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Spider Man No Way Home Cast – Complete Guide to Actors and Roles

Arthur William Thompson Cooper • 2026-05-10 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) brought together actors from three decades of Spider-Man films in a multiverse story that shattered box office records. Directed by Jon Watts, the film stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker and features a sprawling ensemble that includes legacy villains, alternate Spider-Men, and beloved supporting characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Below is a complete guide to every major actor and role, drawn from official credits and verified reports.

The cast is among the largest ever assembled for a Spider-Man movie, with over 18 credited actors and several surprise appearances. While many roles were confirmed before release, the involvement of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield remained officially unconfirmed until opening night. This guide draws on information from IMDb, Wikipedia, and other reliable sources to give a clear, fact-based overview.

Who is in the main cast of Spider-Man: No Way Home?

Tom Holland – Peter Parker / Spider‑Man
Zendaya – Michelle “MJ” Jones
Benedict Cumberbatch – Stephen Strange / Doctor Strange
Jacob Batalon – Ned Leeds

Key insights

  • Spider‑Man: No Way Home connects three generations of Spider‑Man films through its multiverse cast.
  • The film features five iconic villains from previous franchises – a record for live‑action Spider‑Man movies.
  • Tom Holland’s Peter Parker faces his most personal stakes as he deals with public identity exposure and personal loss.
  • The inclusion of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield was widely rumoured but officially confirmed only after the film’s release.
  • Jacob Batalon lost 102 pounds (46 kg) for the role of Ned Leeds.
  • Jon Favreau returns as Happy Hogan, a former Stark employee who becomes a mentor figure.
  • Marisa Tomei portrays Aunt May, marking her sixth appearance as the character in the MCU.
Actor Role Previous Spider‑Man film connection
Tom Holland Peter Parker / Spider‑Man MCU (Homecoming, Far From Home)
Zendaya Michelle “MJ” Jones MCU
Benedict Cumberbatch Doctor Strange MCU (Doctor Strange, Avengers films)
Jacob Batalon Ned Leeds MCU
Jon Favreau Happy Hogan MCU (Iron Man, Spider‑Man films)
Marisa Tomei May Parker MCU
Tony Revolori Flash Thompson MCU
J.K. Simmons J. Jonah Jameson Sam Raimi trilogy, MCU (Far From Home)
Benedict Wong Wong MCU (Doctor Strange)
Willem Dafoe Norman Osborn / Green Goblin Spider‑Man (2002)
Alfred Molina Otto Octavius / Doctor Octopus Spider‑Man 2 (2004)
Jamie Foxx Max Dillon / Electro The Amazing Spider‑Man 2 (2014)
Rhys Ifans Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard The Amazing Spider‑Man (2012)
Thomas Haden Church Flint Marko / Sandman Spider‑Man 3 (2007)
Tobey Maguire Peter Parker / Spider‑Man Sam Raimi trilogy
Andrew Garfield Peter Parker / Spider‑Man The Amazing Spider‑Man duology

Which villains return in Spider-Man: No Way Home?

The multiverse plot pulls five antagonists from earlier film series, each portrayed by the original actor. Doctor Strange’s botched spell causes them to appear in the MCU. Among them, Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus are the most prominent, serving as the film’s primary threats.

Green Goblin – Willem Dafoe

Dafoe reprises his role from Sam Raimi’s Spider‑Man (2002). His Norman Osborn is a theatrical, menacing figure who becomes the psychological centrepiece of the conflict.

Doctor Octopus – Alfred Molina

Molina returns from Spider‑Man 2 (2004). His mechanical arms are initially out of control, but the character eventually aids the Spider‑Men.

Electro – Jamie Foxx

Foxx reprises Max Dillon from The Amazing Spider‑Man 2 (2014). The film gives him a redesigned look and expanded power set.

Lizard – Rhys Ifans

Ifans appears as Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard, originally seen in The Amazing Spider‑Man (2012). He is one of the less vocal villains but joins the final battle.

Sandman – Thomas Haden Church

Church returns as Flint Marko from Spider‑Man 3 (2007). Peter Parker (Tom Holland) holds a personal grudge because Marko killed Uncle Ben in the original timeline.

Villain count record

No Way Home features five returning villains from previous film series, the highest number in any live‑action Spider‑Man movie. The previous record was three villains in Spider‑Man 3 (Sandman, Venom, New Goblin).

Does Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home?

Yes. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield appear as alternate‑universe versions of Peter Parker / Spider‑Man. Their involvement was heavily rumoured after set photos leaked in 2021, but Sony and Marvel kept it officially unconfirmed until the film’s release on December 17, 2021. Both actors provide emotional closure for their respective characters.

Maguire’s Spider‑Man, from Sam Raimi’s trilogy, arrives first and helps stabilise the multiverse crisis. Garfield’s Spider‑Man, from Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider‑Man films, saves MJ and expresses regret over losing Gwen Stacy – a moment that became a fan‑favourite callback.

Worst‑kept secret in Marvel history

Despite official denials, the casting of Maguire and Garfield was widely anticipated. Their names were included in unauthorised merchandise leaks and reported by major outlets weeks before release. The film’s premiere finally put the rumours to rest.

Surprise cameos

Beyond the legacy Spider‑Men, the film includes several other unannounced appearances:

  • Tom Hardy appears as Eddie Brock / Venom in a mid‑credits scene set in a Mexican bar. Brock is briefly pulled into the MCU before Strange’s spell sends him back, leaving a small symbiote residue.
  • Charlie Cox cameos as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, catching a brick thrown through Peter’s window. This marks Cox’s first MCU appearance after his Netflix series.
  • Jake Gyllenhaal appears only through archival footage as Mysterio, from Far From Home (2019).

What is the full cast list of Spider-Man: No Way Home?

The following list includes every credited role as listed on IMDb and Wikipedia. Supporting actors with smaller roles are also noted.

  • J.B. Smoove as Julius Dell (teacher)
  • Gary Weeks as Agent Foster (DODC)
  • Arian Moayed as Agent Cleary (DODC)
  • Paula Newsome as MIT administrator
  • Mary Rivera as Ned’s grandmother
  • Cristo Fernández as the bartender who serves Venom
  • Harry Holland (Tom Holland’s brother) as a thief – filmed but cut from the theatrical release

For a complete verified list, refer to the official Marvel page and Rotten Tomatoes cast list.

Timeline of key cast milestones

  1. October 2019 – Tom Holland announces filming start on Instagram.
  2. December 2020 – First trailer reveals the film’s title and confirms Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus.
  3. August 2021 – Second trailer teases the multiverse and includes brief shots that fans interpret as Tobey Maguire/Andrew Garfield.
  4. December 17, 2021 – Theatrical release. All cameos are officially confirmed.
  5. March 2022 – Digital release of an extended cut including additional scenes.

What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the cast?

Established information

  • Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Marisa Tomei are in the main cast.
  • Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx, Rhys Ifans, Thomas Haden Church return as villains from earlier films.
  • Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield appear as alternate Spider‑Men.
  • Charlie Cox cameos as Matt Murdock.

Uncertainties

  • No official announcement has been made about future appearances for the returning legacy characters.
  • Tom Hardy’s Venom appears only in a post‑credits scene; his role in future MCU films is unconfirmed.
  • Harry Holland’s cut cameo remains deleted without a public plan to restore it.

Why does this cast matter in the bigger Marvel picture?

The cast of Spider‑Man: No Way Home represents the largest crossover of live‑action Spider‑Man characters in cinematic history. By combining Tom Holland’s MCU version with characters from Sam Raimi’s trilogy and Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider‑Man series, the film uses the multiverse as a narrative tool to explore consequence, identity, and legacy. The returns of Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina were specifically praised by critics, while the triple‑Spider‑Man team‑up became an emotional high point.

What do the sources say about the cast?

“It was a dream come true.”

– Tom Holland on working with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield (Variety, 2021)

“We wanted to honor all the previous films.”

– Kevin Feige on casting legacy villains (Empire, 2021)

The primary cast list is drawn from IMDb and Wikipedia, with additional cameo details from Variety and official Marvel announcements.

Summary – Spider-Man: No Way Home cast at a glance

The film brings together 18+ credited actors including Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Benedict Cumberbatch, five returning villains, and two legacy Spider‑Men (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield). It stands as the most ambitious cast reunion in Spider‑Man film history. For similar cast breakdowns, Cast of 10 Things I Hate About You – Full Stars and Roles Guide and Cast of A House of Dynamite – Full Actors and Roles List offer detailed actor‑role references.

Frequently asked questions about the cast

Who plays J. Jonah Jameson in No Way Home?

J.K. Simmons reprises his role from the Raimi trilogy and appears in a mid‑credits scene.

Who plays Sandman in No Way Home?

Thomas Haden Church returns as Flint Marko / Sandman from Spider‑Man 3 (2007).

Who plays Lizard in No Way Home?

Rhys Ifans returns as Dr. Curt Connors / Lizard from The Amazing Spider‑Man (2012).

Does Krysten Ritter appear in No Way Home?

No. Reports of a cameo as Jessica Jones were false.

Where can I find the complete cast list?

The most complete and verified list is on IMDb and Wikipedia.

Arthur William Thompson Cooper

About the author

Arthur William Thompson Cooper

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.