The Definitive List: All 3 Actors Who Played Green Goblin In Live-Action Movies (And Who Might Return For Spider-Man 4)
The Green Goblin is arguably the most iconic and terrifying villain in the entire Spider-Man rogues' gallery, a character defined by a terrifying duality and a signature cackle. As of December 22, 2025, the role has been portrayed by three main actors across five live-action films, each bringing a unique—and often tragic—take to the Norman Osborn and Harry Osborn mantle.
The character's enduring appeal lies in his personal connection to Peter Parker, making the question of "who played Green Goblin" a complex one that spans multiple cinematic universes. From the groundbreaking performance that set the standard in 2002 to the shocking multiverse return, here is the definitive breakdown of every actor who has donned the menacing mask and flew the Goblin Glider.
The Green Goblin Actors: A Complete Biography Profile
The role of the Green Goblin, whether as the original Norman Osborn or his successor, Harry Osborn (sometimes called the New Goblin), has attracted some of Hollywood’s most compelling actors. Here are the profiles of the three primary live-action portrayers.
- Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn / Green Goblin)
- Full Name: William James Dafoe
- Born: July 22, 1955
- Birth Place: Appleton, Wisconsin, USA
- Nationality: American
- Notable Roles: Sergeant Elias (*Platoon*), Max Schreck (*Shadow of the Vampire*), Vincent van Gogh (*At Eternity's Gate*), and Green Goblin.
- Portrayals: Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004 - cameo/voice), Spider-Man 3 (2007 - cameo/voice), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
- James Franco (Harry Osborn / New Goblin)
- Full Name: James Edward Franco
- Born: April 19, 1978
- Birth Place: Palo Alto, California, USA
- Nationality: American
- Notable Roles: Harry Osborn (*Spider-Man* trilogy), Aron Ralston (*127 Hours*), and title role in *James Dean*.
- Portrayals: Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Spider-Man 3 (2007). He assumes the "New Goblin" identity in Spider-Man 3.
- Dane DeHaan (Harry Osborn / Green Goblin)
- Full Name: Dane William DeHaan
- Born: February 6, 1986
- Birth Place: Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality: American
- Notable Roles: Andrew Detmer (*Chronicle*), Lucien Carr (*Kill Your Darlings*), and Harry Osborn/Green Goblin.
- Portrayals: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014).
Willem Dafoe's Triumphant Return: The Multiverse's Favorite Villain
When fans discuss the Green Goblin, the conversation almost always begins and ends with Willem Dafoe. His performance as Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi’s 2002 *Spider-Man* film set a standard for superhero villains that few have matched. Dafoe expertly captured the split personality of the brilliant but tortured Oscorp CEO, who is driven insane by an experimental performance-enhancing serum.
The true measure of his impact came nearly two decades later with his shocking return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021). This film leveraged the concept of the multiverse to bring back villains from previous Spider-Man film series, including Dafoe's Norman Osborn. His second run as the character was even more menacing, as he was allowed to shed the restrictive mask for crucial scenes, showcasing his terrifying facial expressions and signature voice.
The character's return was a massive success, proving the timeless quality of his portrayal. The latest buzz suggests that Willem Dafoe is open to, and possibly in talks for, another return as the Green Goblin in a future project, potentially even *Spider-Man 4*. This possibility has excited fans, who see his version of the villain as the definitive iteration of the classic Marvel antagonist. Dafoe's willingness to reprise the role, even while promoting his latest horror film, *Nosferatu*, shows his lasting connection to the character.
The Successors: Harry Osborn and the New Goblin Identity
The Green Goblin mantle is not exclusive to Norman Osborn. In the comics, and subsequently in the films, his son, Harry Osborn, takes up the role to seek revenge on Spider-Man after his father’s death. This transition was depicted in two separate film franchises, with two different actors.
James Franco as the New Goblin (Sam Raimi Trilogy)
In the original Sam Raimi trilogy, James Franco played Harry Osborn, Peter Parker's best friend. Over the course of the three films, Harry's descent into villainy is a central storyline. After his father’s death in the first film, Harry becomes obsessed with avenging him, believing Spider-Man is responsible.
In *Spider-Man 3* (2007), Franco's character finally embraces a goblin-like persona, though he is referred to as the New Goblin. His costume and gear are notably different from his father's, featuring a snowboard-like glider and a more tactical suit, reflecting a modernized version of the classic villain. Franco’s portrayal focused on the emotional turmoil and tragic friendship, making him a sympathetic figure even as he wielded pumpkin bombs against his former friend.
Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)
The second cinematic iteration of the Spider-Man saga, *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* (2014), also featured Harry Osborn as a secondary antagonist. Dane DeHaan took on the role, portraying a Harry who is a childhood friend of Peter Parker but is also suffering from a genetic disease.
DeHaan's transformation into the Green Goblin is rapid and driven by a desperate attempt to use the Oscorp spider venom to save his life. The result is a more monstrous, unkempt version of the villain, whose appearance is a direct result of the serum's horrific side effects. DeHaan's version is known for the tragic and pivotal bridge scene, where the Green Goblin is responsible for the death of Gwen Stacy, a moment directly pulled from the iconic comic book storyline.
The Topical Authority: The Enduring Legacy of Norman Osborn
The Green Goblin is more than just a costumed villain; he is the dark mirror of Peter Parker. Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin, is the wealthy, powerful genius who uses his intellect for destruction, in contrast to Peter, who uses his gifts for good. This thematic depth is why the character remains a cornerstone of the Spider-Man mythos, alongside other heavyweight villains like Doctor Octopus, Venom, and Sandman.
The various portrayals—Dafoe’s maniacal genius, Franco’s vengeful friend, and DeHaan’s desperate youth—all contribute to the character's rich topical authority. The focus on the Osborn family curse, the advanced technology of the Goblin Glider, and the explosive power of the Pumpkin Bombs are all essential elements that define this supervillain. The fact that the character can successfully bridge multiple universes, as seen in *No Way Home*, solidifies his status as the most important antagonist in the history of the web-slinger.
Whether it’s the original, terrifying Dafoe version, or the subsequent tragic New Goblin iterations, the question of "who played Green Goblin" ultimately points to a lineage of actors who have mastered the art of playing a sympathetic figure driven to chaotic madness.
Detail Author:
- Name : Santa Wyman
- Username : neoma24
- Email : schroeder.marilie@hintz.com
- Birthdate : 2001-10-15
- Address : 3186 Feeney Course Suite 243 Williestad, ID 18899
- Phone : 351.736.6324
- Company : Torphy, DuBuque and Turcotte
- Job : Financial Specialist
- Bio : Provident eius officia ipsam dolor voluptas qui. Perspiciatis sit dolorem sit. Totam quasi velit vel eveniet quod. Accusamus id nihil qui in.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@wisozk2011
- username : wisozk2011
- bio : Officia unde et rerum corporis. Quod eum est qui illo accusamus dolores eius.
- followers : 3780
- following : 2222
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/wisozkl
- username : wisozkl
- bio : Aut alias similique iure delectus ipsam. Et eius assumenda inventore.
- followers : 5396
- following : 1671
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/lwisozk
- username : lwisozk
- bio : Harum praesentium sit non. Magnam odio temporibus eum et dolorem tenetur odio. Aspernatur alias ipsum sit est dolorem voluptate.
- followers : 6756
- following : 677
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/lamar7942
- username : lamar7942
- bio : Quia quia et dicta minima reiciendis quisquam porro.
- followers : 5184
- following : 2279
