As the Marvel Cinematic Universe looks ahead to the next chapter in Spider-Man’s saga, speculation runs wild about who will step into the villain role for Spider-Man 4. While classic rogues like the Green Goblin, Venom, or Kraven the Hunter are always enticing, there’s one adversary who feels almost tailor-made for this particular moment in Peter Parker’s story: Mr. Negative.
Introduced in 2007’s Amazing Spider-Man comics during the “Brand New Day” era, Mr. Negative—aka Martin Li—is not just a compelling villain; he represents a thematic goldmine for the evolution of Tom Holland’s Spider-Man. After the events of No Way Home, where Peter ended up alone, his identity erased from the memories of everyone he loved, there’s an emotional blank slate for Peter. This aligns beautifully with Martin Li’s duality—a man who embodies both salvation and corruption, light and darkness.
Martin Li is a philanthropist by day, running homeless shelters like F.E.A.S.T. (which already exists in the MCU thanks to Spider-Man: No Way Home), and a ruthless crime lord by night, operating as the malevolent Mr. Negative. That contrast perfectly mirrors Peter’s own constant internal battle: responsibility vs. personal desire, the public mask vs. private suffering. Bringing Mr. Negative into Spider-Man 4 would allow the movie to explore Peter’s struggle not just physically, but philosophically, as he navigates what it means to be a hero when nobody remembers him—not even MJ or Ned.
Moreover, Mr. Negative’s abilities are ripe for cinematic spectacle. His power to corrupt others, turning even friends into enemies with a touch, could lead to gut-wrenching scenarios. Imagine Peter, still emotionally raw, fighting to save people he’s come to protect at F.E.A.S.T.—only to have them weaponized against him. This would elevate the personal stakes in a way few villains can. It’s not just about stopping the bad guy; it’s about resisting the very loneliness and anger that could consume Peter if he gives in to despair.
From a visual standpoint, Mr. Negative’s aesthetic is tailor-made for the big screen. His reverse-color energy blasts, his stark black-and-white appearance against the vivid backdrop of New York City, could offer some of the most striking and inventive action sequences yet seen in a Spider-Man film. Picture an extended fight scene in a neon-lit New York, with Mr. Negative’s black-and-white touch infecting the world around him, altering the city into a dark mirror of itself as Peter battles to hold onto hope. It would be surreal, beautiful, and nightmarish—all at once.
Another layer of richness comes from Mr. Negative’s connection to Aunt May’s legacy. In the comics, May Parker is closely tied to Martin Li through her volunteer work at F.E.A.S.T. Now, in the MCU, with Aunt May’s death being one of Peter’s deepest wounds, there’s an opportunity to tie that emotional pain to the villain himself. Perhaps Martin Li was someone May trusted—a benevolent figure in her community work—making his darker nature not only a shock to Peter but a betrayal of May’s ideals. That betrayal could haunt Peter throughout the film, forcing him to grapple with whether the faith May placed in people like Martin Li was misguided—or if even in darkness, redemption is possible.
Thematically, Spider-Man 4 has the chance to build a story that’s about grief, redemption, and the choices that define us. Mr. Negative is a villain built around the idea of duality, and Spider-Man has always been a hero born from it. Their collision would not just offer the high-flying action audiences expect, but a deeper, more intimate exploration of what it means to do good when no one is watching, when no one will ever say thank you, and when the easy path—the negative path—seems so much more tempting.
There’s also the simple fact that Mr. Negative would bring something fresh to the Spider-Man movies. We’ve seen Green Goblins, Doctor Octopuses, Sandmen, and Venoms across various iterations. As fantastic as they are, introducing Mr. Negative would help avoid the feeling of retread and fatigue. He’s a villain that modern Spider-Man fans recognize from both comics and the acclaimed Spider-Man PS4 game, and yet he remains largely untapped for the big screen. That fresh factor could invigorate the next phase of Peter’s journey, helping Spider-Man 4 stand apart while still honoring the heart and spirit of the franchise.
Ultimately, Spider-Man 4: Brand New Day should be about Peter Parker carving out a new life from the ashes of his old one. Mr. Negative, with his dual life, his connection to Peter’s pain, and his potent powers, could be the perfect foil to challenge Peter not just as Spider-Man, but as the broken young man struggling to build something meaningful again. Their battle would not just be one of fists and webs—it would be a battle for Peter’s very soul.
In a universe that’s growing ever grander and more chaotic, Spider-Man’s next great challenge should feel deeply personal. Mr. Negative offers that opportunity. He could be the villain that pushes Peter to remember who he is, even when the entire world has forgotten.