10 villains we'd like to see in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 DLC and beyond

It's been less than a year since Marvel's Spider-Man 2 was launched for the PS5. But while we might still be far from the next chapter in the franchise, that won't stop us from looking at what the future may hold. So far, we've seen a fair share of big-name villains ranging from Doctor Octopus all the way to Venom. Beloved Spider-Man characters such as Sandman, Scorpion, Vulture, and Rhino have all made an appearance in Insomniac's franchise. So with that in mind, it's time to ask: who else could join that amazing roster of villains?

Part of the reason Marvel's Spider-Man for PS4 was so memorable was due to its portrayal of Martin Li and Otto Octavius. On the contrary, its sequel was heavily criticized for how short the Venom arc was. A villain's role in a story is always important, and it can dramatically affect the overall enjoyment of a video game. So if Insomniac hopes to blow the roof off with a DLC or a brand new title, they have to choose their next antagonist very carefully. Fortunately, there are some good options out there that could push Spider-Man to his limit. So it's time to break down ten villains we hope to see next in the Marvel's Spider-Man universe.

10. Morlun

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 featured a side mission in which Peter and Miles had to collect mysterious spider-bots that appeared out of nowhere. Each bot represented a multiversal arachnic hero, such as Peni Parker, Miguel O'Hara, Spider-UK, and more. More importantly; players are treated to a rather multiversal surprise when the side quest is finally completed. A portal opens on a wall, and we see Delilah on the other side; a character that was initially intentionally meant to appear in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse but got cut.

While that easter egg is exciting in itself, it could hint towards something even bigger. What if Insomniac is building towards a multiversal crossover? After all, we knew they were working on Spider-Man: The Great Web - a canceled multiplayer videogame that would've allowed players to control many spider-heroes. But even if the game never sees the light of day, perhaps they could still look to follow the spider-bot storyline in a DLC or another future project. So that raises the question: What villain could be strong enough to face the wrath of multiple Spider-Men? Well, perhaps we can look to comic books to find that answer.

Morlun was the main antagonist of the Spider-Verse comic book storyline. He's a vampire that feeds on Spider-Totems to survive. As such, he's been hunting many versions of the wall-crawler throughout the multiverse, leaving a trail of blood and bodies behind. Maybe we could see an adaptation of that story in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 DLC or a brand-new game in the franchise. And if that turns out to be the case, then Morlun has to make an appearance no matter what.

9. Spot

If Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse proved anything, is that Spot can certainly be worthy of the spotlight. While Dr. Johnathon Ohnn isn't one of Spider-Man's most popular villains, he could make for fantastic gameplay mechanics in a video game. So, of course, Insomniac shouldn't let that opportunity go to waste.

There's a brief chase sequence in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 where Miles attempts to stop Black Cat after she stole a wand from the Sanctum Sanctorum. Felicia uses the mystical artifact to open multiple portals and briefly transport our friendly neighborhood hero to Antarctica before the chase resumes in New York. While it was a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, it also felt completely different from anything else in the game. So on that same page, the Spot could allow for mind-bending set pieces that no other villain could replicate.

Thanks to the PS5's SSD, new environments can be loaded almost instantly with barely any loading time. So a fight against Spot could quickly transport you from one part of New York City to the bottom of the Ocean and later to the inside of the Daily Bugle. Possibilities are endless and - better yet - Spot could also use its powers to break the Kingpin out of prison (as the teleporting villain worked for Wilson Fisk in the comics). So it wouldn't be just a gameplay thing, but he could also have big repercussions in the story. It's a win-win scenario!

8. Hydro-Man

Remember how Marvel's Spider-Man 2 kicked things off with a bang in the form of an epic fight against Sandman? It was an amazing way to start the game, but how do you ever top that? What other villain could match the over-the-top spectacle that Flint Marko can deliver when he turns into a giant monster? Well, perhaps Morris Bench could fill that void.

Granted, a fight against a giant Hydro-Man could feel a little derivative of Sandman's encounter. But it would also be a technical marvel that could push the PS5 (or a potential PS6?) to its limit. Besides, aside from the Lizard chase sequence in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, there have been next to no set pieces involving water in some capacity throughout the Insomniac franchise. So that mistake could be rectified with a boss fight against Hydro-Man in the sewers. Or perhaps they can even go the extra mile by flooding a great section of the city greatly changing the New York map that has been used in three games so far.

Hydro-Man doesn't need to be treated as a main villain with his own deep storyline. He can be used to either give players an over-the-top fight once again at the beginning of the next game or to fill the map with side activities. But whatever the case; he'd be an awesome villain to face.

7. Knull

There were many references to Knull throughout the events of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Most notably; his twisted spiral logo was engraved everywhere. From the meteorite that transported the symbiote to Earth, to the faces of symbiote-infected goons. But even if his presence was felt in the game's campaign, players haven't had a chance to see him... yet.

If the God of Symbiotes truly exists in Insomniac's universe, then he should be aware of the symbiote invasion that occurred on Earth (perhaps he was the mastermind behind it in the first place). And if that's the case, he could attempt to get revenge on both Spider-Men for stopping Venom from taking over the world.

The symbiote storyline in Marvel's Spider-Man is far from over as there are still many loose threads that need to be addressed. First and foremost; Cletus Kasady is still out there carrying an Oscorp Container with a sample of the symbiote inside. Besides, all the "Crimson Hour" prophecy has yet to come to life. Perhaps once Carnage enters the scene, the deranged supervillain will summon Knull to "welcome us all into a new paradise" as the prophecy states. That could only mean bad news for Peter and Miles, but good news for us players as we'd get to watch an amazing storyline unfold. One that's sure to be filled with a lot of violence and epic boss fights.

6. Hobgoblin

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 revealed that the Goblin Serum will play a major role in the next game of the saga (or a potential DLC). But while we're dying to see the Green Goblin finally make his debut in Insomniac's franchise, it doesn't have to stop there. After all, the symbiote not only resulted in the creation of Venom but also Scream and many other low-level infected goons. So on that same page, the G-Serum could create many versions of the Goblin first before Norman Osborn uses it on himself. And that can only mean one thing.

The Hobgoblin could be one of the many bosses players face during the next chapter of the franchise. While the supervillain hasn't had a breakout role in movies or video games, that could all change very soon. Granted, Insomniac would need to find a way to make both the Hobgoblin and the Green Goblin different in terms of gameplay mechanics in order to justify the appearance of both characters. But there's a perfect (and quite simple) solution for that.

Norman Osborn could use a stronger version of the Goblin Serum which turns him into the Ultimate Version of the supervillain - a big flaming monster that resembles the Hulk more than anything. On the contrary, the Hobgoblin could represent the more "traditional" version of the character which uses a glider and pumpkin bombs to attack his foes. That way players can have the best of both worlds, and the "goblin" storyline could make for a great part of the next game (unlike the symbiote storyline in Marvel's Spider-Man 2).

5. Chameleon

If you've completed all the "Unidentified Target" missions in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, then you know about him. Yeah, we're talking about the man who's one of Spidey's earliest enemies and also Kraven's brother. And it looks like he's here to finish what the hunter started.

Spider-Man and the Chameleon already have a complicated history in the Marvel's Spider-Man franchise. Peter mentions how the Chamelion was put behind bars many years ago, but at some point, the supervillain managed to escape. Now, it appears Insomniac is setting up the pieces for a rematch in either a DLC or a new game. So it will be interesting to see what kind of boss fight could be designed for the master of disguise.

Perhaps Insomniac can find a narrative explanation to make the Chameleon shape-shift into anyone he desires while also copying that person's powers. That way, he could transform into many different villains we've already seen in the saga - such as Scorpion, who's already dead. The fight against the Chamelion then could act as a rapid-fire recollection of previous bosses in the franchise. On the contrary, perhaps players don't need to face him in hand-to-hand combat. Maybe there could be a chase sequence where the Chameleon constantly disguises as other people and it's the players' job to don't lose track of him.

Whatever the case, we're eager to watch Dmitri Smerdyakov attempt to do what his brother couldn't and hunt Spider-Man once and for all.

4. Doctor Octopus

Talk about a comeback.

I know what you're thinking: Didn't Doctor Octopus appear in Marvel's Spider-Man for PS4? Well, yes. He was the main antagonist of that game (and did a fantastic job at it). However, that doesn't mean he shouldn't appear once again to finish what he started. After all, Marvel's Spider-Man 2 makes it very clear that his story isn't done yet.

Many have wondered what could be the role of Otto Octavius in the future of Insomniac's franchise considering his delicate situation. He has a degenerative disease - similar to muscular dystrophy - that could render his body ineffective sooner rather than later. So could the brilliant scientist look to transfer his mind to the body of Peter Parker just like in the comic books? Are we looking at a potential adaptation of the Superior Spider-Man storyline?

Many have theorized that Peter Parker will bite the dust during the events of Marvel's Spider-Man 3 and that Miles Morales and Cindy Moon will act as his successors. However, there could be a slight chance that Otto Octavius joins that lineup as well with the mantle of Superior Spider-Man. Of course, chances are Insomniac won't head in that direction and, instead, will use Otto's character as a traditional antagonist. But only time will tell what plans they have in store for this beloved supervillain.

3. Doctor Doom

Doctor Doom isn't typically known for being a "Spider-Man villain" as he's most commonly associated with the Fantastic Four. However, that doesn't mean Miles Morales hasn't gone toe-toe-to-toe with the evil mastermind in the Ultimate Universe. Besides, Marvel's Spider-Man has already planted some seeds that could lead to an encounter between Victor Van Damme and Peter Parker / Miles Morales.

During Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, both Peter and Mary Jane traveled to Symkaria to report on its ongoing civil war for the Daily Bugle. The former even wrote a book about how the fictional country has been under a dictatorship that resulted in many casualties over the past years. However, the game didn't go into too many details about what is really happening behind the curtains. Silver Sable also mentioned the situation in her home country is horrible, but she didn't reveal the identity behind this ruthless dictator. Since Symkaria and Latveria border one another, could Doctor Doom be behind this whole mess? After all, as the ruler of Latveria, he has also conquered Symkaria in comic book pages. So could Insomniac be looking to adapt this storyline?

While the map of New York in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is big and filled with many easter eggs and neat details, it's time for us to explore other fictional areas set in a wider Marvel Universe. The inclusion of Doctor Doom could be exciting in itself due to his status as one of Marvel's most brilliant and iconic villains. However, it could also allow for a whole new location to be explored in-game as well, which is always welcome. So with that in mind, we need to see him in Marvel's Spider-Man 3 (even if he doesn't play a protagonistic role).

2. Carnage

Not only did Cletus Kasady appear in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, but he also had one of the most entertaining side quests of the whole game. Unfortunately, his story ended on a big cliffhanger as he finally obtained a sample of the symbiote only to instantly flee the scene and never show up again. However, if the Crimson Hour prophecy taught us something is that the worst is yet to come.

During The Flame's missions, players can spot multiple images foreshadowing Carnage's long-awaited arrival. According to the prophecy, the unhinged Marvel villain will "Reshape the Earth, strike down the unworthy, and welcome us all into a new paradise".

Yeah, that's not terrifying at all.

The general consensus regarding Marvel's Spider-Man 2 seems to be that Insomniac dropped the ball with its Venom storyline. While there was nothing wrong with the villain per se, it had a very rushed arc that was overshadowed by Kraven's hunt. So now it's the perfect time for Insomniac Games to redeem themselves and give Carnage the spotlight he deserves. He should be a ruthless, violent, and diabolical villain who should terrify players from the get-go.

To better expand on that point, Carnage should randomly appear in the open world to attack and haunt players. That idea was rumored to be implemented with Venom in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 but unfortunately failed to make the cut. However, that doesn't mean that idea shouldn't be explored in a third title of the franchise. Just imagine the terror of doing a random side mission when all of a sudden Carnage appears and starts fighting you. Wouldn't it be awesome?

1. Green Goblin

It all has been leading up to him. Every horrible tragedy in the two mainline Marvel's Spider-Man games can be traced back to one man. Norman Osborn's desperate attempts to keep his son alive have gone way too far, creating villains such as Mr. Negative, and Venom in the process. Not to mention how Otto Octavious' hatred towards him ultimately pushed the mad scientist to turn into Doctor Octopus. Since Norman is (inadvertently) the mastermind behind all of Peter Parker's problems, it's time for him to take the spotlight.

At this point, it's all but confirmed the Green Goblin will appear in Marvel's Spider-Man 3. If that turns out to be the case, not only will the upcoming game's story benefit from having such a strong antagonist, but it could allow for awesome gameplay segments. Just imagine a chase sequence where Spidey perches his webs to the Goblin's glider and has to avoid projectiles thrown at him such as pumpkin bombs. When Norman flies low, our friendly neighborhood hero can slide across the pavement (while still holding onto the glider through his web) and dodge obstacles such as cars and pedestrians. Besides, if Insomniac allows us to briefly control the antagonist (just like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 did) it could add a whole new means of travesal for players to explore.

The Green Goblin could also be the most relentless villain of the franchise, doing everything in his power to make Peter suffer for what he did to Harry Osborn. Attacking Peter on a personal level is what could force our friendly neighborhood hero out of retirement after the events of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Besides, a third game in the franchise can end in a climactic battle to the death between the hero and villain, just like in the Ultimate Spider-Man comic book storyline. That would put Miles Morales and Cindy Moon as protagonistic characters moving forward.

The possibilities for what Norman could do in the next Marvel's Spider-Man installment are endless. But one thing's for certain: his presence would certainly lead to many tragedies.