Beyond The Spider-Verse Could Redeem The Spider-Man Villain Who Became A Joke In 2024 (2024)

One Spider-Man villain became a laughing-stock in 2024, but Sony's upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse provides the perfect opportunity for him to receive redemption. Sony's animated Spider-Verse franchise has comprised some of the most successful superhero movies of all time, which is a vast juxtaposition to Sony's live-action Marvel movies, taking place separate to the MCU. Most recently, Sony's Madame Web has been regarded as one of the worst superhero flicks ever, but the reviled movie's wasted characters could have brighter futures elsewhere.

While Madame Web's cast included some exciting Spider-Man-related characters from Marvel Comics, none were really done justice in the 2024 movie. Perhaps most jarringly, Tahar Rahim's Ezekiel Sims was featured as a lackluster villain to Dakota Johnson's Cassandra Webb. Ezekiel Sims is a complex and layered character in the comics, but his live-action debut in Madame Web was completely fumbled, but this interesting Spider-Man character could still see redemption thanks to Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse's upcoming storyline.

Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse Can Redeem Ezekiel Sims After Madame Web

As a key player in Marvel Comics' Spider-Verse storylines, Ezekiel Sims would be a fantastic addition to Sony's Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. Miles Morales' recent adventure in 2023's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse expanded the franchise's massive multiversal storyline, and this kind of epic scale certainly constitutes the introduction of even more characters in its much anticipated sequel. This would present the chance for a more comic-accurate version of Ezekiel Sims to make his big-screen debut, redeeming him after his Madame Web mistakes.

During Marvel Comics' Spider-Verse event in 2014, several different versions of Ezekiel Sims were introduced, all as allies and mentors to their respective Peter Parkers. Sims deserves this more-faithful adaptation in Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, as he has seldom been seen as an outright villain as he was depicted in Madame Web. Ezekiel Sims should become a steadfast mentor to Miles Morales during his battle against the terrifying Spot, and Across the Spider-Verse perfectly set the stage for this kind of dynamic to emerge in the sequel.

Beyond The Spider-Verse Is The Perfect Place To Show What Ezekiel Sims Is Really Like

In many Marvel Comics stories, Ezekiel Sims teaches the young Peter Parker about the concept of spider totems, and aids Spider-Man during his battle against the multiversal villain Morlun. Madame Web failed to showcase this more-compassionate side of Ezekiel Sims, as he was instead transformed into an egotistical and self-obsessed villain, rather than someone willing to take new Spider-People under his wing and better prepare them for their superhero careers. Madame Web​​​​​​​ removed a lot of Sims' stronger Marvel Comics qualities, but Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse could return them.​​​​​​​

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse could see a more comic-accurate Ezekiel Sims become an ally to, or even a member of, Gwen Stacy's new Spider-Person team. He could aid in the rescue of Miles Morales from Earth-42, help fight back against Miguel O'Hara's Spider-Man 2099, and even aid in the final battle against the Spot. This storyline would allow Ezekiel Sims to receive full redemption after Madame Web, as Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse could feature him actually fighting to save the multiverse, rather than just fighting to save his own skin.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse

Not Yet Rated

Animation

Action

Adventure

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is the direct continuation of 2023's Across the Spider-Verse, and is the third film in the Miles Morales animated Spider-Man franchise. Miles continues his interdimensional journey to change the fates of those he loves while finding his own path to become a Spider-Man.

Director

Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson

Franchise(s)

Spider-Man

prequel(s)

Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse , Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse