The Amazing Spider-Man 2: 24 Easter Eggs, References & In-Jokes You Need To See

17. The Ghost Of Narrative Past

With Captain Stacy's attempt to get Peter to leave his daughter out of his life, to save her from potential danger, playing such a major part in his mentality going into the film, and his evaluation of his relationship with Gwen Stacy, it's not surprising that the slain police captain returns. Whenever Parker fails to heed his warning, Stacy appears as a disapproving ghost, reminding the young superhero of the promise his hormones won't let him heed. It's a rather hokey mechanism, but against expectations (and indeed normal logic) it completely works. There's also a blink and you'll miss it cameo from Martin Sheen, who appears in a flash-back establishing more about Peter's father, which fits the film's treatment of him, as he is rather unceremoniously pushed out of focus by the reinvigorated focus on the Parker origin story.