With actors in long running franchises leaving the roles that catapulted their fame, it just seems trendy and appropriate that Tobey Maguire would consider broadening his horizons and quitting the Spiderman Franchise. One of the drawbacks to playing an iconic character is that the actor becomes recognized AS that character, and people tend not to buy into replacements.
According to Starpulse News Blog, found on Filmstalker, Maguire has announced, again, that the third Spider-Man movie may be his last. “This might be a good place to stop – I am not tied contractually to any more Spider-Man movies. I am not completely closed to the idea of another one if it made sense but I would say the odds were in favor of this being the last one,” he says.
He adds that he has a new daughter and wants to spend more time with her.
First let me say that as far as casting in superhero films goes, its pretty hit and miss. I can hardly imagine anyone OTHER than Jackman playing Wolverine, but I can easily see Haley Berry being replaced as Storm. One other role I just cant picture with a different actor is Spiderman.
Tobey Maguire nailed the role so perfectly. He is the perfect geeky but kind Peter Parker, as well as the confident and heroic Spiderman. News of him stepping out of the tights is not new, nor is his co star Kirsten Dunst’s concerns about her Mary Jane role. There have been a lot of mixed reviews as to the validity of Kirsten as MJ, but people have just come to see Tobey as Parker.
Who could do Spiderman if not Tobey? I know the rumour mill has Jake Gyllenhaal as a contender, but I honestly dont see it.
I’m not saying someone CANT do the role. With the exception of Daniel Craig (or any other Bond you favour) or Brandon Routh in Superman (no one can replace Reeve, but Routh did a damn good job), can you think of any roles that were replaced with a different actor who is BETTER loved for the role?
Furthermore, have many actors who walked away from a potentially typecast role as an iconic character had much success outside of it?
