When Spider-Man: No Way Home swung into theaters in 2021, it not only delivered on the promise of uniting three iconic Spider-Men but also tantalized fans with the prospect of something even more ambitious. As it turns out, the film almost took a thrilling dive into the vast Spider-Verse, offering audiences an opportunity to revisit key moments from the past cinematic incarnations of the beloved web-slinger. Concept artist Phil Saunders has recently shared intriguing concept art that reveals an entirely different dimension of possibilities for the film, giving us a glimpse of what could have been.
In a recent revelation, Saunders shared his concept art that portrayed Tom Holland’s Spider-Man and Doctor Strange, played by the talented Benedict Cumberbatch, venturing through alternate dimensions. The original idea was to have the duo engage in a battle over the source of the spell, which, in this early version, was represented by the mystical Book of Vishanti. The artists even had the liberty to play with this concept, using screen captures from previous Spider-Man movies and then seamlessly integrating Holland’s Spidey and Doctor Strange into these iconic moments. This tantalizing prospect promised to whisk fans away on a nostalgic journey through the webslinger’s cinematic history.
In the final cut of the film, Spider-Man and Doctor Strange did indeed clash, but the focus of their altercation shifted. Instead of revisiting past moments from the Spider-Verse, the filmmakers decided to center the battle around the mind-bending, reality-warping powers of Doctor Strange himself. While it made for a visually stunning and engaging sequence, the original concept might have stirred even deeper excitement by tapping into the rich history of the character.
One captivating piece of concept art from Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Verse hinted at a visit to a wrestling tournament, where Spidey and Doctor Strange found themselves confronting the memorable Bonesaw McGraw. It’s a classic callback that would have surely elicited cheers from fans of the original Sam Raimi films.
Another piece of concept art from the same universe depicted Mr. Ditkovitch and his daughter Ursula, characters from the Raimi-directed Spider-Man series. Mr. Ditkovitch, as loyal fans will recall, was Peter Parker’s ever-persistent landlord who seemed perennially interested in collecting the rent. The inclusion of these characters would have added a quirky and nostalgic touch to the multiverse adventure.
In the Andrew Garfield Spider-Verse, the concept art showcased scenes from Oscorp, the nefarious corporation central to the character’s origin story. Additionally, we see a representation of the clock tower, a location laden with emotional significance as it was the site of Gwen Stacy’s tragic demise. These nods to Garfield’s tenure as Spider-Man would have made for a heartfelt tribute to a version of the character that still holds a special place in fans’ hearts.
As Spider-Man: No Way Home achieved incredible success, fans worldwide eagerly await the next chapter in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man journey. In a departure from the known, the fourth MCU Spider-Man movie will present Peter Parker in a world where no one remembers his existence, a consequence of the mystic spell we witnessed in the latest film. The future is rife with potential, as it explores the consequences of such an intriguing premise.
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