Spider-Man 3: Why Kingpin Is Still The Perfect Villain

Spider-Man 3 already has multiple villains line-up for the sequel, but the foe it really needs is Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin. The next installment in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise is perhaps one of the biggest mysteries of Phase 4 thus far. Not only will Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange be joining the web-slinger, but the sequel is seemingly adapting the Spider-Verse concept. To what capacity remains to be seen, but former Spider-Man villain actors Jamie Foxx and Alfred Molina are back as Electro and Doctor Octopus respectively. But reportedly, it goes beyond just seeing past Spider-Man baddies coming into the MCU.

If the rumors are actually true, it appears that Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire’s respective versions of Spider-Man will be joining Holland in the untitled sequel. It has also been reported that Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy and Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jane Watson will also be showing up in the MCU film. But as if Spider-Man 3 is, reportedly, not already packed already, it seems like the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen is joining the cast too. A recent report has stated that Daredevil star Charlie Cox will be reprising the role of Matt Murdock from the Netflix series in Spider-Man 3.

While all of this, if they are in fact true, is exciting, there is one villain that Spider-Man 3 truly could benefit from and that is Kingpin. Since the Daredevil rights reverted back to Marvel Studios and ever since they got into business with Sony Pictures, there has still not been a Spider-Man/Kingpin storyline in live-action at all. One of the strongest aspects of Spider-Man 3 already is the arc that Peter is going to have to go through because of Mysterio's actions at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home. With Spider-Man's secret identity out in the public, someone like Kingpin would be perfect to serve as the trilogy's final antagonist.

J Jonah Jameson Needs A Boss (He Can't Be A Villain)

Spider-Man: Far From Home began paying homage to the past Spider-Man films by revealing one of the big surprises in the post-credit scene. After having played J. Jonah Jameson in Maguire's trilogy, J.K. Simmons officially got to play the MCU version of the infamous Daily Bugle ranter. Not only does his cameo come as a big shock to fans, but Jonah gets to end the film on a massive note thanks to Mysterio as he helps reveal Spider-Man's true identity. While it has yet to be confirmed, Simmons is more or less in for Spider-Man 3 in some capacity. However, no matter how much he hates Spider-Man, Jonah can't be a villain in this story and that's where Kingpin comes in.

The last Spider-Man film established the Daily Bugle to be a "controversial" online site - a departure from previous iterations. This could open the way for Wilson to actually acquire the site and thus become Jonah's boss. If there is anything Wilson loves more than Vanessa, it is to control information - especially if said information routinely involves disparaging comments and coverage about Spider-Man. It would also be very characteristic for Wilson's business acumen for him to acquire what will likely be - by the time Spider-Man 3 hits theaters - a huge outlet because of Jonah's exclusive.

Someone Bought Stark Tower

Stark Tower, a.k.a. the original Avengers Tower, ended up being sold to an unknown buyer in Spider-Man: Homecoming. By the time the tower's new design is seen in Spider-Man: Far From Home, it's still not known who actually owns it, even all the way in 2024. Perhaps there is a reason they never revealed who it was because it was actually Wilson himself who did it. It wouldn't be out of character for him to purchase the Stark Tower anonymously. If Kingpin is as resourceful and rich in the MCU as he is in most other iterations of his character, then why wouldn't he buy Stark Tower anonymously?

With Tony Stark now dead in the MCU following Avengers: Endgame, Kingpin would be an intriguing replacement and counterpoint to the former heroic billionaire. It would really come off as a power move from Wilson to not only replace Tony but to literally be in control of one of his legacies. Through this tower, it could be how he has been operating in the shadows for years without the rest of the MCU really picking up on it. That would also help explain why Peter had no problem literally swinging through the gaping hole as he wouldn't realize whose building this was.

Kingpin Getting Rid Of Spider-Man Always Makes Sense

While Spider-Man and Kingpin have yet to meet on-screen in the MCU, what Mysterio pulled off in the last installment actually benefits Wilson greatly. With someone like Peter running around and stopping bad guys, it only hurts Wilson in the long-run by not taking advantage of this situation. In many Spider-Man interpretations, Wilson has acted as a public figure that claims to be good, while also operating his more criminal activities under the alias of Kingpin. Wilson could use this situation to make Peter's life a living hell now that his secret identity is out. Given how powerful Kingpin is in the criminal world, he could play a crucial part in now to get rid of Spider-Man for good. It would be a new way to begin their relationship as rivals compared to other versions of them in other Spider-Man media.

It wouldn't make any sense for someone like Wilson to just sit by and not try to get rid of Spider-Man when he is at his most vulnerable. Something that most Spider-Man films haven't had is a grounded antagonist for Peter to take on. Looking at all the iterations so far, Peter has gone up against Green Goblin, Venom, Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Vulture, Lizard, and Mysterio. While Kingpin is a force to be reckoned with due to his size and strength, Wilson is still one of the most grounded villains in Spider-Man's rogues' gallery, accentuating his danger through his cunning and ability to warp the general public's perception of him. For a trilogy finale, having Kingpin serve as the third movie's ultimate big bad would be refreshing, as he's a totally different type of villain to anything the MCU Spider-Man has faced prior.

Kingpin Could Perfectly Orchestrate The Hunt For Spider-Man

With the MCU arrivals of Doc Ock and Electro, there is the potential for the Sinister Six to finally come together cinematically. There is also the Vulture and Scorpion to be considered, as they're currently locked up in prison. A huge role that Kingpin could play as Spider-Man 3's big bad is if he is the person to bring the Sinister Six together in order to commence the hunt for Spidey. This would be another way where Wilson could take the position as the main enemy of the story while still playing a puppet mastery role. Only someone with Kingpin's influence could get Vulture, Scorpion, and potential other Spider-Man foes out of prison for a massive manhunt.

Sony Pictures has for several years tried to get the Sinister Six to the big screen, going back as far as The Amazing Spider-Man franchise. There were even plans to do a Sinister Six movie set in the Marc Webb-universe that ultimately didn't happen. With the collaborative franchise that they have with Marvel Studios that is getting into Spider-Man's trilogy finale, this is pretty much the ideal time to bring the iconic league of foes together. It would give Kingpin a big debut in the MCU movies by orchestrating the hunt for Peter now that he has been unmasked.

While Kingpin is iconic for the role he plays in Daredevil's life, Wilson is definitely one of Spider-Man's greatest villains too. Even if the MCU hasn't acknowledged the Marvel-Netflix shows, they have the perfect Kingpin ready to be used in Vincent D'Onofrio's iteration. D'Onofrio himself has even expressed his interest in joining Spider-Man 3 and there is no reason why he shouldn't take part in the sequel. It would be a huge disservice to not utilize the incredible character that D'Onofrio has created with this version of Kingpin. Even though it seems like other villains will be the major antagonists of Spider-Man 3, Kingpin should really be the main foe in Peter Parker's next adventure.

NEXT: Spider-Man 3: Why Daredevil Is More Important Than Doctor Strange