Ten Deep 04.01.10: The Top 10 Most Needed Spider-Man Movie Villains

Posted by Mike Gorman on 04.01.2010

In the first three Spider-Man films he faced some great and not so great villains. Who should be featured in the upcoming franchise reboot? The Lizard? Chameleon? Black Cat? Or what about Video Man? Mike Gorman lists his top ten choices!

"The Top Ten Spider-Man Villains We Need To See On Film"

Speculation is half the fun of the wait when a movie is being produced. So this week I have decided to speculate on which Spider-Man villains should be featured in the 2012 reboot of the franchise. By now you probably have heard that plans for Spider-Man 4 have been scrapped in favor of restarting the entire series. In that spirit I think that they should not just re-do the villains that have already graced the silver screen. Instead I present you with the ten characters, some well known and others obscure, who I think could spice things up a bit and bring some energy back to Peter Parker's world.




10. Kaine

I wanted to get this one out there right away because he comes from a very storied time in Spider-Man's past. Yes, I am talking about the C word. I am kind of afraid to say it for fear of your attacks but yes I am talking about the oft denigrated Clone Saga. In my opinion this was perhaps the best, well written storyline in Spider-Man history. How perfect was the concept? People are unhappy with where Spider-Man and his tales are headed, so let's reveal that maybe the Spider-Man we know and love is not the real deal. Instead there are clones afoot! A reboot without the need of a devil-esque cosmic entity to make it happen! Out of that story came a truly tragic anti-hero, Kaine. He is an imperfect clone who has suffered his entire life. Imagine seeing this story brought to life on film. It would certainly be an epic adventure, and if rendered in 3D could give Avatar a run for its money. Kaine is the way to go!

Ok, April Fool's! I could not let this day go by unrecognized. Did you really think I would put Kaine on a real list of villains who would be great on film? Wow, oh yee of little faith! On to the true list…




9. Mysterio

I think that if he were handled very well by the writers and director, Mysterio could be one creepy mother. His use of theatrical tricks and illusions seem to walk the line between stage magic and true mystery. His powers and abilities would definitely keep Spider-Man on his toes as he web swings from one illusory world to the next. By the end of the film the audience could be wondering just what is real and where the tricks begin.




8. Video Man

If you're going to reboot a franchise, why not throw some real curveballs at your audience and not just bring back Spider-Man but also his Amazing Friends. These films have often featured multiple villains so I think it is time to throw in some supporting heroes, like the two who used to team up with Spidey during their 80s TV series. I am of course talking about Iceman and Firestar. Who better to reunite this crew than one of their most gimmicky villains. At the time the show aired video games were surging in popularity so the 2-D pixilated villain Video Man seemed like the perfect antagonist for the heroes. Video games are again at an all time high so why not update this antiquity with a more X-Box 360 feel?






7. Man-Wolf and Morbius

Do I even have to do the math on this one for you? All talk of the Spider-Man reboot so far has alluded to them bringing Peter Parker back to his high school roots and targeting a younger audience. What is hotter with the tween set now than werewolves and vampires? I pose the thought that the powers that be behind this film completely pander to their audience and send Spidey into battle against the Marvel Universes' resident vampire and werewolf. The movie would probably suck but think about the money… think about it!




6. Chameleon

What if we were halfway into a Spider-Man film and realized that the character on the screen was not Spider-Man at all? What if the real Spidey is trapped fighting for his life while the Chameleon has taken over his life and is running it into the ground? I think this is something that could be really interesting especially if they push the Chameleon's disguises to the limit. Similar to Mysterio, I think that the Chameleon could do a great job keeping everyone guessing.




5. The Slug

The Kingpin has been done already on film, and let's be honest, no so well. I think that pitting Spider-Man against a crime boss is a great idea so let's switch things up and introduce Miami's underworld lord, The Slug. Not sure who he is? One look tells you most of what you need to know. He is a massively fat crime boss who is pretty immobilized by his blubber but does enjoy suffocating those that cross him in the folds of his flesh. Now there is something we have not yet seen on film. And no, I am not only suggesting the Slug because I think it would be my only chance to star in a Spider-Man film, but I do think I could pull it off. But seriously, he is a relative unknown that not many people could get up in arms about if he were somehow not characterized correctly. A problem often faced when translating comic book characters to the big screen.




4. The Lizard

I think my selection of the Lizard for this list is as much about the character as it is about my desire to not see them toss aside the franchise they had already built for Spider-Man. The Lizard is one of the characters that they had begun to introduce in the films that would make a very logical choice as a central villain for a new film. The Lizard starts out as Dr. Kurt Connors, one of Peter Parker's mentors and ultimately a very tragic character. He develops a serum that he believes will allow him to regrow his lost arm much like a reptile can regrow lost limbs. Instead it turns him into the rampaging Lizard who grows more bestial as his humanity is lost. Would Peter be able to save his teacher? I'd pay to see it!




3. The Sinister Six

One of the complaints about superhero films, especially the sequels, is that they introduce too many characters and don't give enough attention to their development. So conventional wisdom says select one villain and give them your main focus. Since when have I ever really been wise? I say bring on the Sinister Six; The cabal of Spider-Man villains who have all faced defeat at his hands but unite in their hatred of him and work together. The film could utilize this convention more effectively than the comics and make them successful. Let's see these previously bumbling foes get serious.




2. The Black Cat

Ditch Mary Jane. Ditch Gwen Stacy. Bring on the uber sexy Black Cat and have her spar with Spider-Man for 90 minutes. It would be awesome. For the story potential, and the deep characterization. Yeah, that's the ticket.


And lastly…




1. Kraven

Some of my choices so far have been a bit tongue in cheek but I truly believe that a serious take on Kraven the Hunter deciding that his next trophy should be the head of Spider-Man would be a totally kick ass movie. Never before would the phrase "The Concrete Jungle" be more appropriate than when we get to see Kraven hunting Spidey down like an animal. I think this would really work if they made sure to keep a dark and gritty tone to the story and made a film about a true hunter. Images of Spider-Man having to run through the streets of the city to avoid Kraven's rifle could truly be epic. This is one that I think needs to happen.

Check out this Lego Spider-Man video where he faces Kraven:



Did I miss the villain you think should face Spidey in his next film outing? Tell me all about it and if you like you can comment on my list. I am sure that someone out there is going to school me on why Swarm should have been included, or maybe Boomerang.

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