Following the release of the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer, the rumors surrounding the film have still gone unanswered. The first trailer did provide a number of exciting details about the next spidey installment, but it's not enough to overcome some of the film's biggest rumors.
Perhaps the most anticipated rumors surrounding Spider-Man: No Way Home are the anticipated appearances of former Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. With no sightings of them in trailer one, Marvel fans eagerly wait to find out if the rumors will be true or if they've given themselves expectations that are far too high. While no date for a second trailer has been set, the window for its next teaser is quickly approaching.
Eternals (which will be released one month ahead of No Way Home) released its first trailer in May. Three months later, a second trailer emerged. If No Way Home sticks to this timeline, a second trailer has the potential to arrive in November. The theatrical release of Eternals at the start of the month may be the perfect place for Marvel to debut a stunning new trailer for its third spidey installment. The rumors surrounding No Way Home have already helped make it one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. Its first trailer received a record-shattering 355.5 million views across all platforms in a 24-hour period. A second trailer that built on the content of the first could potentially break the already impressive record No Way Home has set.
With the hype surrounding No Way Home, the Spider-Man film doesn't need to bait viewers into the theatres, so there's no shame in laying their cards out on the table. Trailer one already confirmed the return of Alfred Molina, who played Doctor Ock in Maguire's second Spider-Man film. Many have chosen to take Molina's involvement as confirmation that Maguire will appear in No Way Home. Their reasoning for this is also included in the trailer. In it, Doctor Octopus graces the screen with a chilling "Hello Peter." Fans have argued that the Peter Doc Ock is referring to can't be Tom Holland's version of the hero, as he wouldn't be familiar with him. Instead, they have chosen to believe that Molina would only greet Maguire with such familiarity.
Joining Doc Ock are the pumpkin bombs made famous by Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin. In the background is the sound of the Goblin-like laugh that adds yet another Maguire villain to the roster. Jamie Foxx is also expected to reprise his role as Electro and if he does, it would make sense for Garfield to accompany him. With the theory many fans have formulated about Doc Ock's relation to Maguire, Garfield would need to appear opposite of Foxx.
Since rumors have begun to circulate, Garfield has remained firm in his denial of being involved in No Way Home. When asked about what appeared to be a leaked set photo that would've proved Garfield was on set, Garfield passed the image off as a classic case of photoshop. Maguire has contrasted Garfield's behavior, as many fans have revealed that Maguire has subtly confirmed his involvement in No Way Home in subtle interactions with him. It is possible that Maguire is involved in No Way Home and that Garfield isn't or that one of them is lying. Whether Maguire nor Garfield are in it or they both are, one of them isn't telling the truth. With Marvel's reputation of keeping things under lock and key, the studio has yet to confirm or deny the involvement of any stars outside of Molina.
Should Maguire and Garfield both appear in No Way Home along with their own collection of villains, Holland has the potential to get lost in the mix. Holland will already be joined by his typical Spider-Man costars in addition to Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange. If No Way Home were to only consist of villains that have nothing to do with Holland, it'll be hard for him to use No Way Home as a concrete building block of his own reputation as the MCU's Spider-Man. The trailer has already revealed that the plot will deal with Peter asking Doctor Strange for help in getting the world to forget the true identity of Spider-Man. Due to Marvel's current tampering with the Multiverse, something doesn't go according to plan, and havoc is unleashed upon New York. Therefore Holland is set up well in the first trailer but the inclusion of previous Spider-Mans could affect this. Only the reveal or premiere of the film will be able to test how the film divides screentime.
If Marvel confirms the appearance of Maguire, Garfield, and their assortment of villains in addition to introducing any that pertain solely to Holland, it gives viewers stronger incentives to tune into the film. The idea of multiple generations of Spider-Man making an appearance in one film is already mind-blowing to so many. Those worried about the film not living up to the hype would have an idea of what to expect if Marvel reveals (or at the very least, intensely teases) the secrets they are withholding. If any of the rumors are confirmed, even in the slightest bit, Marvel could pull any skeptical viewers into the theatre.
Spider-Man: No Way Home will premiere in theatres on December 17, 2021.