The first Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) remains a fan-favorite despite the several iterations of the franchise, like Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man and Marvel Studios’ Spider-Man with Tom Holland. Hence, many remain hopeful that Spider-Man 4 will be in the works despite its cancellation in 2010. Fans' excitement has been reignited after Sam Raimi gave a promising update about it in March, resulting in rumors of his return to the directorial seat for another collaboration with Tobey Maguire spreading like wildfire. So, to finally put a stop to these claims, the director finally breaks his silence about it but still keeps the viewers hopeful.
In an interview with CBR at the WonderCon, Raimi revealed he hadn’t heard about doing Spider-Man 4 “yet,” though he had read about the claims of him helming the film. Though the 64-year-old denied his return as the director of the next Spider-Man movie, it looks like he’s considering the idea with his statement.
“I’m not actually working on it yet,” he said.
The screenwriter deemed Marvel Studios and Columbia Pictures’ take on the franchise very “successful,” questioning why these two big production studios would “go back” to him to tell the story of the friendly neighborhood superhero again. He also expressed his love for new Spider-Man movies, especially Spider-Man: No Way Home after seeing Tobey Maguire wearing his Spider suit again.
“I love all the new Spider-Man movies. I loved ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’ It was really, super powerful seeing Tobey [Maguire] again in it.”
It was Maguire’s return to the franchise that reignited the talks about the possibility of putting Spider-Man 4 in the works again. And with Raimi’s good relationship with Marvel Studios after directing Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the possibilities are now endless. However, the producer admitted he hadn’t talked to the actor yet and revealed he would surely hear about the film if it were finally in development.
“I haven’t talked to Tobey about [a fourth movie with me], but maybe Marvel has or Columbia Pictures,” he continued. “I just worked with Marvel on a movie called ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.’ So, I’m on great terms with them. I’m sure I would hear about it if it was in the works.”
Will there be Spider-Man 4?
Though there are no words if Spider-Man 4 will officially be in the works, the original Spider-Man trilogy stars Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, as well as Raimi himself, have expressed interest in doing another film for the franchise. In an interview with Marvel after the release of No Way Home, Maguire revealed he would definitely say “yes” if someone asked him to do this movie.
“Because why wouldn’t I want to do that?” he asked.
Dunst was also open to doing another superhero film after making a mark by playing the role of Mary Jane Watson in the original trilogy. She even had a storyline in mind, considering it had been years since she last played the role.
“I’d be old MJ at this point with little Spidey babies,” she told Variety in 2021.
Lastly, Raimi told Comicbook in 2022 that anything is now possible due to the creation of the MCU, opening the doors for him to make Spider-Man 4. Though nothing has been officially planned for it, he called the idea “beautiful.”
“I love Tobey. I love Kirsten Dunst. I think all things are possible,” he said. “I don’t really have a story or a plan. I don’t know if Marvel would be interested in that right now. I don’t know what their thoughts are about that. I haven’t really pursued that. But it sounds beautiful.”
With the talks about Spider-Man 4 making rounds as of late, it looks like this film isn’t far from happening. As Maguire and Dunst are both open to reprising their roles, and Raimi seems to be considering the idea, they may only be waiting for Marvel to officially confirm it.
