Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse may be the best superhero movie of recent memory, so its sequel was a foregone conclusion. There are literally infinite ways the series can expand, but one element that the series will have to build on is its fun remixes of classic Spider-Man villains.
Spider-Verse is a crossover spectacular that weaves together aspects from six disparate universes, all set in a single universe different from our own. This means every major character fans would recognize from comics or previous films is reimagined for Miles' reality or jumped in from another alternate reality, creating all-new characters in the mold of classic comic heroes and villains.
In Spider-Verse, fans are introduced to new versions of six classic Spider-Man villains, some more central than others. Miles' uncle's alter ego Prowler appears, as he is integral to Miles' storyline he is a complex character. Kingpin is the centerpiece, appearing largely identical to his comic book version and causing the events that force the universe crossover. Doctor Octopus becomes Doctor Olivia Octavious, now a woman and a powerful CEO of a corrupt company. Tombstone is also comparable to the original depiction, a monochrome gangster demoted to henchman for Kingpin. The Green Goblin is now a massive winged beast. The Scorpion shifts from a man wearing a tailed suit of power armor to a cyborg with four robotic legs, a robotic claw, and a massive stinger. These villains, aside from Prowler, all find themselves jailed at the conclusion of the film, meaning their reappearance is not out of the question, but new villains will almost certainly join in.
The origin of these villains vary, some are essentially unchanged from their default, others, like Green Goblin, are heavily inspired by alternate comic dimensions, and still others, like Doc Ock, are created wholly for the film. Future sequels will likely replicate that concept, taking from multiple sources and reinventing some enemies entirely for the movie series. The many representatives of Spider-Man's rogue gallery who have yet to appear could show up looking completely unrecognizable or in a never-before-seen form, which keeps the films exciting.
The first Spider-Verse played with some of the biggest villains of the franchise, but also brought in more obscure talent. Tombstone and Scorpion both make their first-ever big-screen appearance in the film. With this in mind, other villains who never made it to the movies should be considered. A perfect example of this would be Kraven the Hunter. Kraven is a vicious trophy hunter who uses traps and cunning to prove himself an apex predator. He has been a fixture of the comics since the '60s and he is the centerpiece of Kraven's Last Hunt, one of the most iconic Spider-Man stories. He has numerous versions which could be intriguing, including his Ultimate iteration, which is a genetically modified feral monster.
Conversely, one of the best enemies from a previous movie could make a reappearance after his first film didn't fully work out. Spider-Man 3 was kind of a mess, but the best scene is the birth of classic comics villain Sandman. Sandman, AKA Flint Marko is a criminal who is composed of sand, capable of reshaping his sand-based form into weaponry or dissolving to escape any situation. Though typically a minor antagonist or a henchman, Sandman is a compelling visual presence with a very strong power and his addition would add a ton to action scenes in an animated film. Bringing the character back to the screen might give him a chance to shine apart from the lackluster project he first appeared in.
A few villains who did not appear in the film were actually teased in brief easter eggs. The first scene in Spider-Man's hidden base shows off a web linking Kingpin to a variety of other criminals, some of which didn't make the cut. These include Shocker, Hammerhead, and The Rose. Shocker is a b-list villain who uses shockwave-causing gauntlets to commit property crime. Hammerhead is a mobster with an indestructible metal skull. The first film structured its adversaries with a couple of main threats and a handful of henchmen, so these two could certainly pop up in that role.
Rose is the most intriguing. He's a masked gang leader who, in his first appearance, is Kingpin's son. Kingpin's son and wife are dead in the main Spider-Verse reality, but another version could certainly emerge given the plot of the film. This would be a very fascinating continuation of the film's themes, Miles learning from his father and his mentor Peter to be a hero just as Kingpin's son learned to be a monster, possibly even learning from Miles the importance of finding his own path. Though this might be a retread in some ways, it could also be a thematic link between the films that carries the story forward.
Spider-Verse 2 is one of the most hotly anticipated films in the genre right now, and its villains will likely be as exciting as the first film's. Whoever steps up to challenge Miles Morales and his Spider friends, fans will be thrilled to see what comes next for this franchise.