Summary
Following two incredibly successful movies,Spider-Man 3promised to cap off theMarveltrilogy in a spectacular fashion when it released in theaters in 2007. Adding threenew Spider-Man villainsto the franchise, the Sam Raimi film was infamously plagued by studio interference. The director’s original vision for the movies, featuring Spider-Man against the Sandman, was complicated by the producers insisting that the character of Venom be added to the story. Ultimately, the film wound up less warmly received than the previous series entries, although it did go on to gross $896 million at the global box office.
Time has been kind to the trilogy, however, andSpider-Man 3is getting more love17 years later. While certainly flawed, there is much to enjoy in the Sam Raimi film, which combines the director’s odd camp sensibilities with body horror elements beneath a candy-coated superhero shell.This is thanks to the sincerity of the work many of the performers did in the movie, giving it a perfect, deserving place inside one of the best superhero trilogies of all time. With so many excellent performers in the film, it is worth investigating where each of them are now.
10 Overlooked Positives Of Rewatching The Controversial Spider-Man 3 16 Years After Its Premiere
Spider-Man 3 doesn’t get as much love as Maguire’s two previous outings as Peter Parker, but several notable high points stand out upon a rewatch.
10Bruce Campbell Played The Maître d'
Campbell Famously Cameod In Each Raimi Spider-Man Film
B-movie icon Bruce Campbell makes a memorable appearance in the film as a maître d'.The French waiter talks with Peter as he works out a plan to propose to Mary Jane that is not successful.This follows appearances in the trilogy as a ring announcer and an usher. Supposedly,Bruce Campbell’s cameoswere supposed to lead to an appearance of the performer as the villain Mysterio, but this was never realized.
Most recently,Campbell again had a cameo in a Sam Raimi film, selling pizza balls inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.The actor grew to fame as the star ofEvil Dead, and Campbell is still involved with the franchise, having executive produced and cameoed in 2023’sEvil Dead Risefollowing a starring role in the seriesAsh vs. Evil Dead. The actor will next appear in a film calledHighly Functional.
Sam Raimi’s 1 Spider-Man 4 Requirement Perfectly Sets Up Peter Parker’s Most Controversial Story
Sam Raimi’s comments on Spider-Man 4 point in the direction of an infamous comic book storyline that already influenced the MCU’s Peter Parker.
9James Cromwell Played George Stacy
The Academy Award Nominee Has Also Been Nominated For Several Emmys
When appearing as the police captain, who also happens to be Gwen Stacy’s father,James Cromwell was best known for playing Farmer Hoggett inBabe. Influenced by the film, for which the actor was nominated for an Academy Award, Cromwell adopted a vegan lifestyle and frequently spoke out against animal cruelty. At 84, the actor continues to work in many films and television and has received several Emmy nominations in recent years, winning one forAmerican Horror Story: Asylum.
Cromwell has continued to work, appearing alongside Bryce Dallas Howard inJurassic World: Fallen Kingdomand most recently in the Apple TV+ seriesSugar. He has been a regular fixture on stage and screen.Cromwell will next be appearing in the Netflix movieRebel Ridge.
Spider-Man 3’s Original Gwen Stacy Ending Would Have Ruined The Movie
The ending of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 originally had Gwen Stacy in place of Mary Jane Watson, a decision that would have ruined the movie.
8James Franco Played Harry Osborn/New Goblin
Franco Played A Prominent Role Throughout The Trilogy
James Franco was nearly cast as Spider-Man in the first film, andthe production instead took him on as the slowly developing villain that Harry Osborn would become.This is ultimately realized inSpider-Man 3,with mixed results.Plans forSpider-Man 3changedin development, but the unveiling of Harry Osborn as a villain who later redeems himself seems to have been in the works for some time.
Franco worked steadily for many years in the industry, starring in films as diverse asPineapple Expressand127 Hoursand sparking controversy inThe Interview. The actor was also featured in the critically acclaimedRise of the Planet of the Apesand directed films includingThe Disaster Artist.More recently, Franco was accused of sexual misconduct, leading to a lawsuit that ran from 2019 to 2021 and ended in a settlement deal. He has not appeared in a film since 2019, although he has many projects in various states of development.
Raimi’s Spider-Man Left Behind A Big Harry Osborn Question
Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 left more questions than answers, and one of those is all about Harry Osborn and the truth about his father.
7Rosemary Harris Played Aunt May
The English Actress Has Continued To Work Sparingly Through The Years
Rosemary Harris did an incredible job across the trilogy’s length in playing Peter Parker’s doting aunt.Embodying a sweet and slightly foolish sensibility, she plays a major role inSpider-Man 3in encouraging her nephew’s planned wedding proposal.Aunt May has been played in many different ways since, especially with Marisa Tomei in the recent MCU trilogy. Still, Harris is perhaps the most comic-accurate live-action iteration of the character.
At 96 years old, Harris has built an enormous body of work through the years and even continues to act in recent years in a smaller capacity.She appeared in a Broadway production ofMy Fair Ladyfrom 2018 to 2019 and most recently appeared in a guest role in the television seriesSearch Party.
The MCU is Right: Aunt May is a Bigger Influence on Spider-Man than Uncle Ben
Even Marvel Comics is starting to agree with the MCU that Aunt May made a more significant impact on Spider-Man than Uncle Ben ever did.
6J.K. Simmons Played J. Jonah Jameson
Simmons Has Since Reprised The Role In The MCU
J.K. Simmons is incredible in the Sam Raimi trilogy of films, with his character-defining performance continuing intoSpider-Man 3. Peter Parker’s obnoxious and rude boss is also depicted as a surprisingly human character who protects the security of his employees, adding layers to Jameson that adaptations are often missing.Simmons plays the role with such great wit and style that audiences are not ready to see another performer in the role.As such, Simmons reprized the role recently in the MCU, reimagining the character in a modern context.
Simmons has continued to work in movies and television, and has sincewon an Academy Award for his performance inWhiplash.The actor is dynamically talented, with an extensive resume of work in live-action and animation. He has lent his voice to series likeInvincibleandBojack Horseman, and appeared in the DCEU as Commissioner Gordon. He has many upcoming projects in the pipeline, includingRed OneandThe Accountant 2.
J. Jonah Jameson’s Much Bigger No Way Home Role Revealed, Would’ve Reunited With Spider-Man After 14 Years
J. K. Simmons' J. Jonah Jameson almost appeared in more Spider-Man: No Way Home, where he would have interacted directly with Peter Parker.
5Bryce Dallas Howard Played Gwen Stacy
Howard Has Since Starred In The Jurassic World Trilogy
Bryce Dallas Howard played the first live-action iteration of Gwen Stacy, and the character has grown so much in detail and complexity ever since. Gwen Stacy has since become one of the many leadcharacters in theSpider-Versefilms.InSpider-Man 3,however, the character is relegated to a supporting role.Spider-Man saves Gwen from an attack, and she spurns Eddie Brock for him. This leads to Brock’s hatred of Peter Parker.
This Gwen Stacy does not reach the heights later films would with the character. However, Howard is a terrific performer, and adds extra weight and meaning to the overall story.The actor has continued to work since, playing a lead role in theJurassic Worldtrilogy andArgylle.She has also worked steadily as a director on television, especially inStar Wars,helming episodes ofThe MandalorianandThe Book of Boba Fett. In terms of future releases, she has also directed for the upcomingStar Wars: Skeleton Crew.
4Thomas Haden Church Played Flint Marko/The Sandman
Church Appeared In Part In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Thomas Haden Church has been an excellent performer in Hollywood for years, but the actor rose to prominence after receiving an Academy Award nomination for his role inSideways.Church was cast as the complex villain The Sandman inSpider-Man 3,and effectively played a troubled father forced into a life of crime. Following this turn, the actor has gone on to appear generally in supporting roles in many films and series, includingEasy AandTwisted Metal.
Church reprized the role of Sandman in part forSpider-Man: No Way Home. The character was included in archival footage and new animation, while Church lent his voice to new dialogue. He will next appear in theHorizon: An American Sagasequels and in the ensemble of the next Benoit BlancKnives Outmystery,Wake Up Dead Man.
3Topher Grace Played Eddie Brock/Venom
Grace Continues To Work In Movies And TV
Topher Grace was an unusual choice to play the iconic villain, but the selection makes more sense when contrasted with Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man.While Grace is not the tough, bullish presence that many expect from Eddie Brock, this is because he was cast to be a counterpoint to Tobey Maguire.Exploring the contrast between the hero and villain and how they are affected by the symbiote was made clear by having an Eddie Brock that was quite similar in feel and stature to Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker.
Topher Grace leftThat ’70s Showin 2006 to pursue a career in movies, beginning with this villainous appearance.Following mixed reception to his performance as Venom, the actor turned to more character roles. He has appeared in excellent, critically acclaimed films, includingBlacKkKlansman,and continues to work in film and television. He appeared on the'70s Showreboot,That ’90s Show, in 2023, and famously enjoys making fan edits of feature films, having made an 85-minute edit of theStar Warsprequel trilogy.
2Kirsten Dunst Played Mary Jane Watson
Dunst Has Worked Steadily In Hollywood Since Childhood
Kirsten Dunst rose to fame as a child star, especially for her role inInterview with the Vampire,which led to a Golden Globe nomination.She went on to star as the love interest to Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker across the entire trilogy, and was perhaps done a disservice by theSpider-Man 3script, where her character’s development throughout the trilogy is not accurately addressed. Still, the actor was an excellent asset to the film. During the run of the trilogy, she padded her resume with appearances inEternal Sunshine of the Spotless MindandMarie Antoinette.
Dunst has continued to work in movies and television since,most recently starring in the critically acclaimedCivil War.She was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the Netflix filmThe Power of the Dogand has appeared in series includingBlack MirrorandDrunk History.FollowingSpider-Man: No Way Home, there is some hope the performer will reprise her role in a futureSpider-Mansequel.
Peter & Mary Jane Were Broken Up In Raimi’s Spider-Man 4
Story details on Spider-Man 4 have come out and among them was the reveal that Peter and Mary Jane would not have been together.
1Tobey Maguire Played Peter Parker/Spider-Man
The Actor Has Since Returned To The Role
Tobey Maguire became a superstar following his lead role in theSpider-Manfilms. The actor appeared in thebest and worstSpider-Manscenesalike, showing incredible heroism and participating in controversial dance sequences. Still,it is difficult now to imagine anyone else as this iteration of Peter Parker,and the actor’s films have only grown increasingly appreciated with time.
While the actor found success in films likeBrothers,The Great Gatsby, andSeabiscuit, he has remained best known for his turn as Spider-Man.This led to a revival of the character in an MCU appearance inSpider-Man: No Way Home.Following this, the actor has only appeared inBabylon. While rumors have swirled of Maguire reprising the Peter Parker role again in the MCU, no details have been confirmed. Fortunately, it seems the legacy ofSpider-Man 3may only continue to grow in the coming years, especially given the continued success of many of the movie’s actors.
Spider-Man 3
Cast
Spider-Man 3 is the third entry in Sam Raimi’s trilogy, where Tobey Maguire reprises his role as Peter Parker. Released in 2007, the film sees Spider-Man confronting new adversaries, including Sandman and Venom, while grappling with personal challenges involving an alien symbiote and complex relationships.
