At one point, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was poised to appear in Madame Web, and many believe the Marvel Cinematic Universe star’s presence would have strengthened both the film’s box office results and its critical reception. The missed opportunity has fueled debate on Tom Holland’s Spider-Man impact on Madame Web box office, especially as the movie grossed only $100.5 million globally, ranking as one of the lowest performers within Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
Early Visions for Madame Web Included Spider-Man’s Appearance
Madame Web’s development initially considered a more direct link with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sparking hope among fans for a crossover that would energize Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. In the end, these plans were changed, drastically altering the movie’s potential trajectory. Dakota Johnson, who stars in the film as Cassandra Webb, alluded to significant executive-driven changes to the film:
“It started out as something and turned into something else.”
—Dakota Johnson, actress
This statement suggests that Madame Web underwent creative transformations during its production, leaving fans to wonder what could have been if the original direction had been preserved, particularly with the inclusion of Tom Holland as Spider-Man.
Concept Art Reveals What Might Have Been
Newly surfaced concept art from artist Sebastian Meyer confirms that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was, for a time, meant to appear in Madame Web. The artwork depicts Holland’s Spider-Man battling the film’s primary antagonist, Ezekiel Sims, in a dynamic aerial confrontation that would have brought direct MCU energy to the movie. Although Peter Parker technically is present within Madame Web’s storyline, the version shown is not the one audiences recognize, nor is it a Spider-Man who would attract crowds to the theater in droves.
The draw of seeing the current MCU incarnation of Spider-Man remains strong, even after the massive turnout for Spider-Man: No Way Home, which united Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield on screen. Early rumors also considered the possibility of Garfield’s Spider-Man joining the Sony universe as Peter Parker, a move that, like Holland’s inclusion, ultimately never materialized.
Missed Opportunities to Link the SSU and MCU
Although the final cut avoided an outright Spider-Man crossover, subtle connections to the Marvel Cinematic Universe lingered in both visual references and marketing materials. Among the evidence was a scrapped movie-themed popcorn bucket, shared by a user named KevinPigaChu, that showcased several Marvel Easter eggs: a newspaper nod to The Daily Bugle, a suited Drax as played by Dave Bautista, and headlines featuring Stark Industries. The Spider-Man referenced in the concept art wore a suit nearly identical to Holland’s, signaling the intent to blur the lines between Sony’s and Marvel’s universes for audiences and collectors alike.
Altogether, these revelations make clear that Sony’s original plans for Madame Web would have thoroughly embraced the MCU, potentially electrifying both its plot and its performance at the box office.
The Frustration Over Madame Web’s Deceptive Use of Spider-Man
The removal of Spider-Man—particularly Tom Holland’s version—has remained a sore point for many. While the narrative teases Spider-Man’s legacy, he never takes the screen in person. Instead, the story presents Emma Roberts as Mary Parker, a character who is pregnant throughout the film. Her baby, hinted at but never confirmed, is understood by fans to be Peter Parker. The connection is spelled out further with Adam Scott portraying Ben Parker, creating a lineage closely associated with the eventual Spider-Man.
The film repeatedly teases these connections. Viewers witness moments in which Mary Parker almost says her unborn son’s name, and the story tiptoes around directly including Spider-Man. This careful dance led some to interpret it as a limitation imposed on Madame Web, rather than a deliberate narrative strategy. Notably, the attention also turns to Sydney Sweeney’s Julia Cornwall and her emergence, as well as the roles of other future Spider-Women, but the absence of a present, active Peter Parker left audiences disappointed.
Box Office Analysis: Spider-Man’s Influence on Franchise Success
The financial implications of omitting Tom Holland’s Spider-Man are significant. Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 represents the lowest box office among live-action Spider-Man films yet still grossed over $709 million globally. In contrast, Madame Web ended its run far short of those numbers, struggling to attract the level of audience engagement that Spider-Man movies routinely generate. Even the rumor of Holland’s involvement sparked speculation that Madame Web would have flipped its fortunes if Spider-Man played a pivotal role, even if just in the final act against Ezekiel Sims.
From a narrative perspective, the absence of Spider-Man heightened frustrations, as the film hinted at a more compelling sequel rather than delivering it outright. Fans expected a story rich with crossover events and character development, but instead received what felt like setup for a future that might never arrive. The closing moments—hints of Julia Cornwall and others gaining powers—underscore what many viewers considered a missed creative opportunity.
Had Holland’s Spider-Man been part of the action, Madame Web would have been the only Sony Spider-Man Universe film to feature the franchise’s namesake hero directly. Such a move would have aligned Madame Web firmly with the larger and more successful Marvel brand, generating more buzz and potential revenue.
The Larger Impact on Sony’s Spider-Man Universe
The exclusion of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man from Madame Web resonated not only in financial terms—making the film a box office failure—but also in perception. Sony’s franchise, already under intense scrutiny, suffered from the absence of its most popular character. For a universe built around Spider-Man lore, not showcasing the titular hero in its films risks eroding the audience’s connection and interest.
Other cast members like Dakota Johnson and Emma Roberts brought strong performances, yet the sense of what could have been remained. Had Holland shared scenes with characters like Cassandra Webb, Julia Cornwall, and the other Spider-Women, Madame Web might have stood as a true highlight, rather than a cautionary tale. The frustration felt by fans and industry observers alike speaks volumes about the importance of anchor characters like Spider-Man in interconnected franchises.
Looking Ahead: Can Future MCU and SSU Crossovers Deliver?
With upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe titles such as Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Avengers: Doomsday, audiences continue to crave crossover experiences that unite beloved characters. Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Avengers: Secret Wars are both slated for release in the next few years, offering chances for new creative directions and stronger links among these sprawling franchises.
If studios learn from the reception to Madame Web, future projects may prioritize fan-favorite heroes and meaningful connections across universes. As moviegoers look toward sequels and the next phase of superhero storytelling, the lessons of Madame Web underscore the powerful, measurable impact that the right character—like Tom Holland’s Spider-Man—can have on a film’s performance and legacy.
