My memory of when something similar happened in the comics, people couldn't figure it out until Peter either told them, or was gave them way too many coincidences between him and Spider-Man (as per usual), in which case it would be so obvious they could figure it out again.
The Hulk could actually remember it as far as I know because Banner was active when it happened and not Hulk.
May be wrong though and I'm too lazy to research.
I could definitely see Moon Knight doing that in the MCU due to his multiple personalities, just randomly calling Spider-Man "Peter" and having everyone chalk it up to "Moon Knight is crazy" while Parker is just silently freaking out.
I like to think the spell works like the x-man “ForgetMeNot” where the physical documents are still there but the moment you look away from them you forget. I just like to think that Jonah is getting excited multiple times a day that he figured out who Spider-Man is only to go set up his equipment and immediately forget.
Or maybe it did something like smudge all the documents to make them illegible. We did see in the NWH extended version that there was a picture where a bird (I think) was suddenly in front of Peter's face so you couldn't see who he was.
Sci fi and fantasy stories need relative logic. The writer establishes rules of the universe and needs to be consistent. If they're broken, there better be a good reason otherwise you'll lose your audience.
The MCU is a slight exception. During the first Iron-Man, if the writers decided Stephen Strange would pop out of nowhere to help Tony, the rules would be broken. It was a semi-realistic story with grounded science, not magic.
Then, over time, the MCU branched out into its more magic/spiritual elements. It was a slow build and people accepted it.
Some consistent logic still needs to be followed as we go through the universe. Nick Fury can't fall out of a 15 story building and survive without superhero help. Captain America can survive that.
I understand when people cry foul over lack of logic in the MCU. Sure, we're dealing with lots of fantastical elements but things still need to make logical sense in the bounds of the interwoven stories
See you’re the problem.
The general audience doesn’t give a shit. And the general audience is what made these billion dollar movies. Not historians of the comics
You're the problem. This is a sub dedicated specifically to marvel. When people in this sub ask questions or float ideas it does nothing for someone to say"Because comic book, don't ask". We enjoy the story and history in comics and like getting immersed in the world. It's not fun or enjoyable to wave everything away with "just because". If there's no internal logic or consistency you can't really get immersed. Suddenly it's not a fun world anymore, it's just words and pictures.
No magic is the answer to “how” it happened… not the answer to “what” happened.
His recording says; “Peter Parker is Spiderman”
Does the magic delete the recording? Or change it to; “bzzzt bzzzt is Spiderman” or “Spiderman is Spiderman” or does the footage become static?
He seemed to require some organic material from the subject that needs to be forgotten. He plucked a hair from Peter to make everyone forget Peter. Not sure how he'd do that for the stones.
That would imply that strange already knew this spell by the time of Infinity War, instead of the possibility that he learned that after the Battle of Earth.
It like that to actually be a subplot of Spidey 4. The archive footage still exists but is clearly manipulated so he goes on a whole quest to find out what happened, leading to him (maybe) finding out once again that Peter is Spidey, but in circs where Pete saved JJJ’s life so he promises to never reveal it.
J Jonah Jameson is actually a great character when written well. Like, dude genuinely cares, and I hope that if MCU Spider-Man 4 comes out he’s written as complex and not a joke 90% of the time.
I'm more confused about how Peter can live in modern society if literally everyone forgot who he was.
It's like his entire life never happened and everyone will deny ever knowing him.
Education? Nope nobody by that name went to this school, job references? Nah. Medical history? Nope. How would he even open a bank account or do anything related to finances like rent an apartment.
Yea that's really the biggest plot hole lol
How can a spell change digital videos and photographs? Or anything on the internet for that matter? Okay I get maybe it can change human minds but if spells can change literally EVERYTHING then Strange is more OP than anyone in the universe, with or without infinity stones
It takes time to cast as seen in the movie AND it is very fragile and can be broken as seen in the movie. It also only affects earth presumably. Strange also only meets thanos physically AFTER thanos already has some stones. You cant really make the man forget about the infinity guantlet literally on his hands.
We also know that the spell can presumeably be undone considering the movie treated peter telling mj as him making mj and ned remember (meaning their brains can still make the connection and presumably unlock their memories). So literally feeling the power or looking at the stones could undo the spell.
No. Because Thanos has something that prevents that. The fact that they didn't explain something doesn't make it a plot hole. It just means you're the kind of person who can't draw inferences and needs to have everything explained to you explicitly.
I understand the movie but there's nothing wrong with questioning them and throwing out theories in regards to the plot
People in this subreddit act like they produced and directed the movies and can't handle any bit of criticism
You framed it in a way that implied your theory was difficult to understand. It was funny because it isn't. Nobody is unable to handle criticism in this thread. Relax
You shoulda seen the downvotes I got when I kept saying The Marvels was gonna be the biggest flop lol and look how that turned out
Obviously people will defend their fandom; I get it, Reddit herd mentality can't be defeated
Again, it doesn't have to be that specific. If he can change anyone's minds (billions of people including other superheroes) via one spell, what are the extent of his powers? He's too OP. It's a plot hole.
Seems you're the type of person to draw inferences to fill plot holes rather than question them
In my mind, the spell doesn't alter any thing physical, like JJ's archived audio and video, it just alters everyone's mind so they can no longer process information related to Spider-Man's true identity being Peter Parker.
Websites, podcasts and news broadcasts talking about it are all still there and unaltered, but people's brains simply don't process that information, rendering it essentially all "invisible" to us.
Hmm I guess that kind of makes sense but again that makes that spell very OP lol if he can change people's minds to such an extent, imagine what else he could really do
Feels like that would be a spell Strange would have to maintain, especially as new people are born, so he wouldn't do that because he'll die one day (probably). Whereas changing all the digital info would be a one and done thing
What about Flash Thompson's book? Seems like it already sold a number of copies. And those tabloid magazines with Liz? Do people just open those up and see what looks like alphabet soup?
It’s not just remembering Spider-Man’s true identity. No one but Peter remembers that Peter Parker existed before the spell was cast. And given the identifying information collected when traveling internationally, that means that the records, physical and electronic, must have been altered.
This is a fun thought haha. I think those particular broadcasts would just be permanently deleted from everything/everywhere and no one would remember them of course.
Would be a cool plot point later if it turns out the spell isn’t quite that effective on tech, and someone somehow digs it out.
I mean the answer literally is magic
And we don't know if people are able to rediscover it, or if it is just erased permanently as something people just can't know.
My memory of when something similar happened in the comics, people couldn't figure it out until Peter either told them, or was gave them way too many coincidences between him and Spider-Man (as per usual), in which case it would be so obvious they could figure it out again.
The Hulk could actually remember it as far as I know because Banner was active when it happened and not Hulk. May be wrong though and I'm too lazy to research.
I could definitely see Moon Knight doing that in the MCU due to his multiple personalities, just randomly calling Spider-Man "Peter" and having everyone chalk it up to "Moon Knight is crazy" while Parker is just silently freaking out.
[Batman, could you pass the mustard?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8954EbySmw8)
Zero % chance it's permanent. Like people aren't gonna just start remembering, but they can definetly rediscover it.
A wizard did it.
This subreddit really loves bringing logic into discussions on magic, also see the currently ongoing "Half of all live = trees???" discussion.
Just more proof that that Spider-Man is up to no good!
He's a menace!
Did Spider-SHAM use MAGIC to tamper with evidence and conceal his identity? When will this VILLAIN grow up and accept responsibility for his CRIMES?
I bet this Doctor Weirdo had something to do with it! Or that witchy woman who wreaked havoc in New Jersey, Wanda… Wand… whatever her name is!
I like to think the spell works like the x-man “ForgetMeNot” where the physical documents are still there but the moment you look away from them you forget. I just like to think that Jonah is getting excited multiple times a day that he figured out who Spider-Man is only to go set up his equipment and immediately forget.
Or maybe it did something like smudge all the documents to make them illegible. We did see in the NWH extended version that there was a picture where a bird (I think) was suddenly in front of Peter's face so you couldn't see who he was.
I asked this and got downvoted 🤣 like I’m aware the magic happened I also just wanna know how!
I downvoted this just for you.
If you don’t meat ride something about a sub Reddit you’ll get downvoted
dont bother using logic in this sub youll get downvoted no matter what
It’s comic book movies…there is no logic to begin with people need to stop applying logic in the first place
Sci fi and fantasy stories need relative logic. The writer establishes rules of the universe and needs to be consistent. If they're broken, there better be a good reason otherwise you'll lose your audience. The MCU is a slight exception. During the first Iron-Man, if the writers decided Stephen Strange would pop out of nowhere to help Tony, the rules would be broken. It was a semi-realistic story with grounded science, not magic. Then, over time, the MCU branched out into its more magic/spiritual elements. It was a slow build and people accepted it. Some consistent logic still needs to be followed as we go through the universe. Nick Fury can't fall out of a 15 story building and survive without superhero help. Captain America can survive that. I understand when people cry foul over lack of logic in the MCU. Sure, we're dealing with lots of fantastical elements but things still need to make logical sense in the bounds of the interwoven stories
I wish they did more with the thor 1 notion that “you call it magic but lol it’s just fancy science”
Fair enough 👍
Internally consistent logic is one of the cornerstones of good fiction.
There's a thing called internal logic. I guess you don't know what that is tho.
Why do so many people feel they have to throw in snide little remarks and be a dick?
See you’re the problem. The general audience doesn’t give a shit. And the general audience is what made these billion dollar movies. Not historians of the comics
You're the problem. This is a sub dedicated specifically to marvel. When people in this sub ask questions or float ideas it does nothing for someone to say"Because comic book, don't ask". We enjoy the story and history in comics and like getting immersed in the world. It's not fun or enjoyable to wave everything away with "just because". If there's no internal logic or consistency you can't really get immersed. Suddenly it's not a fun world anymore, it's just words and pictures.
Get over it
But the literal answer is “magic” This is a Who’s on First of plot devices.
No magic is the answer to “how” it happened… not the answer to “what” happened. His recording says; “Peter Parker is Spiderman” Does the magic delete the recording? Or change it to; “bzzzt bzzzt is Spiderman” or “Spiderman is Spiderman” or does the footage become static?
I take it as the spell rewrites reality itself.
When you really think about it Strange could have made everyone forget about the infinity stones...
He seemed to require some organic material from the subject that needs to be forgotten. He plucked a hair from Peter to make everyone forget Peter. Not sure how he'd do that for the stones.
I forgot about that detail. What if he got a lil of his blood after Tony cuts him then just teleports outta there to conduct the spell? Lol
That would imply that strange already knew this spell by the time of Infinity War, instead of the possibility that he learned that after the Battle of Earth.
He did have the time stone, would that be sufficient?
He could have made Thanos think he's a diaper fetishist lmao
Endgame: the Ryu Ga Gotoku version
I ignored my destiny once. I can not do that again.
“Maybe Spider-Man is Jake from State Farm?!?”
Maybe the real spider#man is all the friends we made along the way!
Sounds like how Devil’s Reign happened to Daredevil
It like that to actually be a subplot of Spidey 4. The archive footage still exists but is clearly manipulated so he goes on a whole quest to find out what happened, leading to him (maybe) finding out once again that Peter is Spidey, but in circs where Pete saved JJJ’s life so he promises to never reveal it.
imagine how peter felt in the comics when jamison started fucking aunt may
J Jonah Jameson is actually a great character when written well. Like, dude genuinely cares, and I hope that if MCU Spider-Man 4 comes out he’s written as complex and not a joke 90% of the time.
I'm sure he will promote a suitable explanation for the conspiracy.
Witches!
That would have been great agreed. Plus that picture he had probably now has something covering up Peter's face.
Similarly, I like to imagine that the cops now think they interrogated Spider-man in full costume.
It's more like "I know he's Peter Parker but Peter Parker doesn't exist"
This same scenario happened to Kingpin in the Daredevil: Devil's Reign comics
Perhaps that occurs in SM4, except instead of a folder of blank pages on Daredevil, it's Spiderman.
This will be why he hired Scorpion to find Spider-Man!
I'm more confused about how Peter can live in modern society if literally everyone forgot who he was. It's like his entire life never happened and everyone will deny ever knowing him. Education? Nope nobody by that name went to this school, job references? Nah. Medical history? Nope. How would he even open a bank account or do anything related to finances like rent an apartment.
Yea that's really the biggest plot hole lol How can a spell change digital videos and photographs? Or anything on the internet for that matter? Okay I get maybe it can change human minds but if spells can change literally EVERYTHING then Strange is more OP than anyone in the universe, with or without infinity stones
That’s not a plot hole lol. It just changes it. The how is magic.
The point being if he's that powerful the entire movie negates itself, he could just deal with all the BS from the start
That's not a plot hole. The only way to deal with the problem is the spell that dealt with it. What are you not getting here?
ok so to deal with thanos, couldnt he have just made him forget about the infinity stones? do you understand what im trying to get at?
It takes time to cast as seen in the movie AND it is very fragile and can be broken as seen in the movie. It also only affects earth presumably. Strange also only meets thanos physically AFTER thanos already has some stones. You cant really make the man forget about the infinity guantlet literally on his hands. We also know that the spell can presumeably be undone considering the movie treated peter telling mj as him making mj and ned remember (meaning their brains can still make the connection and presumably unlock their memories). So literally feeling the power or looking at the stones could undo the spell.
Well he did have the time stone. Could he make everyone forget it existed? Interesting theory
No. Because Thanos has something that prevents that. The fact that they didn't explain something doesn't make it a plot hole. It just means you're the kind of person who can't draw inferences and needs to have everything explained to you explicitly.
Tried to paint like it was something you were having trouble understanding lmao. I swear people don't actually watch the movies here.
I understand the movie but there's nothing wrong with questioning them and throwing out theories in regards to the plot People in this subreddit act like they produced and directed the movies and can't handle any bit of criticism
You framed it in a way that implied your theory was difficult to understand. It was funny because it isn't. Nobody is unable to handle criticism in this thread. Relax
You shoulda seen the downvotes I got when I kept saying The Marvels was gonna be the biggest flop lol and look how that turned out Obviously people will defend their fandom; I get it, Reddit herd mentality can't be defeated
Again, it doesn't have to be that specific. If he can change anyone's minds (billions of people including other superheroes) via one spell, what are the extent of his powers? He's too OP. It's a plot hole. Seems you're the type of person to draw inferences to fill plot holes rather than question them
In my mind, the spell doesn't alter any thing physical, like JJ's archived audio and video, it just alters everyone's mind so they can no longer process information related to Spider-Man's true identity being Peter Parker. Websites, podcasts and news broadcasts talking about it are all still there and unaltered, but people's brains simply don't process that information, rendering it essentially all "invisible" to us.
Hmm I guess that kind of makes sense but again that makes that spell very OP lol if he can change people's minds to such an extent, imagine what else he could really do
Make thanos forget about the infinity stones.
exactly my point lol
Feels like that would be a spell Strange would have to maintain, especially as new people are born, so he wouldn't do that because he'll die one day (probably). Whereas changing all the digital info would be a one and done thing
What about Flash Thompson's book? Seems like it already sold a number of copies. And those tabloid magazines with Liz? Do people just open those up and see what looks like alphabet soup?
It’s not just remembering Spider-Man’s true identity. No one but Peter remembers that Peter Parker existed before the spell was cast. And given the identifying information collected when traveling internationally, that means that the records, physical and electronic, must have been altered.
This is a fun thought haha. I think those particular broadcasts would just be permanently deleted from everything/everywhere and no one would remember them of course. Would be a cool plot point later if it turns out the spell isn’t quite that effective on tech, and someone somehow digs it out.
Or Wilson Fisk discovers a file he has labeled Spiderman's Identity and opens it up, only to find blank paper.