Marvel Studios Reportedly Plotting the MCU Version of Norman Osborn SPIDER-MAN Universe

It sounds like Marvel Studios is gearing up to finally introduce their own version of Norman Osborn to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that likely means a fresh take on the Green Goblin is coming to the Spider-Man franchise.

Insider Daniel Richtman recently shared that Marvel is “planning to introduce the MCU version of Norman Osborn.” No word yet on whether this will happen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day or later down the line, but it’s enough to get fans talking.

There’s no confirmation if Willem Dafoe is coming back. Although earlier this year, rumors spread that he might be in talks again, Richtman doesn’t elaborate on whether Marvel wants Dafoe back or if a new actor is being eyed.

I imagine we’ll see a new actor in the role. While it would be cool to see Dafoe return again, I’m not sure if Marvel will go there again.

Dafoe’s return in Spider-Man: No Way Home was a violent reminder of why his Green Goblin is one of the most iconic villains in superhero cinema. Transported into Earth-616 just before his death, Norman Osborn went on a chaotic rampage: murdering Aunt May, psychologically tormenting Peter, and nearly pushing him past the point of no return. And let’s not forget that he stabbed Tobey Maguire’s Spidey in the back just for good measure.

By the time he was “cured” and sent home, the Oscorp CEO looked completely wrecked by his actions. But what exactly did he go back to? Did a new timeline form with a saner Norman Osborn? Is there now a multiverse filled with heroic versions of Goblin, Doc Ock, and Sandman? The Multiverse mechanics might be migraine-inducing, but they definitely leave the door open.

Now, back to the MCU. In No Way Home, Norman claimed that Oscorp didn’t even exist in Tom Holland’s Peter Parker’s world, but that “fact” could easily be retconned, and Marvel has every reason to do so.

When prevously asked if he’d consider coming back as Norman, Dafoe laughed and said: “We’ll see. We’ll see. I could come back. Listen, Tom was great to work with and the whole series of Spider-Man films that I did were great fun. Great fun.”

He echoed that same sentiment later, saying: “If everything was right, sure. I mean, that's a great role. I liked the fact that it's a double role both times. Twenty years ago, and fairly recently, both times [were] very different experiences, but I had a good time on both.”

So, what do you think? Should Marvel introduce a brand-new Norman Osborn, or bring Dafoe back for more chaos? If they get a new one, who should play the character?