Replacements for Maguire in 'Spider-Man 4' (MSNBC)

[Brian Damage]

Elijah Wood
Once you’ve played Frodo in “The Lord of the Rings,” the odds are better than average that you’re going to be beating your head against your mansion wall waiting for your butler to hand you scripts that do not cast you as a short, innocent-looking dude on a journey or some thinly veiled variation thereof. Woods should follow the Harrison Ford model and gun for playing the second iconic character in his career, thereby breaking the typecasting curse. Believe it or not, Elijah Wood is not actually a hobbit in real life, measuring in at a respectable 5-foot-6, a mere two inches shorter than Maguire, so it’s not like he’d have to be on stilts to kiss Kirsten Dunst. And as opposed to being seven years her senior, Wood is only one. Maguire will turn 32 on June 27.

[Brian Damage]

Jake Gyllenhaal
“Donnie Darko” probably gives Gyllenhaal instant fanboy approval and street cred, but the biggest question with this multi-talented actor isn’t “Would he make a great Spider-Man?” but “Would he want the role?” At this point in his career the main advantage for Gyllenhaal becoming Spider-Man is so he can buy himself a yacht or a Gulfstream jet. Otherwise, the guy seems to have producers lining up to give him great roles. Why put the brakes on that kind of career, especially if another director takes over for Sam Raimi and the whole thing goes downhill as it inevitably will? It appears he can do just about anything. One minute he’s a convincing gay cowboy (“Brokeback Mountain) and the next minute he’s a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle in the ‘70s (“Zodiac”). It’s that kind of fearlessness combined with vulnerability that would make a great Spider-Man.

[Brian Damage]

Ryan Gosling
Gosling wouldn’t even be in this conversation if it weren’t for “Half Nelson.” Prior to that his biggest role was the lead in the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ “The Notebook.” Nothing screams “fanboy backlash” more than hiring a sappy chick flick lead to be your new Spider-Man, but Gosling proved that he not only has the acting chops for “Spider-Man” but exactly the right kind of acting chops. Everyone knows Gosling played a teacher with a drug addiction in “Half Nelson,” but he also played a guy who was trying to live two lives, a guy who was constantly struggling with his dark side. In order to play Spider-Man, an actor has to convey that inner battle and Gosling has proved he can do that. His recent strong performance in “Fracture” emphasizes his talent even more. And oh yeah, that Oscar nomination certainly doesn’t hurt.

[Brian Damage]

Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Quite honestly, I think this is the guy. Gordon-Levitt is mostly known for playing Tommy in “Third Rock From the Sun” from 1996 to 2001, which is about the last thing that would make anybody go “oooh, Spider-Man,” but Gordon-Levitt has buried that role in his past, adding several edgy, indie characters to a resume that highlights his acting range and compelling screen presence. Among them, “Manic” where he plays a violent kid committed to a mental institution, and “Brick”, where he’s a loner who infiltrates his high school’s crime underworld to investigate the disappearance of his girlfriend. His recent role in “The Lookout” has received rave reviews too. The point is, he’s a seemingly sweet, innocent-looking kid who uses his genial appearance to extract the maximum amount of irony from dark roles. That’s got Spider-Man written all over it.

[Brian Damage]

Giovanni Ribisi
OK, so he’s a little bit creepy and he’s got this way of talking that sometimes sounds like he’s trying to gargle marbles and he’s a bit old, but he’s played every kind of character from an action hero (“The Mod Squad”) to a low-life criminal (“My Name is Earl”) to a know-it-all (“Flight of the Phoenix”). He’s done comedy, drama, action and everything in between. So while admittedly he’s not a mainstream choice for the role, his appeal lies in his range and that weirdness that makes you notice him. I suspect Ribisi’s Spider-Man would explore depths of Peter Parker’s character in a way that no other actor would. There are plenty of actors that could take things in a similar direction to Maguire. In whatever unpredictable way, Ribisi would make the role uniquely his.

[Adamantium]

I wouldn't mind seeing Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. In fact, he's the only one from that list that I would want to see. Giovanni Ribisi as Spider-Man? No.

[TJL]

Giovanni Ribisi as Spider-Man? No.

:lol: I agree. A terrible choice.

Joseph Gordon Levitt is a good choice, but I think he likes being an indy film star.

I'm surprised Shai LaBeouf isn't mentioned. He seems to be Hollywood's new "it" boy. Plus, he's pretty young compared to some of these other choices.

[LucyCompanyPhan]

All these people are practically Tobey's age.

Go with unknown.

[comedyfreak]

Jake Gyllenhaal
“Donnie Darko” probably gives Gyllenhaal instant fanboy approval and street cred, but the biggest question with this multi-talented actor isn’t “Would he make a great Spider-Man?” but “Would he want the role?” At this point in his career the main advantage for Gyllenhaal becoming Spider-Man is so he can buy himself a yacht or a Gulfstream jet. Otherwise, the guy seems to have producers lining up to give him great roles. Why put the brakes on that kind of career, especially if another director takes over for Sam Raimi and the whole thing goes downhill as it inevitably will? It appears he can do just about anything. One minute he’s a convincing gay cowboy (“Brokeback Mountain) and the next minute he’s a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle in the ‘70s (“Zodiac”). It’s that kind of fearlessness combined with vulnerability that would make a great Spider-Man.
This would be my pick, if they do replace Tobey. Second I'd pick Joseph Levitt

[Brian Damage]

I wouldn't mind seeing Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Peter Parker/Spider-Man. In fact, he's the only one from that list that I would want to see. Giovanni Ribisi as Spider-Man? No.


Hey, maybe they want to take Spidey in a different direction? Ribisi can make Spiderman be a drugged out lunatic! ;)

[catlover79]

I remember hearing rumors about Zachery Ty Bryan (Brad on Home Improvement) in the running for the role. Please, no! I heard that Tobey Maguire will come back for S-4. Can anyone confirm??

[Adamantium]

Tobey hasn't signed on for a fourth movie, but I've seen him in interviews saying that if the script is good, he'll come back. Still no word whether Raimi will direct or not. But the movie IS happening.

[Courtnee]

Ryan Gosling looks "spiderman-ish" to me.

[GoldenGirlsFan92]

Jake Gyllenhaal
“Donnie Darko” probably gives Gyllenhaal instant fanboy approval and street cred, but the biggest question with this multi-talented actor isn’t “Would he make a great Spider-Man?” but “Would he want the role?” At this point in his career the main advantage for Gyllenhaal becoming Spider-Man is so he can buy himself a yacht or a Gulfstream jet. Otherwise, the guy seems to have producers lining up to give him great roles. Why put the brakes on that kind of career, especially if another director takes over for Sam Raimi and the whole thing goes downhill as it inevitably will? It appears he can do just about anything. One minute he’s a convincing gay cowboy (“Brokeback Mountain) and the next minute he’s a cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle in the ‘70s (“Zodiac”). It’s that kind of fearlessness combined with vulnerability that would make a great Spider-Man.
I think Jake could do a good job. I am wondering too, did Toby offically say he wouldn't do a fourth one?

[TheLandfordLunchBox]

It won't be the same without Tobey.

[TJL]

Since part 3 is such a big hit, Sony supposedly wants 3 more sequels!

I can see Tobey coming back for a 4th movie, but there's no way they'll get him for 5 and 6.

[catlover79]

Since part 3 is such a big hit, Sony supposedly wants 3 more sequels!

I can see Tobey coming back for a 4th movie, but there's no way they'll get him for 5 and 6.
...unless the suits give him an offer he can't refuse ($$$), that is...

[comedyfreak]

It would be nice if he returned, there is alot more stories that can be told.

[waichingliu81]

personally speaking, the potential candidates for the replacement of tobey maguire in the peter parker role are poor. therefore, i wouldn't bother hiring any of them for the role. i don't mean to disrespect them, but i would think it would be difficult to replace tobey. if tobey is going to do a fourth instalment then go ahead, otherwise it would be better if they called it a day with no#3. i certainly would