Understanding Electro's Summoning in Spider-Man: No Way Home

The inclusion of Electro in Spider-Man: No Way Home has ignited much debate and discussion. Many fans have questioned why Electro, a powerful and recognizable adversary from the Spider-Man universe, was summoned by Dr. Strange through a spell that specifically targets those who know Peter Parker is Spider-Man. This article delves into the possible in-universe explanations and theories surrounding this intriguing plot element.

Theoretical Explanations and Evidence

According to the spell described in the film, it clearly targets those who know Peter Parker is Spider-Man, not those who only suspect it. This distinction is crucial in understanding why Electro may have been summoned despite the fact that he does not have a deep personal connection with Peter Parker.

Electro's Interaction with Gwen Stacy: In the Amazing Spider-Man 2 film, during the final battle, Gwen Stacy calls out to Peter saying his name. This moment is significant because it slips through the spell's filtering mechanism. It's possible that Electro, in his knocked-out state, overheard Gwen's call and recognized the name, thus fulfilling the condition of knowing Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

A Closer Look at The Amazing Spider-Man 2

In the 2014 film The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Electro interacts with several characters, including Peter Parker himself. At one point, Peter manages to knock out Electro temporarily in their final confrontation. This moment coincides with Gwen Stacy's arrival at the power plant, where she calls out to Peter by name. If Electro were in a state where he could only hear, even if momentarily knocked out, it's entirely possible that he heard Gwen's call and recognized the name "Peter." This exposure would have satisfied the spell's requirement of knowing Peter Parker as Spider-Man.

Harry Osborn and Electro's Conversations: Another factor that adds to the complexity is the conversation between Electro and Harry Osborn, which is off-screen. Harry, who knows Peter Parker's connection to Spider-Man, might have talked about Peter's actions and abilities. This conversation, albeit brief, could have provided Electro with enough information to realize that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

Electro's Limited Knowledge

It's important to note that Electro's knowledge of Peter Parker's identity is limited. His understanding of Spider-Man is based on the fact that Peter Parker possesses the abilities and photographs related to Spider-Man, but he is not aware of Peter's face.
This partial knowledge still aligns with the requirements of the spell, making Electro a valid target despite the loose ends that still need to be tied up in the narrative.

The Question of Venom's Absence

Another aspect of the equation that confounds fans is the absence of Venom in the spell's resultant summonings. Spider-Man 3 establishes Eddie Brock's knowledge of Peter Parker's identity. It logically follows that Venom, being Eddie Brock's symbiote alter ego, should have been summoned as well. However, Venom's limitations within the multiverse spell raise interesting questions about who was and wasn't included. It might be a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to avoid overpopulating Midtown Manhattan with too many adversaries from different universes.

Conclusion

The summoning of Electro in Spider-Man: No Way Home is a complex plot element that requires a combination of in-universe logic and fan theories. While Electro's knowledge of Peter Parker is limited, it's sufficient to satisfy the spell's criteria. The presence of other characters, such as Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn, further enhances the plausibility of Electro's summoning. The absence of Venom, while intriguing, may be a narrative choice designed to keep the focus on core characters and conflicts.

The spell's mechanism and the unique circumstances surrounding Electro's inclusion offer a rich ground for further discussion and analysis, inviting fans to speculate and engage with the intricate storytelling of Spider-Man: No Way Home.