The relation between Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy was a key part of the duology The Amazing Spider-Man of Mark Webbthe two characters meeting and gradually falling in love, while Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker assumed the role of protector of New York. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 adapted, among other things, the story arc of the death of Gwen Stacy Spider-Man comics, which continues to haunt Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker years later, and even when the latter ends up integrating the MCU. But after No Way Homeall of this can change.
WARNING: this article contains spoilers on Spider-Man: No Way Home. Don’t read on if you don’t want spoilers.
The healing of the wicked in No Way Home
The three Spider-Man, in No Way Home, “cure” their enemies and send them home afterwards. However, as revealed in Avengers: Endgame, changing the past does not affect the present or the future, but creates a new timeline instead. The lizard, then again became the benevolent Doctor Curt Connors and sent back to his original reality, arguably won’t change much in the new timeline, but curing Electro and sending him home as Max Dillon could have fascinating consequences, such as preventing the tragic death of Gwen Stacy.
How could that be? Well, in No Way Home, Electro is back to being a villain, seeking to enhance its power with a Miniature Arc Reactor sourced from Stark Industries. However, thanks to the three Spider-Mans and the redemption of Doctor Octopus, his powers are taken away from him, and he becomes the good man he once was. Max Dillon presumably returns later in the timeline of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where he would not only be unscathed thanks to the disappearance of his powers, but also an ally of Spider-Man, who knows his secret identity. Considering the intelligence and Max Dillon’s experience in No Way Homehe could be an invaluable partner for Spider-Man, finally becoming his friend, as he had wished in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Gwen Stacy alive?
If the fight between Electro and Peter Parker hadn’t happened, then Gwen Stacy would never have been seen by the Green Goblin. For many Internet users, the Green Goblin will always end up becoming the Green Goblin again sooner or later, “cured” in No Way Home or not. Therefore, even if the latter and Spider-Man had fought anywayGwen Stacy would not have been transported on the clock tower and would certainly have survived their fight. Spiderman might have gained a dangerous new enemy in the person of the Green Goblin, but he would not have been heartbroken and would not have become, thereafter, the bitter (but still endearing) character that we could rediscover in No Way Home.
However, it is difficult to know whether the relationship between Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy would have held up over time, when we know that Gwen planned to go to England for her studies. Peter wanted to follow her, but his superhero role might have kept him in New York. We hope that the MCU will be able to answer, in the future, these types of questions about the timelines created after the events of No Way Home. And until we get there, if you want to know why it’s likely only Hulk and Wong remember the identity of Peter Parker after the end of No Way Homeyou can refer to our previous article on the subject.