Spider-Man: No Way Home
May ’s demise was a bosom - wrenching moment , made even more poignant by her surrender Spider - Man ’s touch " Great Power , Great Responsibility " job . Her death serve as a spirit - changing moment for her nephew , shaping him into the more mature crime fighter seen at the end of the film . No Way Home ’s closing scene establish Peter living alone , barren of any Stark tech or loved ones to slant on . The succession laid the groundwork for exciting new storyline forSpider - Man 4and open up the door for the MCU to search a more amusing - accurate , down - on - his - luck Peter Parker .
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Spider - Man’sNo Way Hometragedies — particularly Aunt May ’s death — were necessary for the hero to evolve . However , though own someone close to him die was pivotal to produce that change , May should not have been the one to make the ultimate sacrifice . Her dying was one of the movie ’s most impactful sequences ; yet , it also likely erased the possibility of her living up to the full potential drop of her already standout MCU personation .
The MCU Finally Did Something New With Aunt May
Aunt May had a very specific portrayal in strip and alive - action medium prior to Marisa Tomei claim on the role inCaptain America : Civil War . Comics typically draw the character as an former lady in unceasing pauperism of medical attention . That loop carry over intoSam Raimi’sSpider - Mantrilogyand , to a lesser , extent into Marc Webb’sThe Amazing Spider - Manseries . For the most part , she was used as a reference of struggle for Peter , as he juggle looking after her while go on up with his superhero and work duties . The MCU , on the other hand , twitch that on its head .
May was unseasoned , more mired in Peter ’s life , and did n’t need to be constantly saved or helped by him . Instead , she was the one who helped him , guiding him through the trials and trial of gamey school ’s social environment and serving as his excited pillar . Most significantly , she advised and supported him through his superhero endeavour . The MCU made Aunt Mayfeel like an active parental figure for Peter . Having her as a salubrious and physically strong grownup also allow for Spider - Man to really find like a kid for the first prison term on blind , which lead toHomecomingandFar From Home ’s lighthearted tones .
Her Death Means Interesting Potential Stories Can’t Happen
The uniqueness of the MCU ’s Aunt May allowed for many alluring potential storylines beyond what was explore in theHomecomingtrilogy . With her dead , though , such stories can no longer happen . Admittedly , May living throughNo Way Homewould have likely intend being included in Doctor Strange ’s head - wiping spell . But , as was shortly hint at in the motion picture , MJ seems to fairly commemorate Peter , meaning May would have finally remembered him as well , thus tolerate her to continue being a part of his lifetime . In fact , her remember her nephew could have been the basis for an emotionally rich level in a futureSpider - Manfilm .
One of the most compelling expression of Marvel Studios ' iteration of May Parker was her being an participating part of Spider - Man ’s superhero activities . While initially shocked by the revelation of Peter ’s alter ego , she learn to be another " Person in the Chair " for him , as designate inFar From Home . It was a refreshing glide path to the case that , had it continued , could have develop in interesting way as Spider - Man grow into his use as a superhero and May learned the rophy of crime - fighting along with him . Furthermore , withPeter out of school and confront the strugglesof adulthood , May would have likely served as a support system for him . She could have guided him through life as a young adult , something that in turn , would have probably lead to touching moments akin to her teaching Peter to tie a linkup inHomecoming .
Peter Parker Needed To Lose Someone To Grow — But It Should Have Been Happy
May ’s death was a pivotal step in Spider - Man ’s character reference organic evolution , and it served as a complete reminder of the stakes inSpider - Man : No Way Home . The shock of her demise makes it clear that someone close to the web - slinger require to meet their end in the movie , but rather of May , the celluloid should have killed off another meaningful digit in Peter ’s liveliness : Happy Hogan . Peter and Happy ’s relationship has been one of the most interesting ones in the MCU . When the two fulfill inSpider - Man : Homecoming , Happy did n’t trust Parker nor think very highly of him . However , he grew to appreciate Peter for who he was , and a strong bond paper developed between them . Hogan became a mentor to Spider - Man , even stay by his side following Tony ’s decease . ByNo Way Home , it was remove the two handle profoundly for each other . As such , the MCU’sSpider - Mantrilogy found Happy as someone whose death would greatly impact Peter . Admittedly , it would have certainly not been as painful for him asAunt May ’s death , but it would have probably prompted the same ontogenesis , permit Peter to get the picture the price of being a superhero .
The departure between Happy and May is that the former ’s story could have reached its innate conclusion inSpider - Man : No Way Home . Happy ’s MCU career spans the entirety of the enfranchisement , from 2008’sIron Manto Spider - Man ’s third standalone escapade . His seven feature - film appearances laid out a full bow for him , take him from Tony Stark ’s no - nonsense bodyguard to a full - fledged character who aided in various superhero conflicts and in the end lost his best friend . Him dying inNo Way Homewould have represented a meet end to his journey . May , on the other manus , had a significant amount of way to spring up in the MCU and much more to offer to Spider - Man ’s mythos . Aunt May ’s death inSpider - Man : No Way Homegave Peter the dignity and excited burden he lacked in prior MCU entries . Yet , such impingement came at a cost : her passing game also prevented a continued geographic expedition of one of the most interesting interpretation of the theatrical role , and her absence will likely be felt throughout Peter ’s term of office in the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
