“Spider-Man 3” was the highly anticipated sequel to Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy, starring Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. After the release of “Spider-Man 3” in 2007, plans for a fourth film began, with Raimi set to return as director and Maguire expected to reprise his role. Kirsten Dunst was also likely to return as Mary Jane Watson.
The film’s plot was never fully revealed, but it was rumored to feature John Malkovich as the Vulture and Anne Hathaway as Felicia Hardy, a character who, in this version, would become “Vulturess” instead of Black Cat. Bruce Campbell, a frequent collaborator with Raimi, was also speculated to play Mysterio. However, creative differences between Raimi and the studio, particularly over the script and the choice of villains, led to the project’s cancellation.
Raimi was determined to avoid repeating the mistakes of “Spider-Man 3” but felt pressured by the studio’s timeline. Ultimately, Sony Pictures decided to reboot the franchise with “The Amazing Spider-Man” in 2012, directed by Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield. Though “Spider-Man 3” was never made, it remains a significant part of Spider-Man’s cinematic history, with fans still speculating about what Raimi’s vision for the film might have been. Despite its cancellation, Tobey Maguire eventually returned as Spider-Man in the 2021 film “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which connected different Spider-Man film series through a multiverse storyline.
