The Sam Raimi Spider-Man trilogy is an iconic piece of superhero film history that kicked off the Golden Age of comic book movies, leading up to the emergence of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starring Tobey Maguire as the titular neighborhood Spider-Man, this franchise defined what live-action superhero films should look like.
Over the course of these three films, multiple iconic characters from the comic books were adapted for the big screen for the very first time. Given that several of them are either rumored or confirmed to make a return in Spider-Man: No Way Home, now is the perfect time to revisit the franchise's most (and least) likable characters.
Flash Thompson
Flash Thompson had a very minor role in this trilogy, especially considering Tony Rivolori's meatier take on the character in the MCU's Homecoming trilogy. Only appearing in scattered scenes of the first film and in a silent cameo at the end of the third, Joe Manganiello's character has little to work with.
While other versions of the Flash Thompson character, including the comic version himself, tend to portray the high school bully in a more sympathetic light, Raimi's trilogy makes very little effort to give the audience any reason to like him. Flash is unreasonable and unkind, especially to the film's protagonist, making it all the more satisfying when he gets pummeled by a powered-up Peter Parker.
Harry Osborn
Harry Osborn is an integral piece of the Spider-Man mythos, acting as Spider-Man's best friend and eventual worst enemy. Played by James Franco in Raimi's trilogy, Harry walks a thin line, eventually falling into the same ditch as his late father, adopting the mantle of the Green Goblin.
While Harry certainly has sympathetic qualities, the character is hard for audiences to identify with even before his villainous turn. Often acting cocky and arrogant, he replicates his father in all the worst ways, lacking the charm that made Norman a success. Not only that, but Harry consistently takes advantage of his friendship with Peter, even putting his friend in the crosshairs of Doctor Octopus in an effort to get to Spider-Man.
Norman Osborn
Willem Dafoe makes an iconic turn as the Green Goblin, the character responsible for some of Spider-Man's greatest comic book arcs. The character descends quickly into villainy after testing an experimental solution on himself, causing him to have incredible powers without any of the responsibility that goes along with them.
Although Osborn is inarguably wicked, there is something intriguing about Dafoe's take on the character. Despite the fact that the viewer witnesses truly awful acts on the part of Osborn, he comes across not only as interesting, but sympathetic as well. It is this quality that has made this version of the character one of the best live-action supervillains ever, and one that fans are ecstatic to see once more in No Way Home.
Dr. Otto Octavius
Spider-Man 2. Next to the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus is one of Spider-Man's most recognizable and most fearsome rogues--and one that often gives the hero a run for his money.
This version of the character is more sympathetic than his print version, portrayed as a tragic hero whose own hubris becomes his downfall. Like the tragic heroes of old, the audience doesn't want to see Octavius fall but knows that he must in order for the story to be complete. Molina's prominent theatrical background lends itself nicely to this aspect of the beloved character.
J. Jonah Jameson
J. Jonah Jameson has had a wonderful comic book run, one that is perfectly characterized by J.K. Simmons' flabbergastingly perfect portrayal of the character in all three of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films. The publisher of The Daily Bugle is pushy and high-strung, always on the hunt for photos that will convict Spider-Man of being the menace he believes him to be.
Aided by a performance from Simmons that was so good that Marvel opted to bring him back to the role for the MCU rather than recast, Jameson is also puzzlingly likable despite his boisterous and often rude personality. Though he exhibits an aloofness to other characters' well-being, he proves himself to be quite brave and caring when it counts, even refusing to give up Peter's identity to the Green Goblin, a decision which very well could have cost him his life.
Gwen Stacy
Gwen Stacy has a small role in this franchise, appearing only in the final installment of the series. Bryce Dallas Howard portrays the character, who is briefly presented as a potential rival against MJ for Peter's affections after his judgment is clouded by the Venom symbiote.
Despite the fact that Peter uses Gwen as a tool to get under MJ's skin, she managed to redeem herself by proving not only to be unaware of Peter's schemes but also disgusted by them, apologizing to MJ before storming out of the restaurant. Had the franchise continued past the third installment, fans would certainly have liked to see more of Howard's portrayal of Gwen Stacy.
Mary Jane Watson
Mary Jane Watson is the main love interest of Peter Parker both in the comics and in this franchise. Played by Kirsten Dunst, this version of MJ often struggles with her feelings for Peter, cycling through several different love interests before finally settling down with the "boy next door."
Audiences can certainly understand why MJ is the girl Peter daydreams about--she is kind, resourceful, and beautiful. She manages to both Peter Parker and Spider-Man in their endeavors, even though it often comes at her own expense. Her relationship with Peter has its rough patches, but there is something inherently amiable about Dunst's iteration of the classic character.
May Parker
May Parker is Peter's doting aunt who became his surrogate mother at some point before the events of the first film. She and her husband Ben raised Peter themselves, giving him all the care and love that one would expect from a child's parents. In this franchise, the role of Aunt May is played by Rosemary Harris.
Harris often has a minimal amount of screentime in each film, yet still manages to be one of the most memorable parts of the trilogy. She often acts as Peter's moral com, telling him what he needs to hear in his lowest moments, often encouraging him to be the hero he was meant to be. Everything about this version of Aunt May is spot-on, and her conversation with Peter halfway through Spider-Man 2 remains one of the best scenes in any Spider-Man film yet.
Peter Parker
Peter Parker is the main hero of the Spider-Man franchise, played in this version by Tobey Maguire. Maguire's Spider-Man has seen his fair share of iconic moments over the course of his three films, and die-hard Spidey fans hope to see a few more should his character appear in No Way Home.
This version of Peter is hard not to love. From his nerdy alter ego of Peter Parker to his selfless Spider-Man, the character is everything that comic book fans hoped he would be when the character was first announced to be adapted for live-action. Though his heel turn in Spider-Man 3 hurts his reputation, he manages to remain one of the most personable cast of Raimi's franchise.
Ben Parker
Ben Parker is Peter's beloved uncle, and the man who uttered the unforgettable catchphrase "With great power comes great responsibility." His death at the hands of a burglar whom Peter could have stopped motivates his nephew to become the hero that he was always meant to be.
Played in this version by the late Cliff Robertson, Uncle Ben has an irresistible charm about him that makes it impossible for the audience not to love Peter's surrogate father. Though he only appears in a few minutes throughout the entire trilogy, his death hits the viewer just as hard as it does Peter, truly making him the most lovable character in the franchise.
