| Norman Osborn | |
|---|---|
| Sam Raimi's Spider-Man and Marvel Cinematic Universe character | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Green_Goblin_in_Spider-Man_(2002_film).png) Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn / Green Goblin in Spider-Man (2002) | |
| First appearance | Spider-Man (2002) |
| Last appearance | Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) |
| Based on | |
| Adapted by | David Koepp |
| Portrayed by | Willem Dafoe |
| Voiced by |
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| In-universe information | |
| Alias |
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| Species | Human mutate |
| Title | Doctor |
| Occupation | CEO of Oscorp Scientist |
| Affiliation | Oscorp Industries |
| Weapon |
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| Children | Harry Osborn (son) |
| Nationality | American |
Norman Virgil Osborn is a character portrayed by Willem Dafoe in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man film trilogy and later the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, Osborn first appeared in Spider-Man (2002) as a scientist and the CEO of Oscorp who tests an unstable performance-enhancing serum on himself, developing superhuman strength, but at the same time, a crazed alternate personality known as the Green Goblin (or simply The Goblin). The Green Goblin takes control of Norman, and compels him to commit crimes. He uses advanced Oscorp armor and equipment to terrorize New York City and battle the local hero Spider-Man, whom Goblin would discover is the secret identity of Peter Parker. However, during his final battle against Spider-Man, he reveals his identity, and both Osborn and Goblin ultimately die when they are impaled by Goblin's own glider. A hallucination of Osborn haunts his son Harry in Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007).
Osborn and Goblin return in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) when a magical spell gone wrong breaks open the multiverse and causes past versions of them from a point prior to their deaths, to be transported to an alternate reality (MCU universe). The alternate version of Goblin takes over the alternate Osborn's mind, torments that reality's Peter Parker and kills his aunt May. After a brutal fight with Parker on the Statue of Liberty, Osborn is cured of the Goblin identity and returned to a branched/alternate timeline his universe.
Dafoe's portrayal has been praised by critics and audiences, being considered one of the most iconic and popular villains in superhero films. Dafoe and co-stars Tobey Maguire and J. K. Simmons held the Guinness World Record for "the longest career as a live-action Marvel character" before Patrick Stewart retook the record for reprising his role as Charles Xavier in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). This record was once again rescinded and given to Hugh Jackman for his role in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) as the second titular character and Wesley Snipes's Blade. Jackman had also held the record before Dafoe and Stewart for appearing in Logan (2017).
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