Tobey Maguire And Sam Raimi Finally Making Spider-Man 4?
Following his celebrated return in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Toby Maguire is rumored to be considering suiting up once more as the legendary web-slinger for a fourth installment, according to Thomas Haden Church, his co-star from Spider-Man 3. In an interview with Comic Book, Church revealed that there were whispers of both Maguire and director Sam Raimi rejoining forces for Spider-Man 4.
Moreover, Church, known for his role as Flint Marko/Sandman in both 2007’s Spider-Man 3 and the recent Spider-Man: No Way Home, expressed his personal interest in making at least a cameo appearance if the project materializes.
“There’s always been some kind of…I’ve heard rumors…that Sam Raimi was going to do another [Spider-Man] with Tobey [Maguire] and if that happens, I would probably campaign to maybe at least do a cameo.”
Thomas Haden Church on Spider-Man 4
Although Marvel and Sony have not officially announced Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire, it doesn’t mean the project has not been discussed. While speaking with Comic Book last April, director Sam Raimi shared that his involvement with the Spider-Man franchise is not entirely a closed chapter.
Following his work on Doctor Strange, Raimi admitted to the expansive possibilities inherent in the Marvel universe, thereby indicating an openness to making more Spider-Man films.
Back in 2007, fueled by the success of Spider-Man 3, a fourth film in the franchise was greenlit. In addition to Sam Raimi attached to direct, Toby Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and other cast members were set to reprise their roles from the original trilogy. However, in 2010, Sony pulled the plug on Spider-Man 4 after Raimi’s unexpected departure.
Spider-Man 4 was greenlit with Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst returning, with Michael Keaton as the Vulture, but it was cancelled in 2010.
Not surprisingly, Sony, having banked nearly $2.5 billion across three Spider-Man films, decided to reboot the series in 2012 with The Amazing Spider-Man, starring Andrew Garfield. However, after just two installments, the franchise was rebooted again in 2016, this time with Tom Holland taking up the mantle of the web-slinging superhero.
The franchise underwent a significant transformation, integrating Holland’s Spider-Man into the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Prior to the groundbreaking, universe-shattering events of Spider-Man No Way Home, the thought of another Spider-Man film starring Toby Maguire seemed near impossible. Yet, the triumphant on-screen union of Maguire, Holland, and Garfield’s Spider-Men now makes the prospect of Spider-Man 4 an exciting possibility. With the multiverse as a backdrop, the potential narrative trajectories for the film are virtually limitless.
Despite fans’ excitement at the prospect of a Spider-Man 4 starring Tobey Maguire, the reality of such a project materializing in the near future seems unlikely.
The obvious narrative direction Spider-Man 4 could take would be delving into the aftermath of No Way Home, exploring the implications of the events on Toby Maguire’s Peter Parker after returning to his universe.
Moreover, the film could serve as an exploration of an older, more mature Spider-Man, juggling the struggles of adult life with his superhero duties. As for potential antagonists, there is a wealth of characters from the Spider-Man mythos that have not yet had a cinematic debut.
Despite fans’ excitement at the prospect of a Spider-Man 4 starring Tobey Maguire, the reality of such a project materializing in the near future seems unlikely. Sony and Marvel are focusing on developing a fourth Spider-Man film featuring Tom Holland’s iteration of the character.
Further complicating the timeline are the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes that have paused most projects, meaning a potential Spider-Man 4 with Maguire might be several years away if it ever comes to life.
