| “ | I chose my path, you chose the path of the hero. And the people of this city found you amusing for a time. But 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 to Spider-Man |
| “ | You've spun your last web, Spider-Man! If you had not been so selfish, your little girlfriend's death would have been quick and painless. But now that you really pissed me off... ...I'm gonna finish her nice and slow. MJ and I, we're gonna have a hell of a time!!! | „ |
| ~ Green Goblin to Spider-Man |
The Green Goblin is the main antagonist in the 2002 film Spider-Man. He is Spider-Man's arch enemy, and as such it is no surprise that when the film was released, he was the chosen villain. Though still very much a villain, he has a few differences from his mainstream counterpart.
He is portrayed by Willem Dafoe, who also portrays John Geiger.
History
Norman Osborn first appears as the owner of Oscorp and the father of Harry Osborn. He is initially pleasant and supporting of Peter's friendship and scientific potential, also wanting his own son to recognize his own potential. Unfortunately, his company begins to struggle, with Osborn's promised performance-enhancing serum having been hit with setbacks, not the least of which being that rodents it was tested on displayed violence, aggression, and insanity. Upon being told that his funding is on the verge of being cut, Norman becomes desperate and ultimately tests the serum on himself. The process drives him mad and he promptly murders his own scientist Doctor Stromm. He wakes up afterwards in his home amnesiac and sick.
Later, Oscorp's primary rival suffers a bombing attack, unknowingly caused by Osborn using some of his own inventions. Later, Osborn learns that his Board is expecting his resignation. Enraged at being forced out of his own company, Osborn again becomes the Green Goblin and murders the board members, also first encountering Spider-Man, who he becomes intrigued by. Waking up the next morning, Osborn at last realizes what he is doing but succumbs to the influence of his malevolent and sadistic other half. Attacking Spider-Man, he tries to convince him to join his cause, but is later rejected.
"I could squash you like a bug right now"
As time passes, Norman begins to lose himself more and more to the Green Goblin half inside him, attacking and threatening May Parker to spite Spider-Man and also let him know that he is aware of his secret identity. The two's feud comes to a head when Green Goblin abducts Mary Jane and threatens to kill her, forcing Spider-Man to choose between her or a sky-cab full of innocent civilians, including children. Spider-Man however, is able to save both the sky-cab and Mary Jane, assisted by civilians who attack Green Goblin and condemn him for his threatening children's lives. Enraged, Green Goblin takes Spider-Man to a deserted area where their battle resumes. Green Goblin savagely beats Spider-Man and vows to make Mary Jane suffer as punishment for Spider-Man's "really pissing him off". However, this threat only succeeds in invigorating Spider-Man, who manages to defeat Green Goblin. Green Goblin finally unmasks himself as Norman Osborn, who begs for forgiveness from a horrified Spider-Man by saying 'be a son to me now'. Unfortunately, the Green Goblin's hold on Norman is strong enough for Norman attempting to skewer Spider-Man from behind with his glider. Alerted to it by his Spider-Sense, Spider-Man moves out of the way and Norman is impaled by his own glider. Freed from the Green Goblin's control, Norman begs Peter never to tell Harry about his crimes, right before he finally dies.
Spider-Man takes Norman's corpse back to the Osborn mansion and leaves, but not before Harry spots him with his father's body. At Norman’s funeral, Harry vows to exact revenge on Spider-Man, believing him responsible for killing his father, and asserts that Peter is all he has left.
Though deceased, the malevolent half of Norman Osborn would live on as a figment of Harry Osborn's imagination, goading him to continue his father's legacy and seek vengeance on Spider-Man. However, Harry soon learns about the true circumstances behind his father's death and abandons his vendetta against Spider-Man.
Trivia
- After becoming insane and gaining his malevolent and sadistic other half, Norman becomes the Dragon to himself, since no one knows that Norman is the Green Goblin (at least until the climax when he reveals himself to Spider-Man).
Quotes
- "Here's the real truth: there are eight million people in this city, and the teeming masses exist for the sole purpose of lifting the few exceptional people on to their shoulders. You, me, we're exceptional. I could squash you like a bug right now. But I'm offering you a choice: join me! Imagine what we could accomplish together...what we could create. Or we could destroy! Cause the deaths of countless innocents in selfish battles again and again and again until we're both dead! Is that what you want? Think about it hero!"-Green Goblin attempting to convince Spider-Man to join him.
- "Misery, misery, misery that's what you've chosen. I offered you friendship, and you spat in my face!"-Green Goblin as he attacks and beats Spider-Man.
- "God-speed Spider-Man"-Green Goblin right before he's killed by his own glider.
- "Peter...don't tell Harry."-Norman Osborn's last words before his demise.
- "Finish it! Finish it!"- Green Goblin telling Aunt May to finish her prayer as he attacks her at her own home.
- "Are you in, or are you out?"- Green Goblin to Spider-Man about the choice of joining him or not.
Gallery
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