The MCU Created A Future Spider-Man Problem 8 Years Ago, But I Have The Solution

Peter Parker’s first solo movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, made a big character change that may end up affecting the MCU’s Miles Morales, but Marvel Studios could flip this problem and turn it into an advantage. Tom Holland’s MCU Spider-Man story reached a benchmark in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which marked the end of an era for the web-slinger and forced him to find a new beginning in every aspect of his life. The upcoming Spider-Man 4 will see Peter Parker rebuild his life almost from scratch, meeting new people along the way.

Miles Morales’ live-action debut is imminent, both because of his popularity in the comics and the mᴀssive success of Sony’s Spider-Verse movies. Miles is usually depicted as Peter Parker’s successor, meaning that Tom Holland’s Peter will probably act as Miles’ mentor in a future movie, just like Iron Man tutored Peter in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming. However, Miles’ introduction hasn’t been announced yet, and the only hint about his existence was dropped back in Spider-Man: Homecoming by his uncle Aaron Davis.

Tom Holland’s Spider-Man Stole Miles Morales’ Best Friend

The MCU’s Ned Leeds Is Based On Marvel Comics’ Ganke Lee

Jacob Batalon's Ned Leeds reacts to Spider-Man's real idenтιтy and Ganke Lee talks with Miles Morales — Custom image by Nicolas Ayala

Spider-Man: Homecoming introduced Peter Parker’s friends and acquaintances, including Zendaya’s MJ, Tony Revolori’s Flash Thompson, and Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds. Ned Leeds was clearly based on Miles Morales’ best friend Ganke Lee, both in terms of his physical appearance and personality. Throughout the years, Ned Leeds has cemented his status as Peter Parker’s best friend, and Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s ending could be but a temporary obstacle to their friendship. Unfortunately, Peter Parker’s friendship with Ned Leeds also means that the MCU’s Miles Morales probably won’t be friends with Ganke Lee.

Ned Leeds is a completely different character in the comics. He’s a Daily Bugle reporter who gets manipulated into thinking he’s the Hobgoblin.

Whenever Marvel Studios introduces Miles Morales in the MCU, he could make his debut with a best friend — either an original MCU creation or one based on the comics. While the MCU could introduce a new version of Ganke Lee that doesn’t resemble his comic book counterpart or Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds, Miles’ best friend might be more likely to be a different character altogether. Miles Morales and Peter Parker may be friends for a while, but Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will eventually need to retire and pᴀss on the torch.

The MCU’s Miles Morales Could Switch Best Friends With Peter Parker

Marvel Studios Could Shake Up Miles And Peter’s Friend Groups

Split image of Miles Morales using spider-sense in into the spider-verse and peter parker in iron spider suit in avengers endgame — Custom image by Ollie Bradley

The MCU has already established Peter Parker’s strong relationships with MJ and Ned Leeds. Regardless of whether Peter reunites with MJ and Ned or not, no other character is likely to be as close to Peter as them. In order to help Miles Morales’ close circle stand apart from Peter Parker’s, the MCU could make good use of the Spider-Man characters the franchise has ignored so far; that is, characters as famous as Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy. Harry Osborn in particular could be a creative replacement for Ganke Lee when Miles Morales makes his MCU debut.

Harry Osborn’s MCU introduction as Miles Morales’ best friend would be one of the clearest ways to differentiate the MCU’s Harry Osborn from previous live-action iterations of the character

While Marvel Studios could focus on these dynamics in Spider-Man 4 and other sequels, Harry Osborn’s MCU introduction as Miles Morales’ best friend would be one of the clearest ways to differentiate the MCU’s Harry Osborn from previous live-action iterations of the character. Harry’s love-hate relationship with Peter was a key part of both Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and The Amazing Spider-Man 2. This time around, Harry’s story could explore other venues. Harry Osborn’s MCU debut could also bring with it a new version of Norman Osborn, and Norman Osborn could become Miles Morales’ enemy in the MCU as well.

Why Harry And Norman Osborn Still Deserve To Appear In The MCU

Norman And Harry Osborn Are Too Important To Spider-Man’s History To Be Ignored By The MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has explored aspects of Peter Parker’s story that previous franchises hadn’t, and Spider-Man: No Way Home gave Tom Holland’s Peter Parker the chance to fight Green Goblin. In fact, Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin became Peter Parker’s biggest enemy after killing Aunt May. Still, the MCU’s Earth-616 doesn’t have its own version of Norman and Harry Osborn, as seemingly confirmed by Dafoe’s Norman. Even if they never meet Peter Parker, Norman and Harry Osborn’s sixty-year history makes them a welcome addition to the main MCU timeline.

Norman Osborn’s evil persona, shady links to secret organizations, political goals, and Oscorp are all huge opportunities that the MCU could adapt into multi-project storylines. Harry Osborn’s often strained relationship with Norman and his friends, plus his stints as a villain, could also complement Peter Parker or Miles Morales‘ character arc. In Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Colman Domingo’s Norman Osborn and Zeno Robinson’s Harry Osborn prove both characters have plenty of potential for reinvention.

Upcoming MCU Movies

Captain America: Brave New World

Release Date

February 14, 2025

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Thunderbolts*

Release Date

May 2, 2025

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The Fantastic Four: First Steps

Release Date

July 25, 2025

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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

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Spider-Man Homecoming 4

Release Date

July 24, 2026

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Avengers: Secret Wars

Release Date

May 7, 2027

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