The J. Jonah Jameson Story the MCU Needs to Use for ‘Spider-Man 4’

by Josh Ramos · February 6, 2022

With the unbridled success of Spider-Man: No Way Home leaving little doubt about the continued partnership between Sony and Marvel, we discuss the little-known J. Jonah Jameson Story the MCU needs to use for Spider-Man 4.

In the world of Spider-Man, there are seemingly iconic characters everywhere you turn; from the friendly neighborhood hero himself to his massive rogue’s gallery of menacing villains, to the alternate universe versions of the character that have spawned their own live-action film franchises.

Source: Marvel Studios/ Sony Pictures

Yet, despite his continued use for comedic relief in various Spider-Man stories, there are few more iconic characters in the Spider-Man universe than that angry, loud, and a rather grumpy boss we’ve all come to love: J. Jonah Jameson.

We all know of his angry, loud, and rather grumpy demeanor, but how much really is there to the long-running character that has gone from arch-nemesis to beloved ally, of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man?

Source: Marvel

We’re making the case as to why the iconic multi-media mogul should be explored in the upcoming sequel to Spider-Man: No Way Home.

One of the most adored and widely praised explorations into the Spider-Man character comes in the form of the 1994 Animated Series, simply titled, Spider-Man.

Source: Marvel

It gives fans all of the best aspects of the comic book character, while never shying away from the daily struggle of Peter Parker, or the vastness of the Marvel universe.

There is one episode, however, that delves deeper into the story of the abrasive Jameson, and it is a story that may just be perfect for the MCU’s incarnation of the character.

Source: Marvel Studios/ Sony Pictures

In the Spider-Man animated series, J. Jonah Jameson is not only the head of the Daily Bugle, he is a well-known television personality behind the successfully J3 Studios; not unlike the character that appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

In the episode titled, “Sting of the Scorpion,” Jameson is committed to finding out just how Peter Parker gets such good pictures of the wall-crawler and is even more committed to using Parker to unmask this lawless vigilante.

Source: Marvel

Due to the obvious stresses against Spider-Man, he decides, once and for all, to give Jameson the warning he won’t forget; berating the television personality in his office, with the very firm warning to leave him alone, or else.

What Spider-Man does know, is that this warning triggers a traumatizing memory for Jameson; a memory of a very similar warning being given to a young, ambitious reporter.

Source: Marvel/ Sony Pictures

The series uncovers JAmesons past; a past that saw him determined to uncover the story of a criminal enterprise, his refusal to compromise his journalistic integrity, and the eventual death of his wife at the hands of this gang in retaliation.

Driven by the awful fate of his wife, Jameson becomes all the more determined to end the Spider-Man; a decision that eventually leads the journalist to aid in the creation of the villain known as the Scorpion.

Source: Marvel

This sets up the primary conflict of the episode, with Jameson and the Scorpion going head to head against Peter Parker; until Jameson realizes that Spider-Man is the lesser of two evils.

What makes the story so perfect for the continuation of the MCU’s Spider-Man is the reality that Peter- angered by the loss of his family and friends- has only one nemesis left since the restoration of the multiverse; J. Jonah Jameson.

Source: Marvel Studios/ Sony Pictures

A Spider-Man angry and alone, confronting a Jameson as determined as ever to unmask the hero, could lead to the long-awaited MCU debut of Scorpion; teased in the end-credits sequence of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

With J. Jonah Jameson as the main antagonist, the MCU can develop a brand new villain out of the lesser know story of the reporter, and could even reintroduce Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes as the released Vulture.

Source: Marvel Studios/ Sony Pictures

The decision could also bring the best out of J.K Simmons, who deserves a role front and center as the character he originated 20 years ago.

By utilizing this J. Jonah Jameson story, Spider-Man would be forced to confront the true realities of life alone and the ways that that lonesome could negatively impact all of the good Spider-Man could do for the city.