Cast of characters, friends and foes, in ‘Spider-Man 2’

Two years and $820 million in worldwide ticket sales after the first film swung into theaters, “Spider-Man 2” hits screens this week with some old friends and new foes.

Here’s a look at the new and returning characters:

Peter Parker (played by Tobey Maguire)

When last we saw him: Spider-Man had vanquished the Green Goblin, told Mary Jane Watson that dating might not be a good idea and dedicated his life to fighting crime.

This time around: Two years later, Spider-Man is reconsidering his career choice. He works as a pizza delivery boy and a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, where his forte is capturing shots of Spider-Man. He lives in a dilapidated apartment and is struggling to keep his grades up in college. Though his love for Mary Jane hasn’t diminished, he fears that romance would put her in harm’s way.

Best scene: Blocking fallen scaffolding from crushing M.J. while trying to show his true feelings for her.

M.J. Watson (Kirsten Dunst)

When last we saw her: M.J. had once again been saved by Spider-Man, but she realized the one she loved was Peter Parker. She confesses her feelings, only to watch Peter turn away. Still, she can’t help but be intrigued by our shy hero.

This time around: M.J. has gone from anonymous waitress to rising star on the theater circuit. She still loves Peter, but a girl can’t wait forever. She has a serious relationship with the hunky astronaut John Jameson, son of newspaper editor J. Jonah Jameson.

Best scene: M.J., tired of Peter’s waffling, confronts him over breakfast at a local diner. She insists he kiss her, just once, to know who he is deep down.

Aunt May Parker (Rosemary Harris)

When last we saw her: Aunt May was grappling with the death of her beloved husband, Ben Parker, murdered by a carjacker who let nephew Peter escape.

This time around: She is still coping with life alone, struggling just to pay the bills.

Best scene: Aunt May discovers more than she wants to know about her husband’s death — and her nephew’s role in it.

J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons)

When last we saw him: Jameson, editor of the Daily Bugle, considered Spider-Man as big a menace to Manhattan as the villains.

This time around: Jameson hasn’t lost his grudge against Spider-Man. He continues to slander Spidey and rule his newspaper with an iron fist. Jameson at least warms up a little at the thought of the blossoming romance between son John and Mary Jane Watson.

Best scene: Jameson offers what initially sounds like a heartfelt apology to Spider-Man only to turn on the superhero.

Harry Osborn (James Franco)

When last we saw him: Harry was struggling with the death of his father, Norman Osborn. He never knew Dad’s true identity, as the Green Goblin, but knew who killed his father: Spider-Man.

This time around: Harry has inherited the mantle of the OsCorp firm and is determined to bring it back to prominence by hiring the brilliant Dr. Otto Octavius to create energy alternatives. But he has never forgotten his father’s downfall, and his obsession with revenge is driving a wedge between him and his best friend, Peter Parker.

Best scene: Harry finally gets a chance to exact revenge on Spider-Man but must confront his own issues about love and loyalty.

Doc Ock (Alfred Molina)

When last we saw him: Molina is a newcomer to the movie franchise. Doc Ock, on the other hand, has been battling Spider-Man in the comic book for decades.

This time around: Brilliant, egotistical and good at heart, Dr. Otto Octavius is conducting risky experiments that would use fusion as a new source of energy. He meets Peter, who is doing a college paper on fusion, and the two become instant friends — until an experiment goes horribly wrong. (Doc Ock’s brief stint in a hospital emergency room is more harrowing than anything in the previous movie, and gives this one a well-earned PG-13 rating.)

Best scene: The final confrontation between Doc Ock and Spider-Man as the villain tries to find the good within himself.