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Green Goblin
Official Green Goblin No Way Home Poster
Name: Norman Virgil Osborn
Alias(es): Green Goblin
Affiliation: Oscorp Technologies
Rank: Villain (formerly)
Children: Harry Osborn
Portrayed by: Willem Dafoe
First appeared: Spider-Man
Last appeared: Spider-Man: No Way Home
Appears in: 4 Films
"The one thing they love more than a hero is to see a hero fail, fall, die trying. In spite of everything you've done for them, eventually, they will hate you."
―The Green Goblin[src]

Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) is the main antagonist of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy and Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Norman Osborn is a rich industrialist, the founder and CEO of Oscorp Technologies, and the father of Harry Osborn, who befriended Peter Parker. After being exposed to the Goblin Serum, the Serum caused a side effect that made Norman insanely dangerous and hearing voices of the Goblin, and causing his mind to split in two, creating his alternative persona, the Green Goblin. A complete parallel to himself, Green Goblin takes control of Norman, compelling him to kill and destroy anybody and everything. He would soon be challenged by the new local hero, Spider-Man, leading to them becoming enemies. However, after learning that Spider-Man is really Peter, Goblin becomes obsessed with destroying Spider-Man and everything he cares about, and as such, compels Norman to do the same, thereby becoming his archenemy. He is eventually killed during his last fight with Spiderman, as he is impaled by his glider he attempted to use to kill Spiderman. Despite his death, he'd continue to haunt Spiderman.

Twenty-Two years later, past versions of Osborn and Green Goblin from a point prior to their deaths, are accidentally transported to the year 2024 of an alternate universe, where at first, Osborn regains control of his mind. Osborn soon encounters two villains from his home universe and two villains from another alternate universe, all of whom similarly fought Spider-Man and a few of whom suffered a similar fate like him. Not wanting to die upon returning to their universes, Osborn and the other villains team up to get cured. However, not wanting to be cured, the Green Goblin retakes control of Osborn and decides to target this world's version of Spider-Man and his loved ones, becoming one of that Spider-Man's greatest enemies, after Mysterio. After Goblin is eventually defeated by this universes' Spider-Man, the latter eliminates him for good by curing Osborn. Osborn is then sent back to his universe, where he would exist and have a second chance at life in a branched/alternate timeline.

He was portrayed by Willem Dafoe in Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: No Way Home.

History

Early life

"Your mother was beautiful too. They're all beautiful until they're snarling after your trust fund like a pack of riveting wolves..."
―Norman Osborn to Harry Osborn[src]

Norman Osborn was born in October 11, 1945 in Massachusetts to Ambrose Osborn and an unnamed mother. As a child, Norman did well in school. His teachers noted how his brilliance outshone that of the other kids and he managed to skip a few grades. His personal life, however, was less rewarding. His father, who was a failed businessman and inventor, would regularly abuse his wife and son. This likely caused Norman to further turn his attention to where he was valued: school. As he matured, he eventually attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated in 1963 at the age of 18. He set a new record for MIT as their youngest graduate. His academic accomplishments made him think he was destined for greatness, and he set to work founding a firm known as Oscorp Technologies. At first it seemed all was well, and Norman moved to New York City and purchased a palatial residence with his early profits. He also married a woman named Emily .

However, there were signs that Norman was doomed to be the same failure his father was. In 1976, the company suffered a downturn, and Norman had to mortgage his residence and make use of every line of credit he could to keep the company afloat. By the 1980s, the scientists who worked at Oscorp privately questioned Norman's ability to run his own company, and several were concerned their own careers were endangered as the future of the company remained in doubt. In 1983, Norman had spent two entire workdays on the phone trying to dissuade board members from staging a boardroom coup.

Sometime later, Norman met a fellow scientist in Otto Octavius and befriended him. Also, Norman helps fund Otto's work through Oscorp. In June of 1984, Harry was born but his wife died later on. Norman was displeased that his son was known to flunk every fancy Private School he was sent to until he went to Midtown High School in New York.

Spider-Man

Trying the Goblin Serum

DeletedGreenGoblinScene SpiderMan2002

One day, during the year 2002, Norman drops Harry off to a field trip for school where he met his best friend Peter Parker and was quickly impressed with his intelligence. Later, Norman arrived at Oscorp as he had been attempting to recreate a Super Soldier Serum; however, Oscorp began to struggle, with Osborn's promised performance-enhancing serum for a military contract having been hit with setbacks, not the least of which being that rodents that it had been tested on have displayed violence, aggression, and insanity. General Slocum of the United States Army visits Oscorp to see the results of their new super soldier formula. When one of Norman's top scientists, Dr. Stromm warns him that the formula was unstable, General Slocum threatens to pull all of the military's funding from Oscorp.

Later that night, Norman exposes himself to the formula as its first human trial, gains superhuman strength and agility but is driven partially insane and kills Stromm then steals two other Oscorp inventions, an exoskeleton suit, and a jet glider. The following morning, Norman was found unconscious on the floor in his mansion by Harry as he woke him up and helped him to a couch nearby. When Harry asked as to why he was on the floor, Norman told his son that he didn't know. Norman also told Harry that he doesn't remember what happen that night. However, after learning that Dr. Stromm was dead, he was shocked and was stunned to hear that two of his company equipments were stolen, unaware that he killed his own colleague and stole those things himself.

Sometime later, Norman was reading a newspaper in his home as he found out that he could be going out of business then heard an evil laughter echoing the room, much to his confusion. Another night, Slocum visits Quest Aerospace, Oscorp's chief competitor, to view their progress towards the contract. While viewing a demonstration of a new battlesuit, Norman appeared as a menacing figure, as he was wearing the stolen Oscorp exoskeleton and riding the jet glider. Norman then attacked the weapon test at Quest Aerospace as their prototype was destroyed and General Slocum was killed.

Helping Harry and Peter

Norman attended Harry's high school graduation as he expressed pride and admits that it wasn't the first time he was proven wrong. Also, Norman was pleased to see Peter won the science award as he offered some advice and comfort of his Uncle Ben's recent passing. Norman even got a place for Harry and Peter to live together in for collage.

Norman would sometimes visit Harry and Peter at their place for a weekly inspection to ensure they were doing okay. During one of the visits, Norman spent half of it on the phone, much to Harry's annoyances.

Getting fired

Norman basks in his company's eventual success: Quest has to reorganize after the debacle that killed Slocum, Oscorp has been given more government contracts and the company's stock is soaring. However, Norman was crestfallen to learn that the board of directors has chosen this moment to accept a buyout offer from Quest and he would lose his job.

Hearing this, Norman had an outburst at his own board of directors, as they told them that he was out. Through those events, Norman's insane aggression manifests itself in a split personality, the driven yet confused Norman, and the murderous, scheming villain who will soon become known as "The Green Goblin".

Festival fight

"Out, am I?!"
―Norman to the Board Members, before killing them.[src]

As The Green Goblin, he goes to attack Oscorp's annual Unity Day street fair as he throws a pumpkin bomb to explode a hotel, making the balcony fall off. He then throws another pumpkin bomb that kills the Board of Directors to prevent the sell out. Then, Spider-Man fights off The Green Goblin and saves the day. Despite losing the fight, he warns Spider-Man that they'll meet again.

Out am I

The Green Goblin attacking the Unity Day Festival.

That next day, the Green Goblin decides to show himself to Norman as he became aware of his presences within his mind. He accuses the confused Norman of always knowing who he is. Norman looks at his mirror where he meets the Green Goblin, as he finds out that he is his alter ego, due to the accident in the laboratory. Norman becomes shocked and horrified that he killed Oscorp board members while under the influence of the Green Goblin, and comes to the realization of the other crimes he had done. Norman's evil side then manipulates him into believing that he and Spider-Man should work together as partners. As Green Goblin, He attacks The Daily Bugle offices, threatening J. Jonah Jameson to tell him who took Spider-Man's photos, but Jameson refused to tell him in order to protect Peter.

Spider-Man arrives and the Green Goblin uses sleep gas to render him unconscious, causing the human web-slinger to fall but the Green Goblin catches him and takes him to a nearby New York building. The Green Goblin offers Spider-Man a chance of partnership then leaves, giving the latter a few days to think over his offer of partnership. He did warn Spider-Man the city will eventually turn against him, and that they should rule it together. The Green Goblin stood corrected as The Daily Bugle did say Spider-Man was a criminal and wanted him arrested.

Finding out Peter Parker is Spider-Man

A few days later, on Thanksgiving, the Green Goblin stages a fire in an apartment building to get an answer from Spider-Man. Spider-Man refuses to join forces with the Green Goblin, and the two fight. They are evenly matched, although Green Goblin uses his razor bats and gains a slight advantage. Spider-Man received a bad cut on his arm from one of razor bats.

Screenshot 7000

Green Goblin fighting against Spider-Man.

Despite the injury, Spider-Man gets the upper hand in hand-to-hand combat before escaping, due to Green Goblin being too strong, leaving Green Goblin in disappointment from Spider-Man's choice. As Norman and Peter respectively, the Green Goblin and Spider-Man are due at Peter and Harry's loft for Thanksgiving dinner.

They each race back separately. When Peter arrives to dinner with fresh blood from the cut on his sleeve, Norman then realizes that Peter is Spider-Man and hastily leaves. On his way out, he insults Harry's girlfriend Mary Jane and she leaves angrily too, hurt that Harry didn't defend her after what Norman had said. Before his plan to finish Spider-Man, Norman contemplates with Green Goblin, saying he can't go through with it as he doesn't want to hurt Peter, but the Green Goblin says that Spider-Man has to be stopped. The Goblin has a plan to attack Spider-Man's loved ones as a way to easily distract him and defeat him.

The bridge fight

That night, the Green Goblin attacks Aunt May at her home, sending her to the hospital. After learning from Harry, who broke up with Mary Jane, that Peter loves her more than anything, the Green Goblin then decided to strike at Spider-Man through her. He kidnaps Mary Jane from her home, then sabotages a trolley car along the Roosevelt Bridge. Spider-Man arrived and the Green Goblin gives him the choice of saving either Mary Jane or the trolley car, then drops them both from the bridge. However, Spider-Man managed to save both, with assistance from a passing barge and pedestrians on the bridge who pelt the Green Goblin with debris and delay him from his attempt to kill Spider-Man.

Furious that citizens take Spider-Man side and he saves them yet again, the Green Goblin grabs Spider-Man using a cable cord and throws him into an abandoned Smallpox hospital so no one will interfere. After Spider-Man crashes through the building, the Green Goblin throws a pumpkin bomb into the building, severely injuring and weakening him. After hopping off his glider as it extinguishes the flames, Green Goblin reels his yellow shades back and looks at his struggling adversary trying to recover with his identity revealed from the ripped mask. The Green Goblin shows pity on Spider-Man for betraying his proposal; he begins the battle by intercepting Peter's block and punches him in the chest where his spider symbol is. Throughout the fight Goblin brutally beats Peter, capitalizing on Peter's injuries, nullified spider-sense, and tiredness.

Goblintrident-287x300

Goblin's trident.

The Green Goblin nearly wins when he taunts how he will finish off Mary Jane with a painful and slow death. The Green Goblin draws a shiny green trident and tries to kill Spider-Man, but what Green Goblin said about M.J enraged Spider-Man and causes him to regain his strength, stamina, senses. When Goblin tries to stab Spider-Man with his trident, Spider-Man grabs it and in a fit of rage, throws him on to a brick wall. Goblin gets up, but Spiderman uses his webs to pull him to the ground and then bring down the brick wall on him. Goblin gets up, but is dazed. Spider-Man uses his web to swing, grab Goblin and throw him against a wall. Spiderman then starts punching him, but stops after Norman pleads him to stop and takes off his Green Goblin helmet to reveal himself. Peter is shocked to learn that the evil Green Goblin is Norman.

Death

"Peter. Don't tell Harry."
―Norman's last words.[src]
SM (2002) - Spider-Man Defeats Green Goblin

Norman telling Peter not to hurt him.

Norman reasons with Peter that it was the serum and the evil side of him that made him turn to crime. However, he is still being possessed by the Green Goblin, who is controlling his jet glider and aiming to to stab Spider-Man with it. Norman says he is like a father to Peter and asks him to hug him but Peter claims his father is the recently deceased Ben Parker. Angry, Goblin attempts to stab Peter with his glider, but he leaps out of the way in the last second, since his spider-senses has been regained, just before it collides with Osborn, who is unable to stop the glider.

Norman is fatally stabbed by the glider. Just as he is about to succumb to his wounds, Norman begs Peter not to tell Harry of his misdeeds and then dies. Peter is left depressed due to the heavy burden given to him.

Spider-Man takes Norman's body back to his penthouse apartment. He returns the Goblin gear back to Norman's secret lair. He places his body on a sofa, but Harry sees them and thus blames Spider-Man for Norman's death. At his father's funeral, he vows revenge and thanks Peter for being such a great friend.

Spider-Man 2 / Spider-Man 3

Postmortem and legacy

Mirror, Mirror

Norman appearing in one of Harry's hallucinations.

Two years after the Green Goblin's reign of terror over New York ended, Norman's death still haunts both Peter and Harry, as Harry starts to feel that Peter is being selfish by not telling him who is Spider-Man despite that Peter often takes photographs of him for The Daily Bugle. After the Norman's death, Harry has taken over his position as Head of the Research Department at Oscorp and funds the project of Dr. Otto Octavius. However, after Otto's experiment goes horribly wrong and becomes Doctor Octopus, Harry leaves a bad business impression among his father's colleagues and has a fight with Peter, estranging their friendship.

Later on, Doctor Octopus demands Harry to find more tritium to make his experiment again, so Harry makes a bargain with Octopus by asking him to kill Spider-Man to avenge his father, only to change his mind shortly afterward and request Octopus to deliver Spider-Man to him so he can kill him personally. Doctor Octopus does so and Harry gives him the tritium before preparing to kill Spider-Man with a dagger, but first chooses to see his face and reacts in horror when he realizes that Peter Parker is behind the mask. Horrified that Peter killed his dad, but knowing that Mary Jane's safety is more important, Harry lets Peter go by telling him where Doctor Octopus was hiding.

Subsequently, Norman appears in a hallucination in a mirror to Harry, demanding him to seek vengeance against Peter in a similar fashion to how King Hamlet haunted his son to avenge him in Shakespeare's play. Harry refuses leading to Norman calling him weak. Enraged, Harry broke the mirror, revealing the secret Goblin lair, and therefore his father's true identity.

Months later in 2005, Norman's hallucination returns to encourage his son to again destroy Spider-Man. This time Harry acts on his father's words and dons the Oscorp gear and glider as "The New Goblin" and attacks Peter, but is knocked out and suffers from immediate memory loss, forgetting his promise to Norman for revenge.

In time, Harry has flashbacks and remembers Peter's alter-ego. He again sees his father in the mirror, telling him this time to attack Peter's heart. He threatens Mary Jane and blackmails her into breaking up with Peter, then lies that he was the one she dumped him for.

Later, Peter shows up at the penthouse to confront Harry (secretly donning the symbiote version of his Spiderman suit that has corrupted his mind). Peter attacks Harry after he boasts about kissing Mary Jane. Harry finds that he is no match this time for the enhanced Peter and is defeated. While sitting beaten up against the wall in his Goblin Lair, he asks if Peter is going to kill him as he did with his father. Peter laments he's done trying to convince Harry of his innocence and boasted of how Norman never truly loved Harry. When he tries to throw a Pumpkin Bomb at Peter as he's walking away but Peter dodges and deflect it back at Harry. The pumpkin bomb goes off against the wall next to Harry's face but doesn't kill him, instead disfiguring half of his face. Later the Oscorp Penthouse butler Bernard tells Harry that Spider-Man was not to blame for his father's death and that the wounds were from his own glider.

He subsequently drops his father's vendetta, then aids Peter (who has since returned to his old self after getting rid of the symbiote) against The Sandman and Venom at the cost of his own life. Before he dies, he forgave Peter for Norman's death.

Over the years, Parker has thought about the possibility that he could have made an Anti-Goblin Serum for Osborn.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Variant

Alternate universe

"Coward. We have a new world to conquer. You make me sick."
"Leave me alone. Please."
"Hiding in the shadows. Hiding from who you truly are!"
"No!"
"You can't escape yourself!
"
―The Green Goblin taunting Norman Osborn.[src]

In an alternate universe (MCU universe), during the year 2024, Doctor Strange tried casting a spell that would make everyone in his universe forget that his Peter Parker was Spider-Man, but when Peter constantly changed the spell by requesting a handful of people to remember his identity as Spider-Man, this caused the spell to spiral out of control, which then began bringing people that knew Parker's identity as Spiderman from every universe within the Multiverse into the MCU universe. Despite containing the spell, alternate versions of Norman Osborn and the Green Goblin were among the handful of people that ended up slipping through the cracks and being transported to the MCU. This alternate version of Norman was brought into the universe alive, as he was pulled from a point prior to his final battle with Spider-Man. However, he was also pulled from his universe during his time as the Green Goblin, so Norman was still under the control of the Green Goblin after entering the MCU universe, as he attacked MCU Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus before they were teleported away. Later, The Green Goblin flew to a military base outside of New York City where he was witnessed by a few people. Unfortunately, the Green Goblin lost his control on Norman when the latter reclaimed control of his body and mind from his alter ego.

However, not recognizing New York City, Norman became frightened and lost in his new surroundings, but the Green Goblin realizes that they're in another universe. Realizing that he could cause more chaos in the new universe than he ever could in his own world, the Green Goblin decided to conquer the MCU universe. However, hearing his alternate identity's intentions and realizing how truly evil he was, Norman decided to turn against the Green Goblin and retreated to an alleyway in order to get rid of his glider so he wouldn't cause further destruction.

Unfortunately, the Green Goblin caught on to Norman's intentions as he taunted him and called him a coward then told him that they have a new world to conquer. Hearing the Green Goblin's voices, Norman turned around to where he set his mask as his alter ego told him that his helplessness was making him sick. Norman begged the Green Goblin to leave him alone, but his alter ego told him that he was hiding from who he truly was, and he couldn't escape himself. Also, the Green Goblin tried to retake control of Norman, but he resisted him. Scared and had enough of the Green Goblin, Norman smashed his mask and ran away while his alter ego laughed.

Meeting the Other Peter Parkers

Norman Osborn NWH

Norman Osborn at F.E.A.S.T.

Shortly after escaping the Green Goblin, Norman found an ad of Spider-Man for F.E.A.S.T. as he headed over there to find him and ask him for help, thinking that he was his Peter Parker, as he wandered into the building. Norman met the MCU version of May Parker as she gave him some clothes to hide his Green Goblin armor along with some food and coffee. After the MCU Spider-Man arrived, Norman met that universe Peter Parker as May introduced her nephew to him. Seeing Spider-Man without his mask, Norman looked at the MCU Parkers in confusion, although he did figure out that May is another version of the latter's aunt, then explained to Peter that he came to F.E.A.S.T. looking for his counterpart from his universe.

However, Norman was surprised to see that he wasn't his Peter Parker. Norman then told the MCU Parkers that his other reason that he came to F.E.A.S.T. was because he had nowhere else to go, due to someone else living at his house, Oscorp and Harry don't exist. Also, Norman told the MCU Parkers that sometimes he wasn't himself and he would be someone else, the Green Goblin. In addition, Norman told the Parkers that every time the Green Goblin was in control of him, he couldn't remember his actions. He then told them that he was now here at this place and in this city. When MCU May asked him who was in control of him, Norman, in a panic, told her that he didn't know what was going with him, but calmed down.

Learning of his fate

After being explained that he was in another universe and feeling he could trust this one version of Peter Parker, Norman realized that the multiverse existed and went with him to the New York Sanctum as MCU May dropped them off. Norman was introduced to MCU Peter's friends Ned and MJ. Recognizing the initials, Norman asked MCU MJ if her name was short for Mary Jane, but she corrected him that her name was short for Michelle Jones. Amazed by the new universe, Norman went to where the other misplaced villains, such as Lizard, Electro (both from the Webbverse universe, which is another alternate universe), Doctor Octopus and Sandman, were being held prisoners.

Seeing Doctor Octopus, Norman approached his cells as he noticed that they looked familiar to him. After getting a closer look at Doctor Octopus, Norman recognized the man with the mechanical tentacles as he realized that it was his friend and fellow scientist Otto Octavius, as he called out to him. When Doctor Octopus turned to his direction, Norman and Otto were stunned to see each other. Shocked to see the mechanical tentacles on Otto's back, Norman asked his friend as to what happened, but he didn't give him an answer as he told him that he was the walking corpse. Confused, Norman asked Otto what he was talking about, as Otto told him that he died many years prior. Realizing that this man in front of him wasn't Otto Octavius, Norman told Doctor Octopus that he was insane and the MCU Peter, who overheard their conversation, defended him, but Sandman confirmed to the two that what Doctor Octopus was saying was true. Norman and the MCU Peter were also surprised to hear from Sandman that Doctor Octopus had died as well.

Hearing this, Norman looked at the MCU Peter to see if it was true, but he was just as shocked as he was. Norman then listened to Sandman tell him how he died in their universe, which shocked him. However, before he could process this information, Norman witnessed Doctor Strange appear as he put him in one of the prisons then discovered his intentions to return him and the rest of the villains to their universes. Not wanting to die upon being returned to his universe and worried about the impact it would have on Harry, Norman called out to the MCU Peter for help, which he heard and stopped Strange from sending them back

After the MCU Spider-Man imprisoned Doctor Strange in the mirror dimension, Norman listened to his intentions to help him, and the rest of the villains be cured of their issues. Hearing this, Norman offers his help to the MCU Peter in curing himself and the other villains, especially Otto, before going back to their universes. Norman also told the MCU Peter that he's something of a scientist himself, which he said to his counterpart from his universe when they first met, and Otto knows what he can do. After MCU Peter's friends have left, Norman and the rest of the villains are set free from their prisons by Spider-Man and was picked up by his aunt May.

Helping MCU Peter Parker

Once arriving at a friend of the MCU Parker's apartment, Norman was amazed by the current technology in this universe as he checked out a robot hand. Norman then heard Doctor Octopus tell the MCU Peter of his doubts in his plan and was stunned to hear him say that he was going to kill them all. Had enough of Doctor Octopus' doubtful attitude and wanting Otto back, Norman was happy to hear that MCU Peter was going to work on curing his friend first. Norman followed the MCU Peter to the back room as he showed him a fabricator and was explained how it works.

While helping MCU Peter with Otto, Norman discovered that his friend made a chip that was designed to protect his higher brain function and prevent the tentacles' A.I. from controlling him. Norman was also explained by the MCU Peter that Otto's current chip was fried, and the tentacles were controlling his friend. Hearing this, Norman understood Otto's situation and worked with the MCU Peter to get his friend back in the right mind.

Seeing the MCU Peter characteristics, intelligence, and skills, Norman was impressed by him and noticed similarities to his counterpart from his universe in the young teenager. Also, Norman commented on the technology and the MCU Peter's intelligence, even offering the latter a job in Oscorp if he was willing to commute to another universe, as he watched him make the new chip for Otto. After making a new chip for Otto, Norman went to watch the MCU Peter put it on the back of his friend's neck and told him that Spider-Man's plan would work and to have faith. However, Norman was taken aback when Doctor Octopus reminded him of his actions that turned himself into a monster known as the Green Goblin.

After the MCU Peter installed the new chip onto Otto's neck, Norman became worried when his friend lost consciousness, but was in relief when he woke up. Norman called out to Otto in order to be sure if it was truly him and not Doctor Octopus. Hearing Otto's assurances that he was truly back to his real self again, Norman was relieved to have his friend back and excited that he decided to help him alongside the MCU Peter. Later, Norman was writing up ideas to make cures for himself and the other villains until Otto came to ask him how it would feel to be whole again as he told him that it was going to be great.

Green Goblin returns

While working on the cures, Norman and Otto see the MCU Peter getting up because of his spider sense being set off, as they became worried and followed him to the living room. However, little did the group know, Norman was being taken over by the Green Goblin again. Norman went another location in the living room while the Green Goblin tried to remain undetected. Unfortunately, the Green Goblin couldn't as the MCU Peter sensed his presence through his spider sense. Seeing that he had been caught, the Green Goblin came out as he commented the MCU Spider-Man's spider-sense.

The Green Goblin then taunted the MCU Parkers and Otto for thinking that he let them and Norman remove him from the scientists and his powers. When the MCU Spider-Man commented that he doesn't know him, the Green Goblin countered his statement as he figured him out, due to knowing his counterpart from his universe. The Green Goblin then convinced the rest of the uncured the villains to turn on the MCU Parkers and Otto. MCU Spider-Man engages the Green Goblin in a brutal fight through the building, where they are both initially equally matched, but Green Goblin gained the upper hand and successfully defeated the MCU Peter by crashing him down into the bottom of the building.

In the ensuing chaos, a news crew led by the MCU version of J. Jonah Jameson appear filming and reporting the event alongside the NYPD as MCU Jameson decided to continue ruining his Peter Parker's reputation, with the NYPD wanting to apprehend their Peter, despite him having done nothing to warrant an arrest. The Green Goblin proceeded to threaten MCU May that he will kill her Peter if she didn't hand over the antidote. However, this was all a distraction for the Green Goblin to get his glider to stab MCU May before using it to escape. Before leaving, he threw a pumpkin bomb at MCU May, which her Peter successfully diverted. The Green Goblin then left but not before throwing a pumpkin bomb to destroy several police cars alongside several NYPD officers who were dispatched to apprehend MCU Peter. Despite this, the wounds from his glider's stab resulted in MCU May's death. This, combined with MCU J. Jonah Jameson gaslighting him, sent MCU Peter into a depressed state and desiring revenge.

Getting cured

After the MCU Peter met the Raimiverse Peter (Norman's, Octavius's and Sandman's universes' Peter, who would be nicknamed Peter-Two) and Webbverse Peter (who would be nicknamed Peter-Three), the MCU Peter challenged the villains to a final showdown at the Statue of Liberty via video. Green Goblin sent Electro, Lizard and Sandman to deal with the Spider-Men. Later, after the other villains were cured, the Green Goblin appeared and tried to take the box that was containing the spell to send him and the cured villains back to their universes, but was stopped by Otto and Doctor Strange, the latter was set free from the mirror dimension.

However, the Green Goblin put one of his pumpkin bombs inside the box and exploded, which would lead to a crack in the Multiverse. As he was about to fight Spider-Man again, the Green Goblin was pleased that MCU Spider-Man was willing to kill him. They then had another fight, but Goblin found himself being brutally overpowered by the vengeful Peter. He was eventually on the verge of being impaled by his own glider, just like how his original version died in the original timeline of his universe. However, the Green Goblin/Norman were saved when his universes' Spider-Man, who knew that Norman's actions weren't his doing but his alter ego's, stopped him from killing. Goblin then stabbed his universes' Peter in the back, but the stabbing proved to be non-fatal. As Goblin laughed in triumph, the Webbverse Peter threw the antiserum (created by the three Peters') to the MCU Peter, who injected it in the Goblin, which eliminated the Green Goblin for good and allowed Norman to finally be freed of his alter ego.

Seeing the MCU Peter and his own lying wounded on the ground, a horrified Norman asked what he has done. When Doctor Strange was working on casting a new spell that would make everyone in the MCU forget their Peter Parker, the cured villains, Raimiverse and Webbverse Spider-Men were sent home just before the spell was completed, with Norman's fate changed.

New fate

This alternate version of Norman is returned to his universe, but he'd be part of a branched/alternate timeline of the Raimi universe, where he would not die fighting his Spider-Man. As Norman entered the MCU Universe with an intact suit and on his glider, this implies he was pulled prior to his final battle with his Spider-Man. In this case, the alternate Norman gets a second chance at life and would not be destined to die fighting Spider-Man like his original counterpart did in the original timeline. This also could mean that Harry does not die as well, which would give him the chance to live a normal life with his son.

Personalities

Norman Osborn's Personality

Norman Osborn is a confident, appealing, and full of integrity. While a caring dad to Harry, somehow, he completely ignores him at times and is incredibly always devoted to Oscorp. However, Norman does show a greed and misguided side to his personality as he'll stop at nothing to keep Oscorp from going out of business, which led him to develop a second personality. Although, Norman's greed and misguided traits could be from his own board of directors, especially when they decided to buy out Oscorp without telling him in order to make more money. Norman can sometimes be pushed around by his own board members and the military, as they put a lot of pressure on him, which could led to desperation to finish his work up as quickly as possible. However, despite his flaws, Norman deep down truly has a good heart as some of his intentions to those around him were well meaning.

Even though Harry apathetically thinks that his father only does everything for himself, Norman shows that despite him being shallow at times and even a bit heartless, he really does love his son. He only wishes for him to walk in his footsteps, which he does later on. Norman does support Harry as he came to his high school graduation and did show how proud he was of him. After his son tells his father about MJ and Peter's intimacy, Norman apologizes for not always being there for Harry, promising to be better, and the two share a meaningful hug. Norman also cares about those who are closest to him as he was shocked that his colleague and fellow scientist, Dr. Stromm, was killed, even though he caused his death while under the Green Goblin's control.

Norman took a quick liking to Peter Parker because of his intelligence and even offers some support for him, after his Uncle Ben was killed. Norman was extremely grateful to Peter for treating Harry like family and for helping him get through high school. Norman even offered Peter a job at Oscorp, after he got fired from a different one, due to his double life as Spider-Man, and respect his decision when he declined his offer. In addition, Norman was reluctant to hurt Peter when he found out that he's Spider-Man, which showed that he had come to see him as family just like Harry does. After revealing himself as the Green Goblin and before dying, Norman with complete trust in Peter had him promise not to tell Harry of his alter ego and the trouble he caused.

At first, Norman was unaware of the Green Goblin existences as he had no memory of his accident and actions while under his control, though the Green Goblin later accused him of always knowing. However, after the Oscorp unity day festival, Norman met the Green Goblin as he was in shock of what he had done while under his influences and remembered how he came to be, which led him to feel guilty for turning himself into a monster. Despite being terrified of what he had done as the Green Goblin, Norman was unable to stop him, due to the latter's strong control over his mind and actions, which led to him being manipulated and brainwashed by the Green Goblin into doing his bidding. As Norman continued to succumb to the Green Goblin's will, the more he lost himself.

In No Way Home, the alternate version of Norman was terrified of the alternate version of the Green Goblin and discovered his true colors as his alter ego wanted to cause chaos and ruled the world. Norman decided to stop the Green Goblin's plan as he attempted to get away from him by abandoning his glider and smashed his mask into pieces to ensure his alter ego didn't take control of him again. Norman also wanted to be normal again in order to get rid of the Green Goblin once and for all as he quickly went looking for his Spider-Man for help.

Norman was unaware of being in another universes at first as he became scared and confused of being in new surroundings. However, Norman's fragile state became worse when he found out that he lost everything, as his home had someone else living in it, no one had heard of Oscorp and Harry didn't exist, which broke him. Although, Norman cheered up as the MCU May Parker took him in and cared for him, as he was shown kindness for the first time in a long time.

Through the MCU May's influences, Norman rediscovered himself again and was given a chance to see life in an entirely different perspective. Norman also showed a selfless side in his character, as he offered his help to the MCU Peter Parker in curing a group of villains, especially his closest friend and fellow scientist Otto Octavius, of their own issues. Norman was also fascinated to find out that the Multiverse was real and amazed by the technology in MCU. Similar to his relationship with his Peter, Norman took an instant liking to his MCU counterpart for his intelligence and kindness.

When Norman was cured for good, he looked down to see his universes' Peter lying wounded on the ground, which horrified him and caused him to ask what he had done.

The Green Goblin's Personality

The Green Goblin is unlike Norman's persona, instead, it has a mind and will of its own. The origin points to the chemical drug that Norman took, which unknowingly sprung up the malicious, unhinged and delusional side of him. Goblin proves to be the more dominant personality, as he controls Norman's behavior and actions, and manipulates Norman into committing crimes. Signs of the Green Goblin controlling Norman while in public; such as insulting Aunt May, bashing Mary Jane, and even causing terror to his enemies or New York's lowly bystanders. In private, Norman was brainwashed by the Green Goblin in order to cause harm and destruction to those he think deserve it, creating danger for New York. He will stop at nothing to cause chaos and destruction.

However, the Green Goblin believed that he was helping Norman get power and remove anyone that stood in his way. Also, the Green Goblin despised Spider-Man as he sees him a threat and attempted to cause harm to him through those who are closest to him. Despite this, the Green Goblin did at first try to offer a partnership because he noticed that they weren't so different, but his hatred for him got worse when he refused.

In No Way Home, the Green Goblin saw the MCU a new world that needs conquering and wants to cause destruction in any possible way. He also couldn't stand Norman as he saw him a weak coward that was hiding from who he truly was and a puppet for his own needs. However, the Green Goblin tried to get Norman to cooperate with him, but he refused, which led him to go into hiding. While laying low and watching through Norman's eyes, the Green Goblin developed a strong dislike for the MCU Spider-Man because of the same characteristics he shares with his counterpart from his universe.

After seeing the MCU Spider-Man, Norman and Otto were close to removing him from the scientists mind for good, the Green Goblin came out of hiding to stop them from succeeding. Also, similar to what he did to his Spider-Man, the Green Goblin decided to target the MCU Peter through those who are closest to him by killing his Aunt May in order to turn him into a killer just like him, which he almost succeeded if not for his Spider-Man.

Abilities and equipment

In Theatrical Films

The Green Goblin pilots a high-tech jet glider, armed with seeking missiles, machine-guns, and launching trident-spears (he would later use one by hand to attempt to finish off Spider-Man). His suit consists of green armor that cybernetically connects his weapons and his glider by a remote-control gauntlet. He is seen using three varieties of his signature "Pumpkin Bombs" which the first is a grenade that can cause massive explosions enough to blast down buildings while leaving wildfires inside; the "Pumpkin Flashbangs" that releases a radioactive bright-flash to reduce a group of men to skeletons rather than stunning/disorienting them like traditional flashbangs; and the "Pumpkin Razor-bats" that sprout rotating wing-shaped razor blades when thrown, and were capable of flight and homing in on a target.

Rather than carrying a bike-messanger "Bag of Tricks" on his shoulder, the weapons are contained in the glider and are ejected individually out of their storage compartment in his arsen. His gauntlets contain a concealed "Knockout-gas" (originally "Laughing-gas" in the comics) that is released from the wrists.

Goblin Formula: The Goblin Formula is a form combat enhancement, designed by Oscorp for Military Use. According to Dr. Stromm, test subjects developed an 800% increase in strength, but also developed side-effects such as violence, aggression and insanity. The formula greatly enhanced Norman’s physical attributes to superhuman levels, however, it also created in Norman an insane and murderous alter known as the Green Goblin.

  • Superhuman Strength: Thanks to the "Goblin-serum", Norman possesses superhuman strength; he is able to easily overpower, lift and throw full-grown men. Immediately after receiving the formula, Norman was able to grab Dr. Stromm by the throat and throw him through a glass wall, he was also able to easily overpower a group of NYPD officers. Norman is also able to match Spider-Man’s strength; he was able to catch a punch from Spider-Man, and send him flying through the air with a single strike. Norman was also able to overpower Spider-Man in battle using his hand-to-hand combat (though Spider-Man was hurt). Norman’s strikes could also shatter the brick, and he could quickly and easily tear apart Spider-Man's web-walls; which are like a sticky alloy substance.
  • Superhuman Durability: Norman’s body is considerably stronger and tougher than that of a regular Human’s; he was able to endure high velocity impact traumas, as well as strikes from the Spider-Man practically unfazed. Norman was able to endure being knocked through the air Spider-Man, having a brick wall pulled down on him, and be aggressively beaten down by Spider-Man’s superhuman blows, and only sustain minor injuries (however, this may be partly due to the resilience of his armour). Despite his resilience, Norman could not survive the trauma of being impaled by his glider.
  • Superhuman Speed: Norman also possesses considerable superhuman speed; he was able to rapidly manoeuvre the Goblin Glider, and could keep up with Spider-Man in combat, allowing him to catch, block and dodge his attacks while also landing many powerful strikes of his own. However, he was not fast enough to evade his Goblin Glider, which ultimately resulted in his death.
  • Superhuman Agility: Norman’s agility, reflexes, balance and bodily coordination are enhanced far beyond the capabilities of any Human. Norman could easily perform acrobatic manoeuvres such as flips and rolls, he was also able to react fast enough to keep up with Spider-Man in combat; being able to dodge and match his blows, as well as throw him around with spins and twists. Norman could also rapidly and easily coordinate his body to expertly manoeuvre the goblin glider.

His armor protects him from majority of injuries so he's barely being hurt or damaged from fighting unlike Spider-Man. It's only damaged when Spider-Man brings down a brick wall which made his suit finally experience dents and scratches.

In No Way Home, the Green Goblin has a new retractable weapon called the "Arm-blade", it was featured during the final battle scene against both the MCU Spider-Man and the Raimi-verse Spider-Man.

In Video Games

In the Spider-Man 2002 tie-in game, the Green Goblin (Harry Osbourne) has an exclusive invention called the "Turbo Boots", the player activates this by holding the web-button to command Goblin to run super fast, leaving traces of small fire-tracks on the floor. The turbo run was added into the game so that the ones who play as Goblin can be able to do gameplay speed runs without web-zipping which is only exclusive when playing as Spider-Man.

In the crossover beat 'em up game Spider-Man: Friend or Foe (2007), the Goblins have "Electrical Gauntlets", much like in the comics.

Production

See also

Transparent Spider Logo
The Spider-Man Films wiki has a collection of images and media related to Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).

Trivia

  • The Green Goblin appeared in all three films in the trilogy, usually by the form of an illusion in the second and third film.
  • Green Goblin is one of the very few characters to be portrayed by the same actor in a different franchise. Willem Dafoe reprises the role of Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
  • In the original comics, Norman's transformation into the Green Goblin is a result of his son, Harry tampering with the Goblin Formula out spite because Harry was angry and resentful at his father for his emotional neglect of him for years, which resulted in the completed formula becoming unstable and exploding in Norman's face where he spent a week in the hospital recovering.
  • His appearance in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man series was fully green armor with Goblin mask. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, his appearance was loosely based on the unused Alex Ross design of the Goblin costume for the 2002 movie, as he wore a tattered purple hoodie (originally green), a brown satchel, and black goggles he took from Doc Ock to substitute for his broken helmet for the battle at Liberty Island.
  • In the Spider-Man movie game, the Green Goblin's death is less gruesome than in the movie. He is impaled in the stomach by his flying glider but falls on the ground with no injuries on himself. This is most likely due to computer limitations at the time.
    • Norman does say one more line before dying unlike in the movie, he tells Spider-Man to tell Harry that he's sorry.
    • He was the youngest graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He graduated when he was 18 years old.
  • Norman's Green Goblin mask somewhat resembles the head of Jet Jaguar from the Godzilla universe.


Raimi Film Series
Films: Spider-Man | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man 3
Characters: Peter Parker/Spider-Man | Mary Jane Watson | Harry Osborn | J. Jonah Jameson | Uncle Ben | Aunt May | George Stacy | Gwen Stacy | Robbie Robertson | Betty Brant | Curt Connors | Flash Thompson | Dr. Stromm | Mr. Ditkovich | Ursula Ditkovich | Maximillian Fargas | Henry Balkan | Rosalie Octavius | Hoffman | Bernard Houseman | Mr. Aziz | Bonesaw McGraw
Enemies: The Green Goblin | Doctor Octopus | The Sandman | New Goblin | Venom | The Carjacker
Locations: The Daily Bugle | Oscorp Technologies | Quest Aerospace | Osborn Penthouse | Goblin Lair
Video Games: Spider-Man | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man 3


Marvel Cinematic Universe
Films: Captain America: Civil War | Spider-Man: Homecoming | Avengers: Infinity War | Avengers: Endgame | Spider-Man: Far From Home | Spider-Man: No Way Home
Characters: Spider-Man | Captain America | Iron Man | Winter Soldier | Falcon | Happy Hogan | Pepper Potts | Aunt May | Ned Leeds | Liz Toomes | Flash Thompson | Aaron Davis | Michelle Jones | Doctor Octopus
Enemies: Vulture | Shocker | Jackson Brice | Tinkerer | Mysterio |Green Goblin | Electro | Lizard | Sandman
Locations: Avengers Facility | Avengers Tower | Midtown School of Science and Technology
Video Games:
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