Exploring the Impact of Norman Osborn’s Cure on Spider-Man 3

The Spider-Man 3 narrative is poised to be profoundly different in an alternate universe where Norman Osborn was cured of being the Green Goblin. This scenario, intricately influenced by the No Way Home (2021) spectacle, brings forth myriad possibilities for the triumvirate, including Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and the Green Goblin character himself. Let's delve into how this alternative timeline could reshape the final battle and the overall narrative.

The Butterfly Effect: Normandy's Resurgence

The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has long established that time travel creates branching timelines. In the No Way Home film, the Green Goblin’s return to the Spidey universe would initiate a new wave of temporal occurrences. Once Osborn is returned to his original timeline, multiple new universes would branch off, each with its unique impacts on the forthcoming Spider-Man 3 storyline.

Norman, still enrobed in his Green Goblin suit and rampant with mental instability, re-emerges into a world where the Oscorp board members are still murdered, and Peter Parker—now the Spider-Man—does not accept the Goblin’s partnership offer. This pivotal moment sets the stage for a different series of events that could dramatically alter the course of the final battle.

The Departure and Re-emergence: A Parallel Universe Event

Based on the clues provided in the original narrative and the cinematic universe's peculiarities, the exact moment when Norman was extracted from his timeline could be the night he attacked Aunt May. This assumption provides a coherent and complex scenario for the new timeline.

On Thanksgiving, Norman learns Peter's secret, setting the stage for his subsequent actions. By the time he is extracted, Norman is still battling the Goblin's influence, likely on his way toward Aunt May. This moment aligns with the timeline's divergence, where Peter and his loved ones (including MJ and Aunt May) are spared direct harm from the Goblin debut.

Impact on Spider-Man and His Connections

Spider-Man 1

Norman remains Oscorp's CEO after his outburst at Thanksgiving, maintaining his cover and mentorship role towards Peter. The stress between Harry and MJ diminishes due to Peter's stability, preserving their friendship without Peter being blamed. MJ's acknowledgment of her feelings for Peter lags, but she eventually realizes her true feelings. Aunt May and MJ are not threatened, allowing Peter to openly express his love, and consequently, they become a couple. Norman remains a significant mentor and confidant to Peter, acting as a sounding board for his activities. Harry and Norman reconnect, resetting their relationship with reduced pressure, and Harry abandons the New Goblin and drunken lifestyle.

Spider-Man 2

MJ's support strengthens Peter's mental and financial stability, allowing him to provide a better life, even entering college with improved prospects. Peter, MJ, and Harry maintain a stable friendship environment without the toxic influence of the previous timeline. With Norman and Dr. Octavius’s knowledge, Peter navigates Doctor Octavius' projects more successfully, mitigating the tragic events of Spider-Man 2.

Spider-Man 3

The Gwen Stacy kiss remains less conflicted, given MJ's stronger bond with Peter. Eddie Brock continues his antagonistic behavior, but Peter's improved support network makes it less likely he would become Venom. Peter might not work at the Daily Bugle, leading to better security and opportunities. The symbiote's arrival is less fraught with conflict, possibly due to the improved circumstances.

Given these divergences in the timeline, the final confrontation with Venom and the Green Goblin is significantly altered. Without the venomous alliance and the New Goblin threat, the groundwork for the final battle is markedly different. Norman, now re-imbued with his Goblin technologies, and Dr. Octavius, a living genius with enhanced abilities, provide Spider-Man with formidable allies. However, it is highly probable that the final battle is avoided altogether.

Spider-Man, with his mentor's wisdom and his friends' support, pulls the symbiote onto the next rocket launch, thus neutralizing the threat. This outcome ensures a more peaceful resolution than the original narrative, making the final showdown (if present) an entirely different affair.

While this speculative analysis offers an engaging glimpse into the potential of Spider-Man 3 in a different reality, it highlights the intricate interplay of characters and events influenced by the time-travel anomaly in No Way Home.