Aunt May’s death in Spider-Man: No Way Home was almost very different, with the original plan potentially being an even more emotional story for May and Peter Parker. Marisa Tomei debuted as Aunt May in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War and was a key figure in Tom Holland’s first trilogy in the MCU as Spider-Man, having become his guardian after his parents became absent prior to his introduction. Aunt May was often Parker’s moral compass as Spider-Man, particularly in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, which saw Parker try and save five multiversal villains, following Aunt May’s belief that they could be redeemed.

Tomei’s Aunt May assumed the role of Marvel Comics’ Uncle Ben in the MCU, even delivering the iconic line, “with great power, there must also come great responsibility.” Unfortunately, however, Aunt May didn’t survive an attack from the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but the original plan for her death would have kept her hanging on longer. Images shared by Marvel Studios concept artist Phil Saunders reveal Aunt May would have originally made it into an ambulance, though she would still ultimately pass away. This would have given some hope that Aunt May could have survived, only for it to be taken away again moments later.

Why No Way Home Went With The Movie’s Actual Aunt May Death Scene

While the original plan for Aunt May’s death in Spider-Man: No Way Home would have elongated the emotional rollercoaster for Peter Parker, as he would have had hope that May could pull through, there are clear reasons as to why Marvel Studios changed this scene. Following the intense battle scene between Spider-Man and Green Goblin with a hasty moment inside an ambulance may have been jarring for audiences. Additionally, Aunt May’s death became an incredibly powerful and tender moment shared solely between May and Parker. This focus on their personal relationship and the fact that it had always been the two of them together gives May’s death more impact.

Rushing Aunt May into an ambulance immediately after this moment would have distracted from the importance of the “great power, great responsibility” line. This speech has always been a turning point and a crucial lesson in the life of any Spider-Man, whether that be in Marvel Comics, live-action projects, or animated features, so it was great to see it get a huge amount of attention in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Tragically, of course, this line was followed by Aunt May’s death, but this only helped to stress how much she truly believed and felt responsible for doing the right thing and how much responsibility she then placed on Spider-Man.