Uh Oh! Introducing Gwen Stacy to the MCU After No Way Home is Going to Be Weird!
Spider-Man: No Way Home's Multiversal Mess: Why Gwen Stacy's Introduction is Awkward
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) was bonkers! Tom Holland's Spider-Man met his older, wiser variants—Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. That's insane. And they shared their experiences – this includes Garfield's heartbreaking tale about Gwen Stacy, that iconic character; including this deeply personal history surrounding his previous heartbreak and the profound effect that loving this special someone deeply had upon Garfield's Spider-Man. Now, how is Holland's Spider-Man supposed to handle his universe's Gwen Stacy?
Because Holland's Spidey knows Gwen's fate, the arrival of Gwen into the MCU timeline will bring a serious change of direction. Even with MJ's amnesia (a critical element that changes his current love's identity), introducing Gwen into the storyline is complicated. Holland's Spider-Man is now fully aware of the risks, even acknowledging some earlier possibilities involved which could negatively impact her; especially her eventual, untimely demise that is deeply impacted by how Garfield's Spider-Man developed.
Tom Holland's Spider-Man and Gwen Stacy: A Pre-Loaded Relationship?
This prior experience, learning that very specific information will have massive consequences for future development and create even more compelling possibilities in how future story development might function. It alters how Holland's Spidey interacts with anyone in his own reality. He’d already know the risks involved with Norman Osborn or Curt Connors! This is not news! The fact that Garfield also described the tragedy involving his past love-affair shows what kind of weight it already holds, creating an immediate sense of sadness in this context. But Gwen Stacy, the loss of this important woman, changes things, making a possible relationship inherently problematic! Why would this relationship even function when Holland’s character would know she has an inherent danger in knowing this very outcome and therefore how could Holland's Spider-Man approach a romance where there's a predisposition towards a foregone conclusion?
It is terribly unbalanced and this whole situation is unjust toward both Peter and Gwen! He is the only person to know that her future is directly tied to his choices; creating an immediate power imbalance. His choices have far-reaching consequences upon both her happiness and well-being; creating an even bigger challenge in having any kind of future relationship with her.
How Does the MCU Introduce Gwen Without Ruining Everything?
Holland's Spidey might entirely avoid Gwen, fearing a repeat of the tragedy that Garfield experienced in another timeline; further showing a reluctance that even goes beyond typical apprehension about love or personal risk that normally might not occur in this specific moment because there are many elements tied up within a much larger narrative around multiverse exploration, identity and self-discovery. The emotional wounds from losing Aunt May (another profound moment showing how devastating losses and grief can change this character) already heavily influenced him; showing the extent to which losing someone who is very important has profoundly impacted this specific protagonist; showing those intense consequences that will only enhance his own already existing apprehension surrounding future commitments and love. This greatly enhances why his approach regarding relationships and possible love will remain unchanged after all those difficulties. He’s way too sensitive about harming those close to him – why take the risk?
Yet there's a different plotline to explore. He meets Gwen at college. Initially avoidance; she breaks through that cautious approach; and maybe, just maybe, that’s how a relationship might develop. A compelling storyline that could result in profound growth for Peter; showing a maturation and accepting of how even painful sacrifices sometimes create long-term benefits which must be remembered throughout that arc. A chance for Peter’s character to change!
Resetting the Clock (Maybe?): A Reboot or Multiverse Mishaps
If this really impacts everything then future stories for Spider-Man are fundamentally altered! The ending to No Way Home reset everything. Peter's secret's safe. He’s not connected to Stark tech; he is independent. And those friends— those closest people around him don’t know about that side of Peter's identity; this entire reset makes it easier to reintroduce many characters into the plot; that’s where many expect Gwen Stacy, or others like Harry and others might just arrive.
They're even discussing a potential MCU reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars. Introducing Gwen then is far simpler. The knowledge Holland's Spider-Man possessed prior is removed from consideration. Those initial awkward aspects, those moments showing Peter's apprehension in making his key decisions are therefore gone. This allows an entirely different kind of story and therefore opens other very compelling creative and narrative possibilities.
But for now; they're bringing back Zendaya as MJ . So maybe Peter confesses his secret; MJ returns; this may even introduce another MJ; multiple possible relationships already hinted at throughout those previously published articles and statements; it is clear the production remains keen on returning various individuals and therefore showing how complex this character truly is.
Conclusion: Gwen Stacy's Arrival Remains Highly Anticipated, Yet Questionable
Introducing Gwen Stacy after No Way Home is complicated! That changed storyline leaves those previous events very important and creates various unexpected consequences from every conceivable perspective. Avoiding this earlier moment of awkwardness could however deliver those moments and relationships that audiences have always demanded; creating a surprising twist on how this particular character finally shows up! The potential issues are very real–but also potentially exciting. Those narrative possibilities still remain largely untapped and it is likely what audiences desire to see next from Marvel.
