Key Takeaways:
– Tobey Maguire’s fame and financial demand rose significantly after his role in the original Spider-Man movies.
– Maguire was paid considerably more than co-star Kirsten Dunst, reflective of global gender-based pay disparities.
– Maguire reprised his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, likely for a hefty sum.
Tobey Maguire’s seminal portrayal of Spider-Man, directed by Sam Raimi and co-starring Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, played a pivotal role in making comic book movies popular. The massively successful first film directed by Raimi and the subsequent sequel immediately greenlit by the studio boosted Maguire’s position in Hollywood and had him demanding higher pay.
Boosted Career – More Magnified Paycheck?
Following the film’s success, Tobey Maguire became a substantial figure in the industry. At just 26, playing the web-slinging marvel altered the course of his career significantly, resulting in a considerable increase in his demand and salary.
Interestingly, Kirsten Dunst, even with an established career backed by collaborations with renowned directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and Woody Allen, had a significantly lower pay than Maguire. The gender-based pay difference characteristic globally was evident in their salaries during the Spider-Man project.
Upon meeting Sam Raimi for the first time, Dunst was captivated by his passion for the Spider-Man story. Dunst and Maguire’s chemistry sparked during their screen test in Berlin, where Dunst was filming Peter Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow. This connection undoubtedly translated perfectly onto the big screen.
Pay Disparity Remarked by Dunst
Despite the film grossing a staggering $825 million globally, the pay difference between the two protagonists was significant. Maguire reportedly pocketed $17 million for his role, while Dunst, despite having an impressive track record with films like “Bring It On,” was paid notably less. Dunst reluctantly acknowledged the sizeable pay divide between them, a testament to the unfortunate gender pay gap prevalent in the industry.
Evolution of Spider-Man and Maguire’s Reprisal
Since Maguire’s time in the suit, the mantle of Spider-Man has shifted to different actors, with Tom Holland currently bearing the title in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Maguire has since explored other projects, but he surprised fans by reprising his famous role in Holland’s movie alongside Andrew Garfield, who succeeded Maguire as Spider-Man.
Seeing all three Spider-Men on screen was an unexpected treat for fans. Maguire expressed his excitement to wear the suit again, albeit with a tint of nervousness. Nonetheless, he immensely enjoyed the experience of working with actors Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe once more.
Ultimately, Maguire’s love for the Spider-Man character is undeniable. His return in No Way Home and his potential future reprisals will no longer be as surprising. That said, it is apparent that his role in the Spider-Man series not only intensified his popularity but also increased his financial demand. It won’t be surprising if his paycheck for No Way Home reflects a similar trend.
What an absolutely horrid article. We get it, you’re aBrainwashed feminist. No no no, don’t go into how much money she was actually paid. Just say she was paid less. Don’t mention how much screen time she had compared to Toby, THE LEADING ROLL OF THE MOVIE. Don’t inquire on how much other supporting actors like Willem Dafoe or James Franco made. Just say “WOmeN gEt pAiD lEsS sO loNg as You bEliVE oUr lieS ?!”. Grow up, be an honest human being for once in your life.
What the other tom said above is completely correct. Not every disparity ever is because of the patriarchy you silly lady. Harry and Harry’s dad both played bigger roles in the movie than MJ but did you even bother to research their pay. Did you even watch the movie lol??
Don’t make me laugh! No such thing as a pay gap between genders. Actor’s salary are totally dependent on who they are and not their gender.
The protagonist was Toby’s character and only him, obviously Spiderman gets payed more then there’s the screen time and future importance of the actor. In black swan Natalie portman probably got paid the most than any male character , is there a gender pay gap against men, the best female model is payed multiple times more than the best male model (Sean’O Pry) besides him being more popular.