Green Goblin (Raimi)

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Articles about Norman Osborn
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Here's the real truth. There are eight million people in this city. And those teeming masses exist for the sole purpose of lifting the few exceptional people onto their shoulders. You, me? We're exceptional.
― Goblin explaining his worldview to Spider-Man

NWHGoblin

I've watched you from deep behind Norman's cowardly eyes. Struggling to have everything you want, while the world tries to make you choose. Gods don't have to choose. We take.
― Green Goblin to Spider-Man


Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) serves as the primary antagonist in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. He is the main villain of the original Spider-Man film and appears as a posthumous overarching antagonist in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. An alternate version of Norman Osborn later emerges as the main antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Norman Osborn is a wealthy industrialist, the founder and CEO of Oscorp Technologies, and the father of Harry Osborn, Peter Parker's best friend. After exposure to the experimental Goblin Serum, Norman suffers severe side effects, including insanity and auditory hallucinations of the Goblin. These symptoms cause his mind to split, giving rise to a sinister alternate persona: the Green Goblin. This persona, a ruthless and destructive counterpart to Norman, drives him to commit acts of violence and chaos.

The Green Goblin takes control of Norman, compelling him to destroy anyone and anything in his path. His conflict with Spider-Man begins when the hero rises to protect New York, pitting the two against each other. Upon discovering Spider-Man’s true identity as Peter Parker, the Goblin becomes obsessed with ruining Peter's life, cementing himself as Spider-Man's archenemy.

In their final battle, Norman attempts to kill Spider-Man with his glider but is fatally impaled by it instead. Despite his death, Norman's legacy and the Green Goblin's influence continue to haunt Spider-Man, leaving a lasting impact on Peter's life.

Twenty-two years after his death, a past version of Norman Osborn and his Green Goblin persona is accidentally transported to the year 2024 in an alternate universe. Initially, Norman regains control of his mind and encounters two villains from his home universe and two others from a separate alternate universe. These individuals, like Norman, previously battled Spider-Man, with some meeting similar tragic ends. United by their shared desire to avoid their fates upon returning to their respective timelines, they team up to seek a cure for their conditions.

However, the Green Goblin reemerges, seizing control of Osborn once more. Rejecting the idea of being cured, the Goblin focuses his wrath on this universe’s Spider-Man and his loved ones, ultimately becoming one of his greatest adversaries, second only to Mysterio. After a climactic confrontation, this Spider-Man manages to defeat the Green Goblin by curing Osborn, effectively eliminating the Goblin for good. Osborn is then returned to his home universe, where he is granted a second chance at life in a branched alternate timeline.

Norman Osborn/Green Goblin is portrayed by Willem Dafoe in Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Appearance[edit | edit source]

The Green Goblin's appearance differs across his portrayals in Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Here is an overview:

Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy

  • Suit: Full green metallic armor with a sleek, futuristic design, protecting Norman Osborn while enhancing his physical abilities.
  • Helmet: A green goblin-themed mask with a menacing grin, pointy ears, and yellow-tinted eye lenses.
  • Glider: A high-tech flying glider equipped with various weapons, including pumpkin bombs and blades.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

  • Initial Appearance: The classic green armor from Raimi's films, with minor wear and tear to reflect age and battle damage.
  • Modified Costume: After destroying his helmet, Norman dons a more grounded and rugged look.
    • Purple Hoodie: A tattered, hooded garment reminiscent of the Green Goblin's comic design.
    • Satchel: A brown bag used to carry his pumpkin bombs.
    • Goggles: Black goggles taken from Doctor Octopus to substitute for his broken helmet, giving him a modern and resourceful appearance.

Norman's transformation into the Green Goblin in both versions is marked by his twisted grin, erratic movements, and unsettling demeanor, emphasizing his dual nature and descent into villainy.

Personality[edit | edit source]

Norman Osborn's Personality[edit | edit source]

Norman Osborn is a charismatic, confident individual with a strong sense of integrity. As a devoted father to Harry Osborn, he occasionally neglects his son due to his unwavering dedication to Oscorp. While Norman shows genuine care for Harry, his obsessive commitment to protecting Oscorp from failure reveals his greed and misguided ambition. These traits are exacerbated by external pressures, including manipulation by Oscorp’s board of directors and the military, pushing him to desperate measures. Despite these flaws, Norman has a fundamentally good heart, as many of his actions are driven by well-meaning intentions, even if they lead to tragic outcomes.

Norman's relationship with Harry is complex. Though Harry often feels neglected and believes his father is selfish, Norman demonstrates his love through moments of pride and support, such as attending Harry's high school graduation and apologizing for his shortcomings as a parent. Their bond is further highlighted when Norman embraces Harry's desire to follow in his footsteps.

Norman also forms a bond with Peter Parker, whom he admires for his intelligence and kindness. Grateful for Peter's friendship with Harry, Norman offers him support after Uncle Ben's death and even proposes a job at Oscorp, respecting Peter's decision to decline. When Norman discovers Peter’s identity as Spider-Man, he struggles with his affection for Peter, initially hesitating to harm him. Before his death, Norman entrusts Peter with a final request: to keep his Green Goblin persona a secret from Harry, showcasing his trust and lingering humanity.

Norman's transformation into the Green Goblin stems from his exposure to the experimental serum, which fractures his psyche. Initially unaware of the Goblin's existence, Norman is horrified upon learning of his actions under the Goblin's influence. Despite his guilt and terror, he is unable to resist the Goblin’s dominance, ultimately losing himself to the darker persona.

In No Way Home, an alternate version of Norman exhibits remorse and fear upon discovering the Goblin’s true malevolent nature. Determined to rid himself of the Goblin, Norman destroys his mask and seeks help from the MCU's Spider-Man. His fragile state worsens when he realizes that Oscorp and Harry do not exist in this universe, but he finds solace in the kindness of Aunt May, who inspires him to view life differently. Norman displays selflessness by assisting Spider-Man in curing other villains and is awed by the technological advancements of the MCU. When cured of the Goblin for good, Norman is devastated by the harm his alter ego caused, particularly to Spider-Man.

The Green Goblin's Personality[edit | edit source]

The Green Goblin is a malevolent, unhinged persona born from the serum that fractured Norman Osborn's mind. Unlike Norman, the Goblin is driven by chaos, destruction, and a lust for power. It dominates Norman's actions, manipulating him into committing crimes and terrorizing New York. In public, the Goblin’s influence manifests through aggressive insults and malicious behavior, while in private, it brainwashes Norman into fulfilling its destructive agenda.

Believing it is helping Norman gain power, the Goblin eliminates anyone who stands in his way. It despises Spider-Man, seeing him as a threat, and targets those closest to him to inflict maximum harm. Initially attempting to ally with Spider-Man, the Goblin's hatred intensifies after Spider-Man rejects his offer.

In No Way Home, the Goblin sees the MCU as a new world to conquer and views Norman as weak and cowardly. It seeks to exploit the MCU Spider-Man’s vulnerabilities, killing Aunt May to break his spirit and provoke him into becoming a killer. The Goblin’s cruelty and manipulative nature make it one of Spider-Man's most dangerous enemies, relentlessly pursuing its goal of chaos and destruction.

Biography[edit | edit source]

Early Life[edit | edit source]

"Your mother was beautiful too. They're all beautiful until they're snarling after your trust fund like a pack of ravening wolves..."

―Norman Osborn to Harry Osborn

Norman Osborn was born on October 11, 1945, in Massachusetts to Ambrose Osborn and an unnamed mother. From an early age, Norman displayed remarkable intelligence, consistently excelling in school and skipping several grades. However, his home life was far less positive. His father, a failed businessman and inventor, regularly abused both Norman and his mother. This toxic environment drove Norman to focus on academics, where he found recognition and validation.

In 1963, at the age of 18, Norman graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming its youngest graduate on record. His academic brilliance fueled his ambition, and he quickly established Oscorp Technologies, a firm that initially achieved significant success. With his early profits, Norman relocated to New York City, purchased a luxurious home, and married a woman named Emily.

Despite these achievements, Norman’s life began to mirror his father’s struggles. By 1976, Oscorp faced financial difficulties, forcing Norman to mortgage his home and exhaust every line of credit to keep the company afloat. The 1980s brought further challenges as Oscorp's scientists began to question Norman’s leadership, fearing for their own careers as the company’s future grew increasingly uncertain. In 1983, Norman spent two consecutive workdays trying to prevent a boardroom coup by disgruntled board members.

During this tumultuous period, Norman befriended fellow scientist Otto Octavius and began funding his research through Oscorp. In June 1984, Norman's son Harry Osborn was born, but tragedy struck when his wife Emily passed away shortly after. As Harry grew up, Norman was deeply disappointed by his son's academic failures at prestigious private schools. However, Harry's fortunes began to improve when he attended Midtown High School in New York, where he met Peter Parker and formed a close friendship.

Spider-Man[edit | edit source]

In 2002, Norman Osborn dropped his son Harry off at a school field trip, where Harry introduced him to his best friend, Peter Parker. Norman was immediately impressed by Peter’s intelligence and potential. Later that day, Norman returned to Oscorp, where the company was working on developing a performance-enhancing Super Soldier Serum as part of a military contract. However, the project was fraught with difficulties, including test subjects (rodents) exhibiting extreme aggression and insanity. General Slocum of the U.S. Army, frustrated with the lack of progress, visited Oscorp to demand results. When Dr. Stromm, one of Norman's lead scientists, warned that the formula was unstable, Slocum threatened to withdraw military funding, putting Oscorp's future in jeopardy.

Desperate to save his company, Norman decided to test the serum on himself later that night, becoming its first human subject. The formula granted him superhuman strength, agility, and enhanced intellect but also fractured his mind, driving him partially insane. In a fit of rage, Norman killed Dr. Stromm and stole two Oscorp prototypes: an advanced exoskeleton suit and a jet glider.

The following morning, Harry found Norman unconscious on the floor of their mansion and helped him to a nearby couch. When Harry asked what had happened, Norman claimed he couldn’t remember. He was further alarmed to learn that Dr. Stromm had been killed and two pieces of Oscorp equipment were missing, entirely unaware that he himself was responsible.

Sometime later, while reading a newspaper about Oscorp’s financial troubles, Norman heard eerie, maniacal laughter echoing through his home, leaving him bewildered. That night, Norman—now donning the stolen exoskeleton suit and piloting the jet glider—attacked Quest Aerospace, Oscorp's main competitor. During a demonstration of Quest's new battlesuit for General Slocum, Norman destroyed their prototype and killed Slocum, ensuring Oscorp would remain in contention for the military contract.

Helping Harry and Peter[edit | edit source]

Norman Osborn attended Harry’s high school graduation, where he expressed pride in his son and admitted that Harry had once again proven him wrong. Norman was also pleased to see Peter Parker win the school’s science award, offering him advice and words of comfort following the recent death of Peter’s Uncle Ben. As an additional gesture, Norman arranged for Harry and Peter to share an apartment together while attending college.

Norman made regular visits to check on Harry and Peter, ensuring they were doing well in their studies and personal lives. However, during one of these visits, Norman spent a significant portion of the time on the phone handling business matters, much to Harry’s irritation.

Getting Fired[edit | edit source]

Norman initially celebrated Oscorp's success following the sabotage of Quest Aerospace. With Quest in disarray, Oscorp secured additional government contracts, and the company’s stock prices soared. However, his triumph was short-lived when the board of directors revealed they had accepted a buyout offer from Quest, which would result in Norman losing his position at the company he founded.

Furious and betrayed, Norman lashed out at the board members in a heated outburst as they informed him of their decision. This betrayal triggered a deeper manifestation of his split personality, with Norman’s rational yet frustrated side giving way to the murderous and scheming alter ego that would soon be known as the Green Goblin.

Festival Fight[edit | edit source]

As the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn attacks Oscorp's annual Unity Day street fair. He hurls a pumpkin bomb at a nearby hotel, causing part of the balcony to collapse. He then throws another bomb directly at the Oscorp Board of Directors, killing them to prevent the company's sellout to Quest Aerospace. Spider-Man intervenes, fighting off the Green Goblin and saving the civilians. Despite being bested in the fight, the Green Goblin warns Spider-Man that their paths will cross again.

"Out Am I"[edit | edit source]

The day after the Unity Day attack, Norman becomes fully aware of the Green Goblin's presence within his mind. Confronting his reflection, he discovers that the Goblin is his alter ego, created by the serum-induced accident in the laboratory. Horrified by the realization that he was responsible for the deaths of the Oscorp board members and other crimes, Norman is manipulated by the Goblin into believing they can achieve power by working together and eliminating Spider-Man.

As the Green Goblin, he attacks the Daily Bugle offices, threatening J. Jonah Jameson to reveal the identity of the photographer taking Spider-Man's photos. However, Jameson refuses to give up Peter Parker, protecting him.

Spider-Man arrives to confront the Goblin, but the villain uses a sleep-inducing gas to incapacitate him. The Green Goblin then catches the unconscious Spider-Man and takes him to a nearby rooftop. There, he offers Spider-Man a partnership, suggesting they work together to rule the city. Before leaving, he warns Spider-Man that the city will eventually turn against him. The Goblin's prediction seems validated as the Daily Bugle begins painting Spider-Man as a criminal, calling for his arrest.

Finding Out Peter Parker is Spider-Man[edit | edit source]

A few days later, during Thanksgiving, the Green Goblin sets an apartment building on fire to lure Spider-Man. When Spider-Man arrives, the Goblin again offers a partnership, which Spider-Man refuses. The two engage in a fierce battle, with the Green Goblin using his razor bats to gain a temporary upper hand. One of the bats injures Spider-Man, leaving a deep cut on his arm. Despite this, Spider-Man manages to hold his own in hand-to-hand combat before escaping, leaving the Goblin furious over Spider-Man's continued defiance.

Later that day, both Norman Osborn and Peter Parker are due at Peter and Harry's loft for Thanksgiving dinner. Norman arrives as himself, while Peter rushes in late, trying to conceal his injuries. However, Norman notices the fresh blood on Peter's sleeve and deduces that Peter is Spider-Man.

Disturbed by this revelation, Norman abruptly leaves the dinner, but not before insulting Harry's girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. This leads to an argument between Harry and Mary Jane, with her leaving in anger after Harry fails to defend her against his father.

Back at his mansion, Norman debates with the Green Goblin persona. While Norman initially hesitates to harm Peter, the Goblin insists that Spider-Man must be stopped. They devise a plan to target Peter's loved ones, intending to distract and weaken him emotionally to secure victory.

The Bridge Fight[edit | edit source]

That night, the Green Goblin intensifies his campaign against Spider-Man by attacking Aunt May at her home, leaving her hospitalized. Learning from Harry, who had broken up with Mary Jane, that Peter's deepest feelings are for Mary Jane, the Goblin decides to strike at Peter through her. He kidnaps Mary Jane from her home and sabotages a trolley car full of children on the Roosevelt Bridge.

When Spider-Man arrives, the Green Goblin gives him a sadistic choice: save Mary Jane or the trolley car's passengers. He drops both simultaneously, but Spider-Man manages to save them with the help of a passing barge and supportive pedestrians who pelt the Goblin with debris, delaying his attack. Furious that Spider-Man has outwitted him again and that the citizens side with the hero, the Green Goblin seizes Spider-Man with a cable cord and drags him to an abandoned smallpox hospital to ensure no interference.

Inside the hospital, Spider-Man crashes through a wall, and the Green Goblin throws a pumpkin bomb at him, severely injuring and disorienting him. As the Goblin confronts the now unmasked and struggling Spider-Man, he taunts Peter for refusing his earlier proposal to join forces. The fight begins with Goblin intercepting Peter's block and delivering devastating blows, exploiting Peter's injuries and exhaustion.

The Green Goblin seems to have the upper hand, brutally beating Peter and mocking him. When he threatens Mary Jane, describing her impending death in cruel detail, Peter's rage reignites. Regaining his strength and focus, Spider-Man intercepts the Goblin's attempt to stab him with a trident, throwing him against a brick wall in a fit of fury. Using his webbing and sheer determination, Spider-Man hurls the Goblin around, demolishes part of the wall onto him, and continues his relentless assault.

Finally, the Green Goblin, now dazed and overpowered, drops his weapon. In a moment of vulnerability, Norman Osborn reveals his identity to Peter, begging him to stop. Peter, shocked to discover that the Green Goblin is Norman, hesitates, leaving him momentarily conflicted.

Continuing his deception, Norman pleads with Peter, claiming that it was the serum and his evil alter ego that drove him to crime. While feigning remorse, he secretly maneuvers his jet glider, aiming to stab Spider-Man from behind. Norman attempts to manipulate Peter further, saying he has always seen him as a son and asking for a hug. Peter, however, resolutely rejects this, declaring that his true father figure was his late Uncle Ben.

Enraged by Peter's defiance, the Green Goblin drops the act, fully revealing his malicious intent. As the glider hurtles toward Spider-Man, Peter's regained spider-sense alerts him just in time, and he leaps out of the way. The glider instead strikes Norman, fatally impaling him. Both Norman and the Green Goblin succumb to the injuries, unable to stop the collision.

As Norman bleeds out, he reverts to his sincere self and, with his dying breath, begs Peter not to reveal his crimes to Harry. Norman dies shortly afterward, leaving Peter burdened by the weight of the tragedy.

Spider-Man carries Norman's body back to his penthouse apartment, where he returns the Goblin gear to its hidden lair and places Norman's body on a sofa. However, Harry arrives at the scene and, upon finding Spider-Man with Norman's lifeless body, misinterprets the situation and vows vengeance against the wall-crawler.

At Norman's funeral, Harry expresses his gratitude to Peter for being a loyal friend, while secretly vowing to avenge his father's death by destroying Spider-Man. Peter, devastated by the loss and the misunderstanding, silently commits himself to upholding his responsibility as Spider-Man, despite the personal sacrifices it demands.

Spider-Man 2 & 3[edit | edit source]

Two years after the death of Norman Osborn, his legacy and influence continue to haunt the lives of those closest to him, particularly Peter Parker and Harry Osborn. The strain on Peter and Harry’s friendship grows as Harry becomes increasingly bitter, blaming Spider-Man for his father's death and resenting Peter for refusing to reveal Spider-Man’s identity, despite Peter’s frequent work photographing Spider-Man for The Daily Bugle.

Following Norman’s demise, Harry assumes control of Oscorp’s Research Department and funds Dr. Otto Octavius’s ambitious fusion energy project. However, when Otto’s experiment goes awry, transforming him into Doctor Octopus, Harry’s professional reputation suffers among Oscorp's board members. Harry's obsession with avenging his father leads him to strike a deal with Doctor Octopus, offering him tritium in exchange for Spider-Man’s capture. Upon discovering Spider-Man’s true identity as Peter Parker, Harry is shocked but ultimately allows Peter to rescue Mary Jane, prioritizing her safety over revenge.

Norman’s lingering influence manifests as a hallucination, appearing to Harry in mirrors and urging him to avenge his death. This spectral presence mirrors the dynamic of King Hamlet and Prince Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play, with Norman goading Harry into seeking vengeance. Initially, Harry resists, calling into question his father’s morality. In frustration, Harry shatters a mirror, inadvertently revealing Norman’s secret Goblin lair and the truth about his dual identity.

By 2005, Norman’s hallucination resurfaces, successfully manipulating Harry into becoming the New Goblin. Donning his father’s gear and glider, Harry attacks Peter, but a fight leaves Harry incapacitated and suffering amnesia, temporarily erasing his vendetta. As Harry's memories resurface, Norman's hallucination returns, this time convincing Harry to "strike at Peter’s heart." Under his father’s influence, Harry manipulates Mary Jane into breaking up with Peter and falsely claims to be her new lover, further deepening Peter’s pain.

In a climactic confrontation, Harry battles Peter, now wearing the corrupted symbiote Spider-Man suit. Enhanced by the symbiote, Peter defeats Harry, leaving him disfigured when a deflected pumpkin bomb explodes near his face. However, Harry’s butler, Bernard, later reveals that Norman’s wounds were self-inflicted by his glider, exonerating Spider-Man. This revelation prompts Harry to abandon his vendetta and reconcile with Peter.

In a redemptive act, Harry aids Peter in a battle against Sandman and Venom. Though mortally wounded in the process, Harry dies heroically, forgiving Peter and bringing closure to their strained friendship.

Years later, Peter reflects on the tragedy of Norman’s downfall and wonders if creating an Anti-Goblin Serum could have saved him, hinting at Peter's enduring sense of responsibility and guilt over the Osborn family's fate.

Spider-Man: No Way Home[edit | edit source]

In Spider-Man: No Way Home, an alternate version of Norman Osborn, along with his Green Goblin persona, is transported into the MCU's universe in 2024 due to a spell cast by Doctor Strange. This spell, meant to make everyone in the MCU forget that Peter Parker was Spider-Man, malfunctioned when Peter altered its parameters, pulling individuals from across the Multiverse who knew Spider-Man's identity into the MCU.

This variant of Norman Osborn is taken from a point in his timeline before his death during the events of his final battle with his universe's Spider-Man. However, he arrives still under the influence of his Green Goblin persona. Initially, the Green Goblin asserts dominance, attacking the MCU Spider-Man and another Multiverse variant, Doctor Octopus, before they are teleported away. Confused and lost in a New York City unfamiliar to him, Norman eventually regains control of his mind from the Goblin, leaving him frightened and disoriented.

Realizing the potential for destruction the Green Goblin could unleash in this new universe, Norman seeks to separate himself from his malevolent alter ego. He retreats to a secluded alleyway, where he abandons his iconic glider and sets down his Goblin mask. However, the Green Goblin’s voice resurfaces, taunting and berating Norman for what he perceives as weakness and cowardice. The Goblin insists they have "a new world to conquer" and mocks Norman's attempts to resist, declaring that he cannot escape his true nature.

Distraught and desperate, Norman smashes the Goblin mask in defiance of his alter ego, shattering it in the alleyway. Despite this act of resistance, the Green Goblin’s influence lingers, as evidenced by his laughter echoing in Norman’s mind as he flees. This moment marks a pivotal conflict between Norman’s genuine remorse and the Goblin's unrelenting malevolence, setting the stage for further chaos in the MCU.

Norman Osborn's variant meets the MCU Peter Parker and his allies after escaping from the Green Goblin’s control. Seeking refuge, Norman finds an advertisement for F.E.A.S.T. and heads there, hoping to find his universe's Spider-Man. At F.E.A.S.T., he meets May Parker, who offers him food, coffee, and new clothes to disguise his Green Goblin armor. When the MCU Peter Parker arrives, Norman realizes that this Peter is not the one from his universe.

Norman explains his predicament, sharing that Oscorp and his son Harry do not exist in this world, and his home is occupied by strangers. He reveals that he struggles with a split identity, describing the Green Goblin as a separate persona who takes control, leaving him with no memory of his actions. His panic subsides as May and Peter assure him they will help.

After learning he is in another universe, Norman accompanies Peter to the New York Sanctum, where he meets Peter’s friends, Ned and MJ. Mistaking MJ for Mary Jane Watson, Norman is surprised to learn that her initials stand for Michelle Jones. Norman then encounters other displaced villains from alternate universes, including Doctor Octopus, Sandman, Electro, and Lizard.

Norman is particularly shocked to see Otto Octavius and recognizes him as a friend from his own universe. However, Otto refers to Norman as a "walking corpse" and reveals that Norman had died years ago in their timeline. This revelation stuns Norman, as Sandman confirms Otto's claim and shares that he, too, had died in his universe. Norman grows increasingly concerned about returning to his timeline, fearing the consequences of his death on his son, Harry.

When Doctor Strange attempts to send the villains back to their respective universes, Norman pleads with the MCU Peter for help. Hearing his plea, Peter intervenes, imprisoning Strange in the Mirror Dimension. Norman offers his scientific expertise to help cure himself and the other villains of their afflictions, recalling a line he had spoken in his own universe: “I’m something of a scientist myself.” Peter agrees, and with May's help, they take the villains to work on solutions to their conditions.

Norman’s cooperation seems genuine at this point, though the lingering presence of the Green Goblin foreshadows further chaos.

When Norman, still free of the Green Goblin’s influence, arrives at the MCU Peter Parker’s friend’s apartment, he is amazed by the advanced technology of the MCU. He collaborates with MCU Peter to create a new neural inhibitor chip for Otto Octavius, aiming to restore his higher brain functions and free him from the control of his tentacles. During this time, Norman expresses admiration for MCU Peter’s intelligence and skill, even jokingly offering him a job at Oscorp if interdimensional commuting were an option.

After successfully helping restore Otto’s mind, Norman begins drafting cures for the other villains. However, his cooperation is short-lived. MCU Peter’s Spider-Sense alerts him to the Green Goblin’s return. Once confronted, the Goblin taunts Peter, reveals his ongoing control over Norman, and manipulates the uncured villains into turning against Peter. This results in a brutal fight where the Green Goblin overpowers the MCU Spider-Man and escapes after fatally wounding May Parker with his glider. The loss of May devastates Peter, driving him into a vengeful rage.

Later, during the climactic battle at the Statue of Liberty, the Green Goblin sabotages the spell box, causing a multiversal fracture. He battles the MCU Spider-Man once more, this time facing an enraged Peter who nearly kills him. However, the Norman Osborn of the Raimiverse (Peter-Two’s world) intervenes, stopping MCU Peter from repeating the tragic mistake of letting vengeance consume him.

The Green Goblin, in a last-ditch effort, stabs Peter-Two in the back but is ultimately subdued when the Webbverse Peter (Peter-Three) throws an antiserum to MCU Peter. MCU Peter injects the serum, neutralizing the Green Goblin’s alter ego and freeing Norman from its influence.

A guilt-stricken Norman is horrified by the harm he caused while under the Goblin’s control. Before the multiverse cracks worsen, Doctor Strange casts a new spell to make everyone forget the MCU Peter Parker’s existence. The cured Norman, along with the other villains and the alternate Spider-Men, is returned to his universe, now free of the Green Goblin's corruption, with his fate altered and a chance for redemption.

Powers and Statistics[edit | edit source]

Tier: 8-C, higher with glider blades, up to High 8-C with missiles

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Martial Arts, Weapon Mastery, Acrobatics (Front flipped a fair distance forwards. Performed a spinning flip into the air to knock an ascending Spider-Man down), Enhanced Senses (Could hear a drop of blood fall onto a wooden floor), Explosion Manipulation (Pumpkin Bombs and Missiles), Sleep Inducement (Can project Sleeping Gas from his gauntlets), Flight (With his Glider),

Attack Potency: Building level+ (Shouldn't be overwhelmingly weaker than his son Harry, who took the serum in its entirety compared to Norman's procedure being stopped mid-way. Injured a younger Spider-Man in a fight where both smashed through floors as if it was nothing), higher with glider blades (Cut one of Doctor Octopus' tentacles), up to Large Building level with missiles (Capable of blowing up a bunker and creating large explosions)

Speed: Massively Hypersonic+ combat and reaction speed (Kept up with the Spider-Man from his universe in all of their battles. Managed to avoid and land a few attacks on an enraged alternate Spider-Man, albeit being overwhelmed ultimately)

Lifting Strength: Class M (Shouldn't be overwhelmingly weaker than his son)

Striking Strength: Building level+

Durability: Building level+ (Shouldn't be overwhelmingly weaker than his son, who can survive a Pumpkin Bomb explosion up close), higher for his Glider (Stayed intact after the explosion of two Pumpkin Bombs within it, though this did disable its flight functions)

Stamina: Superhuman

Standard Equipment: Goblin Armor, Safety Goggles, Glider with a built-in weapon arsenal, Pumpkin Bombs, blades, a trident

Range: Standard Melee Range, Several Meters with Pumpkin Bombs, Hundreds of Meters with rockets

Intelligence: Genius (Is a brilliant scientist who built his company Oscorp by applying his scientific genius to developing military equipment. Relies on his cunning nature in combination with his powers and equipment to be an especially dangerous opponent)

Weaknesses: Mentally unstable and greedy

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Appearances Across the Trilogy: The Green Goblin appears in all three films of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, albeit as illusions in the second and third films.
  • Same Actor in Different Franchises: Willem Dafoe is one of the few actors to reprise the same role (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin) in different Spider-Man film franchises, returning in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
  • Comic Origin of the Goblin Formula: In the original comics, Norman's transformation into the Green Goblin is caused by his son, Harry, tampering with the Goblin Formula out of spite for his father’s emotional neglect. The unstable formula exploded in Norman's face, leaving him hospitalized for a week.
  • Costume Evolution: In Raimi's series, Norman wore full green armor and a Goblin mask. In No Way Home, his attire was loosely inspired by Alex Ross’s unused 2002 design, incorporating a tattered purple hoodie, a brown satchel, and black goggles (taken from Doctor Octopus) in place of his broken helmet.
  • Spider-Man Movie Game Differences: In the Spider-Man video game adaptation, the Green Goblin's death is less graphic—he is impaled in the stomach by his glider but shows no visible injuries and falls to the ground. He also has a final line apologizing to Harry before his death.
  • MIT Prodigy: Norman was the youngest graduate of MIT, completing his degree at the age of 18.
  • Design Influence: The Green Goblin's mask resembles the head of Jet Jaguar, a character from the Godzilla universe.
  • Foreshadowing Through Props: In Harry's apartment in Raimi's trilogy, there is a mug featuring a young Mao Zedong, potentially a subtle nod to the Osborns' morally questionable nature. The mug, likely a collectible from Norman’s travels, parallels his collection of masks and hints at his and/or Harry’s descent into villainy.

Theme[edit | edit source]