Peter.
- However, he is stabbed in the neck with the Green Goblin anti-serum by MCU Peter in far more ferocity and savagery than before and in an act of karma, restoring Norman back to his normal self.
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 Entertainingly Detestable
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External Links[]
- Green Goblin on the Villains Wiki
- Green Goblin on the Near Pure Evil Wiki