Spider-Man is credited with elevating the comic book movie genre by introducing a level of psychological complexity, theatricality, and genuine menace previously unseen. His return in Spider-Man: No Way Home cemented his legacy, bridging cinematic eras and reinforcing his character's status as Spider-Man's most personal and dangerous foe.
Willem Dafoe's journey to becoming the Green Goblin is a seminal moment in the history of superhero casting. When director Sam Raimi was developing the first installment of his Spider-Man trilogy in the early 2000s, the role of Norman Osborn was highly sought after. Other prominent actors were considered, but Dafoe actively pursued the part. He was drawn not to the supervillain archetype, but to the profound duality of Norman Osborn—the conflict between the well-intentioned-but-driven scientist and the cackling, anarchic demon born from the Goblin Formula.
Dafoe famously filmed an audition tape in his hotel room, demonstrating the rapid, terrifying physical and vocal transformation from Osborn to the Goblin, which reportedly sealed the deal for the producers. His casting brought a level of gravitas and critical acclaim to the project, signaling that this film would treat its villain with as much seriousness and depth as its hero.
A key aspect of Dafoe's commitment was his insistence on performing his own stunts and wearing the often-uncomfortable Green Goblin suit. While a stunt double was used for the most dangerous sequences, Dafoe personally filmed the majority of his scenes in the armor. He felt it was essential for the performance's authenticity, allowing him to embody the character's physicality fully. This dedication was a crucial factor in the character's menacing on-screen presence and set a precedent for actor involvement in the burgeoning superhero genre. His casting is now widely regarded as one of the most perfect and impactful in comic book movie history.
For nearly two decades, Dafoe's portrayal was considered a complete and legendary chapter. The character's definitive death at the end of Spider-Man (2002) seemed to preclude any return. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's exploration of the Multiverse created an unprecedented opportunity.
The development of spider-man_no_way_home centered on a botched spell by doctor_strange that pulled individuals from other universes who knew Peter Parker's identity as Spider-Man into the MCU. This premise provided the perfect narrative vehicle to bring back iconic villains from previous film series. Dafoe's return was one of the most closely guarded secrets in Hollywood. He famously described arriving on set under a cloak to avoid drones and leaks.
His decision to return was contingent on having a substantial role, not just a glorified cameo or a CGI-only performance. He wanted to explore the character further and be an active participant in the action. The writers and director jon_watts eagerly agreed, crafting an arc that not only honored his original performance but expanded upon it. Dafoe's return was not merely nostalgic; he was positioned as the film's primary antagonist, the ideologically dominant villain who corrupts the others and drives the central conflict, ultimately leading to the story's most tragic moment. This comeback was met with universal praise, with many critics and fans stating his performance was even more terrifying and nuanced than his original outing.
The genius of Willem Dafoe's performance lies in his masterful portrayal of a fractured psyche. He plays two distinct characters who share one body, often transitioning between them in a single, seamless take.
Dafoe's Norman Osborn is a man of immense ambition, intelligence, and pressure. He's a brilliant scientist and a demanding father, desperate to secure a military contract to save his company, oscorp. Dafoe infuses him with a palpable sense of anxiety and desperation. He is not evil, but his hubris and his willingness to use himself as a human test subject are the seeds of his downfall. After his exposure to the unstable performance-enhancing gas, the “Green Goblin” persona is born.
This is not simply Norman becoming evil; it's a new, separate personality clawing its way to the surface. Dafoe's most iconic scenes are the “mirror conversations,” where Norman argues with his sinister alter ego. In these moments, Dafoe's face contorts, his voice shifts in pitch and cadence, and his entire physicality changes without cuts or digital effects. He portrays Norman as a terrified victim trapped in his own mind, horrified by the Goblin's actions, while the Goblin is a creature of pure id—sadistic, manipulative, and liberated from all morality.
In Spider-Man: No Way Home, this duality is explored even further. When he first arrives in the MCU, Norman is disoriented, amnesiac, and seemingly cured. He is a pathetic, sympathetic figure, and Dafoe plays him with a heartbreaking vulnerability. This makes the Goblin's eventual re-emergence all the more horrific. The film frames the Goblin not just as a persona, but as a disease that Norman is desperately trying to fight. The Goblin's core philosophy—that great power is a burden to be shed, not a responsibility to be borne—is a direct thematic assault on Spider-Man's entire ethos. The Goblin doesn't just want to kill Spider-Man; he wants to break him by proving his worldview is a naive lie.
Dafoe's performance is intensely physical. As Norman, his movements are precise and controlled. As the Goblin, he becomes almost feral. Even under the static mask in the 2002 film, Dafoe's body language conveys a sense of gleeful chaos. His head tilts, his gestures are broad and theatrical, and he moves with a predatory grace.
His voice is perhaps his most powerful tool. Norman's voice is calm, though often strained with worry. The Goblin's voice is a high-pitched, menacing cackle that has become legendary. It's a sound that combines intelligence with utter insanity. Dafoe's ability to modulate between these two voices is astonishing. One of the most terrifying moments in No Way Home occurs when a seemingly cured Norman is speaking to May Parker, and the Goblin's voice subtly bleeds through, signaling the impending doom. The chilling line, “Strong enough to have it all… too weak to take it!”, is delivered with a venomous snarl that completely overtakes the gentle Norman persona.
In No Way Home, Dafoe spends significant time unmasked, allowing his expressive face to do the work. The film makes a meta-textual point of having him smash the original 2002 mask, with the Goblin declaring they are “done with that.” This unleashes Dafoe's full acting potential, making the villain feel more raw, personal, and terrifying than ever before. His wicked grin and piercing eyes become the new “mask.”
The original Green Goblin suit from Spider-Man (2002) was a source of both praise and controversy. Designed as an advanced military combat suit, it was a significant departure from the classic purple-and-green costume from the comics.
Upon arriving in the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Norman shatters his original helmet. His suit is also damaged during his first confrontation with Spider-Man. He later augments his look, creating a more practical and comic-accurate appearance.
As the Green Goblin, he has no true allies, only tools and pawns. His Norman Osborn persona, however, has key relationships.
No Way Home, Norman initially finds kinship with the other displaced villains. He is the first to accept Peter's offer of a cure. However, it is the Goblin persona that truly forms a “team.” The Goblin acts as the serpent in the garden, manipulating the other villains (particularly electro and sandman) by preying on their fears and desires, convincing them to reject the cure and take what they want by force. He becomes their de facto leader through sheer force of will and malevolence.The Green Goblin's entire purpose becomes the torment of Spider-Man, a conflict that transcends universes.
In his debut, Norman Osborn is introduced as a brilliant but stressed scientist. After exposing himself to his own experimental formula, the violent Green Goblin persona is born. The Goblin systematically eliminates his business rivals and then turns his attention to the new hero, Spider-Man. He tests the hero, trying to gauge his strength and, more importantly, his morality. After discovering Spider-Man's identity, the conflict becomes deeply personal. The Goblin's infamous “The heart, Osborn!” attack on Aunt May and the subsequent “Trolley Problem” where he forces Spider-Man to choose between saving Mary Jane Watson and a Roosevelt Island tram car full of children are defining moments. The final battle is a brutal, bare-knuckle brawl in an abandoned building. The Goblin, defeated, attempts one last gambit by remotely controlling his Glider to impale Spider-Man from behind. Peter's Spider-Sense allows him to dodge, and the Goblin is killed by his own weapon, a fitting end for a character destroyed by his own hubris.
Dafoe's Green Goblin is the first of the multiversal villains to appear, confronting the MCU's Spider-Man on a highway overpass. Initially, the disoriented and penitent Norman Osborn persona is in control, seeking help from Peter and May Parker at the F.E.A.S.T. center. However, the Goblin persona violently reasserts control, rejecting the cure Peter has developed. He convinces the other villains to fight back, leading to a devastating battle in Happy Hogan's apartment complex. In this fight, the Goblin proves to be more than a match for Spider-Man, brutally beating him before delivering the fatal blow to Aunt May with his Glider. Her death, and her final words about power and responsibility, become this Peter's “Uncle Ben” moment. The Goblin escapes and becomes the undisputed final boss of the film. In the final battle at the Statue of Liberty, he goads Peter, reveling in his pain. He pushes the MCU's Spider-Man to the point of murder, but Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man intervenes, having learned from his own past rage. The film ends with the MCU's Peter injecting Norman with the cure, finally and permanently purging the Goblin persona. The last we see of Norman is a look of horrified remorse before he is returned to his own universe.
Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin is not merely a popular villain; he is a foundational pillar of the modern superhero film. His performance in 2002 demonstrated that a comic book antagonist could be as compelling, complex, and layered as any character in dramatic cinema.
Spider-Man (2002), has become one of the most enduring and widely used internet memes of the 21st century. Its ubiquity is a testament to the film's cultural penetration and Dafoe's memorable delivery, cementing his performance in the popular consciousness far beyond the realm of comic book fans.No Way Home was more than fan service; it was a validation of his performance's enduring power. He seamlessly stepped back into the role after 19 years and was arguably even more menacing. His ability to stand as the primary antagonist against three different Spider-Men from different eras cemented his status as the ultimate cinematic Spider-Man villain. For many, Willem Dafoe is the Green Goblin, and his performance remains the definitive take on the character, unlikely to ever be surpassed.Spider-Man (2002), the Green Goblin suit was a complex 580-piece costume that took half an hour to put on.No Way Home, Dafoe performed many of his own fight scenes, just as he did in the original film. He insisted that the role be more than a simple cameo and wanted to be involved in the action sequences to ensure the character's physical threat was authentic.Spider-Man film, further solidifying his connection to the role.No Way Home was partly a creative one to allow Dafoe's facial expressions to be seen, a common critique of the original costume. Dafoe himself called the original helmet “a difficult thing to wear.” Spider-Man (2002), directed by Sam Raimi. Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), directed by Jon Watts.