Read and Download the 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' Screenplay
Read one of the most fun screenplays of the year.
Did you see Spider-Man: No Way Home in theaters? It seemed like everyone has, with the movie soaring over a billion dollars worldwide. Aside from all the amazing filmmaking wins on the screen, it's magic how the screenplay came together.
If you haven't seen the movie, know that we'll be talking extensively about spoilers here, so come back when you've seen it.
Everyone else, we'll cover three lessons you can use from this script in your own writing. The feature was written by franchise veterans Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. They took us on an exciting ride that contained twists, turns, and some real risks.
Read and download the Spider-Man: No Way Home screenplay!
Three Lessons for the Spider-Man: No Way Home Screenplay
1. Raise the Stakes
In the past, many superhero movies have failed to raise the stakes.
It's always about the world, but nothing on a personal level. This movie was able to raise both the personal stakes and the world's stakes. We see the universe fracturing, and also we see Peter's social life fracturing. His existence is directly responsible for his friends missing college and his family being in constant danger. We can feel the pressure on the character and we are worried too.
See if you can make the audience feel the stakes are palpable.
2. Subvert Tropes
One of the things we've talked about is just how many Spider-Man movies we've gotten. I think we're at around eight of them. There are so many characters and tropes and expectations.
What this movie did was bring people back from those older movies. In resurrecting the characters, it changed the way we think about them. Doc Ock became a hero. The Green Goblin had to be rehabilitated. This subversion of how we've seen heroes deal with villains, and how villains are punished, was a really smart way to get people invested.
3. Switch Up Everything
One of the most powerful parts of the story was the ending. It resets the world so people have no idea who Peter Parker or Spider-Man actually is, meaning our lead has no friends and no family. It also killed off Aunt May, in a universe that was hell-bent on making Uncle Ben expendable.
This reset of the world not only opens up all the stories for sequels but also character development. Giving Peter Parker a blank slate means he can go anywhere and be with anyone, leaving the future completely unpredictable.