Kevin Feige Reveals His Favorite Spider-Man Villains

Marvel Studios president Kevin Fiege reveals his favorite villains from the Spider-Man: Homecoming movies. While the beloved web-slinger is undoubtedly one of the most widely recognized superheroes in the world, part of what makes Spider-Man so popular is his fascinating rogues gallery that includes a diverse roster of menacing foes. While a number of Spider-Man villains from the comics have jumped to the big screen with Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man movies, antagonists from Jon Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming film series are the ones that have presently captured the pop culture zeitgeist.

Tom Holland's Peter Parker faced off against many formidable opponents across Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, which ultimately upended his life and caused him to lose the people he loved the most. Initially, he battles against his own enemies. But, in the 2021 blockbuster film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter faces an additional challenge as the multiverse breaks open after Dr. Stephen Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) spell goes wrong. Several non-MCU adversaries from alternate realities enter the universe to wreak havoc, although Peter does get help from fellow Spider-Men - Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire.

Now, in a new interview published in The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 900, which has been shared by user Caciulacdlac on Reddit, Feige reveals his favorite Spider-Man villains from Watts' movies. As the Marvel boss explains, his top picks are Dr. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Quentin Beck /Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhall), and Adrian Toomes/Vulture (Michael Keaton). Feige says Green Goblin would have been a convenient response, but he prefers Vulture since the character has a more compelling backstory. Read what he said below.

"That’s hard. I mean, of course I’m going to think of the ones that we’ve worked on in the movies. Doc Ock, for sure. Mysterio, both in the comics and the movies, is such a crazy, unique, specific character.

I could easily say a Goblin, but I’m going to say Vulture. Like my hero Paste-Pot Pete, I appreciate people who aren’t billionaires and test scientific things on themselves. People who are grinding and figuring it out. Michael Keaton played him in Homecoming. He thinks this world is nuts—all these people flying around and doing all these things just because they’re rich or they’re gods or aliens... I’m going to take their scraps and do it myself."

Feige's fondness for Molina's Doctor Octopus isn't surprising, considering he had served as a producer for the movie, Spider-Man 2, where the bionic-tentacled villain made his debut. So there is obviously some nostalgia associated with that character. Even in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Octopus serves as a powerful opponent to Peter, as he gets involved in an epic fight scene with the superhero only a minute after his arrival. Molina's portrayal was as convincing as ever, and his scenes, such as where he picks and throws cars, comprised some of the best action sequences in the movie. Gyllenhall's Mysterio is, of course, a very different villain than Octopus. A more psychological threat than a physical one, Gyllenhall was able to manipulate audiences' admiration for superheroes with his act, which left viewers stunned and set the stage for an even bigger cinematic event. Feige's liking for the two contrasting antagonists demonstrates that he values performances and individuality over standard tropes, and he is particularly impressed by quirky and unique stories.

Finally, as Fiege prefers Vulture over Green Goblin, it further bespeaks his taste. With his advanced military technology and super soldier serum, Green Goblin is arguably the most terrifying and strapping villain that Peter comes across. And many regard him as his ultimate enemy. But to Fiege, The Vulture is a more intriguing villain than Green Goblin. He is a regular guy, not as delusional as to wanting to take over the world. But someone who has been forced into villainy due to his circumstances. Although Peter confronts far more powerful villains down the line, it is The Vulture who makes him realize what it truly means to be a hero. As The Vulture is clearly one of Fiege's favorite Spider-Man: Homecoming villains, it shows that the producer is fond of cogent backstories and likes complex and multi-faceted characters. Fiege is the architect of the MCU and the characterization of the various villains in the franchise is, thus, reflective of his philosophy and understanding of what makes a "bad guy."

Next: No Way Home's Deleted Villain Scene Would've Added To A Weird MCU Trend

Source: Caciulacdlac/Reddit