February 17, 2006 - Spider-Man Month rolls on at IGN Comics and we're back with the third and final feature examining the possible roles of the villains in the next Spidey film. Previously we looked at Sandman and Venom. It's finally time to eyeball one guy we know has it out for Peter Parker -- Harry Osborn.
With Sandman a definite for Spider-Man 3 and Venom a likely second, would director Sam Raimi dare consider adding a third costumed menace to complete the first Spider-Man trilogy?James Franco returns to play Harry Osborn. That much if for certain. When last we left Harry, he had discovered the Peter Parker was in fact Spider-Man, the person he believed killed his father. Peter's also the person who stole his girlfriend, Mary Jane Watson. And, thanks to a disastrous experiment with Otto Octavius, Oscorp is in serious financial trouble. To top it off, Harry's just discovered daddy's secret stash of Goblin equipment.
All of this would make it easy to believe Harry suits up for Spider-Man 3. Don't hold your breath. Raimi has plans for three more Spidey movies after 2007's edition, so there's no rush to finish off the Harry/Spider-Man duel. But we'll get to that in a bit. First, let's take a look at Harry's villainous turn in the comics.
Harry Osborn wasn't a fan of Peter Parker at first. That's because Harry had a thing for Gwen Stacy, but she was smitten with Peter. That animosity evaporated over time and, just as in the movies, the two became such good friends they shared an apartment. Harry had no idea that his roommate was really Spider-Man or that his own father was actually the Green Goblin. All that changed the day Gwen Stacy died. Harry had spent his youth experimenting with drugs and his addiction had only grown worse. Seemingly bed-ridden, he still managed to follow Spider-Man to witness his final battle with Green Goblin. Gwen Stacy died in that fight and not long after, the Green Goblin met his end. Harry discovered his father in a warehouse and believed Spider-Man had murdered him. It wouldn't be long before Harry discovered the truth about his pal, Peter Parker. One day, Harry found a Spider-Man costume in Peter's closet. He was living with his worst enemy. To top it off, one-time girlfriend Mary Jane started dating Peter Parker, leaving Harry with nothing but his hatred.
Eventually Harry donned the Green Goblin costume to battle Spider-Man. Over time, Harry was "cured" and the memory of being the Goblin suppressed. He and Peter remained friends, though Harry did lose his sanity from time to time and reassume the role of the Goblin. He died of poisoning, a result of injecting himself with an altered and unstable super-strength serum.
Consider the first three Spider-Man films as Harry's transformation from up-and-comer to madman. This is how one man can be pushed to such great strains that he loses touch with reality. That said, Spider-Man 3 serves as the final push that drives Harry over the edge. He won't be Green Goblin in this film, unless perhaps it's as a teaser at the very end of the movie. Put money on it (like maybe five bucks).
Harry is on hard times and will likely be trying to revive Oscorp. That doesn't mean his hatred of Spider-Man will cool down, just that he'll be using others to do his dirty work for him. As we've said previously, our guess is that Flint Marko's daughter is ill (or in danger) and that Harry will extort the situation to have Sandman assist him in a few devious acts.
And if Raimi wants to make the move our way, then Venom is a result of another failed Oscorp experiment (as is Sandman). After all, that's been the theme of the previous two films. Oscorp fails and someone gets super-powers.
The mystery in the mix is Gwen Stacy. She's said to become a part of a love triangle with Peter and MJ, but don't count Harry out of the Stacy sweepstakes. Love could be in the air for these two, you never know.
The ending of the third film more than likely sets up Harry as the next Green Goblin to kick of Spider-Man 4 in 2010 or whenever it's released. It is possible that Harry's story could wrap this movie, which would allow for a new cast of characters for Spider-Man 4, 5 & 6. We hold out hope that Harry embraces the Goblin only at the end of Spidey 3 and that from there, things can only get worse for poor Peter Parker.
Will Harry become Green Goblin in this film? Will he discover forgiveness for Spider-Man? We don't know and we likely won't know until much closer to May 2007. We'll see you in line at the movies. Courtesy of IGN.com
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