Green Goblin Actor Willem Dafoe Finds Norman Osborn More Intriguing Than His Alter Ego

In a recent interview with Empire Online, Willem Dafoe discussed the evolution of the character and reflected on how ‘No Way Home’ leaned into the duality of Osborn and the Goblin in a way that enriched both sides of the performance. “It was just a pleasure to return to that character,” Dafoe shared.

He talked about his love for how the original Spider-Man balanced goofy comedy, drama, and action within scenes. However, for him, the real meat of the role has always been Norman Osborn. “Everybody concentrates on the Green Goblin, but that’s mostly action stuff. I like doing that, and I think I can do it gracefully,” Dafoe explained.

“But the real substance in the first one is the guy without the mask, Norman Osborn. Those are the meaty scenes.” Additionally, the actor reflected on his infamous death scene in the original ‘Spider-Man’, where the Goblin is impaled by his own glider, calling it a “comic-accurate” ending. Dafoe admitted he gets a kick out of his numerous on-screen deaths across his career. “It raises the stakes,” he said. 

Will The Green Goblin Return In ‘Spider-Man 4’?

Speculation about Willem Dafoe’s return to the Marvel universe has been rampant since ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Moreover, it’s safe to assume that fans eager to see Norman Osborn wreak havoc once again. In a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Dafoe teased the possibility of reprising the role. 

When asked about the potential for Norman’s return in ‘Spider-Man 4‘, the actor did not confirm or deny anything. “We’ll see. We’ll see [Laughs]. I could come back,” he stated. His coy response has only fueled excitement among fans. Additionally, the actor’s love for the character is evident, and his portrayal of the Green Goblin has set an incredibly high bar.