Discuss: Uncle Ben’s Original Killer is Returning for ‘Spider-Man 4′

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 22, 2009

Why is he mugging that Number 4?

For the three of you that haven’t seen Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man flicks, I know you’re probably wondering who would want to kill a sweet old, rice company mascot. For the rest of you, you’re probably wondering the infinitely more troubling conundrum of how the hell they are going to bring back the original killer back into Spider-Man 4 after muddling the story up in Spider-Man 3.

SuperHeroHype is reporting that Michael Papajohn, the actor who played the thug who kills Uncle Ben (at least until we find out that it’s Flint Marko that really kills Ben?), spoke at Wizard World Philadelphia and said that his character would be returning for the next film.

There’s obviously a few possibilities:

  • He’s coming back to shoot more flashback sequences that will further illuminate his and Marko’s role in Ben’s death
  • He’s coming back to reveal that Flint Marko wasn’t actually the killer (aka to restore the original storyline)
  • He’s coming back to play a much bigger role, perhaps as a villain
  • He’s coming back to look remorseful after the killing, turn completely emo and dance in a jazz club

Of course, in the comic book, a robber named Carradine breaks into the Parker home looking for loot that was left there long ago (and long ago eaten by vicious, literally money-hungry silverfish) when Uncle Ben confronts him.

I don’t want to believe that Sam Raimi would be daft enough to re-change the story again. Getting more convoluted does not undo the damage from the original confusing switch. But, hey, it could happen right?

And is there any chance they’d really develop that thug into a true villain like Scorpion or Chameleon?

What do you think?


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  • 7ruth
    He's Carnage, 'nuff said.
  • "He’s coming back to look remorseful after the killing, turn completely emo and dance in a jazz club"

    Oh come on, who'd be stupid enough to put something like that in a Spider-man movie?
  • I'm Voting for that one.
  • If he does come back, he should be The Scorpion. That would be cool to see onscreen and provide a nice foil to Spiderman. But they shouldn't keep messing with Uncle Ben's death to try to elicit more sympathy from the viewers. Not every bad guy needs to be personally connected to Peter Parker. So far the best villain in the series (Doc Ock) has been the one who's LEAST connected to him.
  • Cole_Abaius
    Amen, my friend. Couldn't have said it better myself.
  • Why does Uncle Ben need to be brought up ALL the time. Sorry old uncle but he'd be over it by now, I mean not to be harsh but time heals all wounds.

    Anyway they don't even mention his parents! Why not cover them and forget the grandfather.
  • Chris
    bring him back maybe as Carnage?
  • Steven
    Maybe Chameleon is the bad guy (played by *insert actor here*), and he just uses Unlce Ben's killer's persona to mess with Peter's head.
  • Guest
    Uhhh, yeah, "that thug" died onscreen. He fell out of a window. Howz he gonna "come back" from that?

    It's a flashback.
  • Philip
    That picture looks like Robert DeNiro
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