Why Benedict Cumberbatch Helped Prevent Spider-Man’s Biggest No Way Home Trap

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Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Spider-Man: No Way Home had a lot to live up to and the film could have fallen into some traps, but it was Benedict Cumberbatch who prevented a big one from happening. The immense hype surrounding the final film in Tom Holland's Homecoming trilogy meant that the film had to get everything perfect, which it mostly did. It delighted audiences and healed old wounds, with even its biggest moment being more than fan service, but No Way Home's biggest trap still loomed over the film.

Ever since the events of Avengers: Endgame, characters in the MCU have mourned the loss of Avengers leader, Tony Stark. This was especially hard for Peter Parker, who Tony took to as a mentor and father figure when Tony first recruited him for Captain America: Civil War. In Spider-Man's third solo film it was who Doctor Strange took on the role of the main «adult» Avenger in Peter's life following Tony's death, thus No Way Home could have fallen into a big trap, but it was Cumberbatch himself who prevented it.

Related: How The MCU Can Avoid Making Reed Richards A Tony Stark Replacement

With Tony gone and Strange as the big Avenger present in No Way Home, the film could have easily set him up as the replacement mentor for Peter (though perhaps the multiverse Peter Parkers played this mentor role). Cumberbatch, though, has stated that he sees Stephen and Peter as teammates rather than having a close mentor relationship, and also believes Stephen doesn't see himself as a mentor either. By Cumberbatch having this mindset, it meant that his character avoided both disrespecting Peter and Tony's unique bond in the MCU, but also avoided hindering Peter's arc moving forwards.

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