Exploring the Unseen Parallels Between The Green Goblin and Dark Matter's Sci-Fi Saga

The producer behind Dark Matter, Matt Tolmach, shares insights on the unexpected similarities between the antagonist of Spider-Man, The Green Goblin, and the narrative core of Joel Edgerton’s latest science fiction series.

Matt Tolmach, the driving force as the executive producer of Dark Matter, highlights the parallels between Jason Dessen and Norman Osborne that might not be immediately apparent. "Throughout my career, whether it's been films or TV shows, the essence of my work revolves around narrative intensity and the depth of characters, especially those with inner conflicts," Tolmach shares. With a rich background, including a tenure as co-president of production at Sony Pictures, Tolmach is well-acquainted with Spider-Man's foes through his production work on The Amazing Spider-Man series, Venom, Morbius, and the anticipated Kraven the Hunter.

"The Green Goblin embodies a quintessentially torn character. Your pairing of him is poignant since, like many classic Marvel antagonists, his downfall stems from excessive ambition in science. Similarly, Dark Matter delves into a scientist's excessive ambition, presenting a story that mirrors real-world contexts and a family dynamic that feels close to home," Tolmach observes.

The anticipated series draws its narrative from Blake Crouch's bestseller, with Crouch also stepping in as creator, showrunner, and executive producer. Edgerton takes on the role of physicist Jason Dessen, who finds his ordinary life upended following a kidnapping that catapults him into an alternate reality. The cast includes Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Jimmi Simpson, Oakes Fegley, Dayo Okeniyi, and Amanda Brugel.

Tolmach adds, "This distinguishing factor, the critique of scientific ambition and its potential consequences, forms a bridge to The Green Goblin's story, underlining the thematic core shared by both narratives."

Dark Matter is set to premiere on Apple TV Plus on May 8. For further information, our compilation of the best upcoming TV shows in 2024 and beyond is available for exploration.