Spider-Man 3’s Original Gwen Stacy Ending Would Have Ruined The Movie

The original ending for Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, which focused on Bryce Dallas Howard's Gwen Stacy, would have completely ruined the film's climactic moments. Released in 2007 and set a year after the events of Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3 follows Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) as he continues to navigate his double life as a college student and a superhero. He is also forced to fight against three new villains: his uncle's killer, Flint Marko/Sandman (Thomas Haden Church); his rival co-worker, Eddie Brock/Venom (Topher Grace); and his former best friend, Harry Osborn/Green Goblin (James Franco).

However, Parker faces his greatest threat when he is possessed by an extraterrestrial symbiote that augments his abilities at the expense of corrupting him by bringing out the darkest parts of his personality. During his possession, Peter all but destroys his romantic relationship with Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and begins dating his lab partner, Gwen Stacy (Bryce Dallas Howard). During the climax of Spider-Man 3, the now-possessed Eddie Brock orchestrates the kidnapping of Mary Jane as revenge for Peter humiliating him and destroying his career. However, this was not what was originally planned for Spider-Man 3's ending, initially, Venom was going to kidnap Gwen Stacy instead.

Venom Kidnapping Gwen In Spider-Man 3 Would Have Hurt Spider-Man 3

Bryce Dallas Howard as Gwen in Spider-Man 3

As revealed in the audio commentary for Spider-Man 3, the film's original ending had Venom and Sandman abduct Gwen Stacy instead of Mary Jane Watson. This decision to change the character in peril during Spider-Man 3's climax came very late in production, one of many different issues that the cast and crew ran into when making the film. Originally, Sam Raimi did not want Mary Jane Watson to be in danger during the climax again like she was in Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, so he initially had Bryce Dallas Howard's Gwen Stacy in mind for Spider-Man 3's final battle, before rewrites reduced her role in the story.

This makes sense for the character, as in the theatrical cut she effectively disappears after the infamous jazz club scene, only later appearing in passing at Harry's funeral. Spider-Man 3 could have also utilized comic book fans' knowledge of Gwen Stacy's death to increase the tension of the climax, especially when Venom declares that he's going to make Spider-Man "lose" her, implying that he's going to kill her. However, having Gwen Stacy involved in the final battle would have hurt Spider-Man 3 overall as it fails to justify any of the other character's decisions in the fight, especially Harry Osborn.

Why Spider-Man 3’s Theatrical Ending Is Better Than The Original Plan

Spider-Man 3's theatrical ending involving Mary Jane is better than the original plan of utilizing Gwen Stacy as it actually justifies Harry Osborn's decision to reunite with Peter. After learning of Peter's identity, and thus his role in the death of Norman Osborn (Willem Dafoe), Harry attempts to kill Peter early on in Spider-Man 3, before contracting amnesia. When Harry finally learns the truth about his father's death, he goes to help Peter fight Venom and Sandman. Having Mary Jane in danger helps to strengthen his decision as he not only arrives to help his former friend, but to save the woman they both love.

If Spider-Man 3 had kept its original Gwen Stacy ending, Harry's decision to help, and ultimately sacrifice his life for Peter Parker, would have made far less sense. Harry Osborn's redemption after becoming the Green Goblin is a major part of Spider-Man 3, and it would have fallen completely flat without the presence of Mary Jane. Though Spider-Man 3 was not originally intended as the end of the franchise, it's theatrical ending effectively brings Harry's character arc full circle as he once again becomes a protagonist, something that the original ending would have failed to justify.

More: Spider-Man 3’s Venom Created A Big Sam Raimi Trilogy Plot Hole