Electro’s inclusion in Spider-Man: No Way Home is explained by a small detail in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, where Gwen Stacy inadvertently reveals Peter’s name during a fight. This explanation, although somewhat plausible, does not fully justify Electro’s presence as he had no personal connection to Peter. In contrast, the other villains in No Way Home knew Peter’s identity through more logical means, such as recognizing wounds or witnessing unmasking moments.
Spider-Man: No Way Home used the concept of the multiverse to bring villains from previous Spider-Man movies into Tom Holland’s Peter Parker’s world. The reason for their presence was that they all knew Spider-Man’s true identity as Peter Parker, thanks to the failed spell that was meant to erase the knowledge. However, this explanation raised questions about Electro’s involvement, as there was no obvious moment in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 where he discovers Spider-Man’s identity.
A potential explanation for Electro’s knowledge of Peter’s identity can be found in a small detail in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. During the final fight between Spider-Man and Electro, Gwen Stacy calls out “Peter.” Electro is nearby, suggesting that he may have overheard Gwen and learned Spider-Man’s real name, or at least part of it. While this detail may provide a slight justification for Electro’s presence in No Way Home, it does not fully address the lack of a personal connection between him and Peter.
In contrast, the other villains in No Way Home had more logical explanations for their knowledge of Peter’s identity. Norman Osborn identified Peter as Spider-Man when he saw a scratch on Peter’s arm that matched one he had inflicted on Spider-Man as the Green Goblin. Otto Octavius knew the truth because Spider-Man unmasked in front of him during their final battle. Sandman discovered the truth while working with Venom to defeat Peter in Spider-Man 3. Curt Conners deduced Spider-Man’s identity when he found a camera with Peter’s name after a fight.
Overall, while the explanation of Gwen inadvertently revealing Peter’s name in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 provides a partial justification for Electro’s presence in No Way Home, it does not fully explain his lack of a personal connection to Peter. The other villains’ knowledge of Peter’s identity can be attributed to more logical means, such as recognizing wounds or witnessing unmasking moments.
