As we’ve been talking about around The Movie Blog for a few months, it does indeed look like Spider-Man 3 will be the last time Tobey Maguire suits up as Spidy. Personally, I think that’s a good thing for him. I’ve enjoyed the job he’s done playing the role, and it’s obviously been good for him… but he’s spent the last 6 years just being Spider-Man really, and he’s probably ready for new things. I say… Good for him.
But don’t think for a moment the departure of Maguire means the end of Spider-Man (although I think they should take a 6 or 7 year break from the franchise). As long as there is money to be made… the studio will keep making them. The good folks over at Filmwad has the following quote from Avi Arad:
“No, never conclusions. This story has been going on a long time and it will continue going. There’s some issues that will come not to an end but to a conclusion, but Peter Parker’s story will continue forward. He’s still young. The love story will always be the ruling thing in his life. It’s always about the girl so, no, it’s just number three.”
I’ve said this a thousand times and I’ll say it again. A movie is a byproduct of the collective talents of hundreds of people… not just one. No 1 director, or actor or editor or cameraman or grip or hairstylist or caterer does it themselves.. therefore none of them are irreplaceable. Spider-Man can move on without Maguire (and probably Raimi too) and has the potential to do just fine… maybe even better.
Why do so many people always assume that just because one person dose something well, or great, it means that NO ONE ELSE ALIVE could have done it as well or even better? That’s pretty naive thinking.
