Sony is exploring new directions for their Spider-Man franchise, with Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 emerging as a strong contender amid upcoming releases like Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the animated Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. As fans eagerly anticipate more Spider-Man stories, the question of which former Spider-Man actor Sony should revive—Tobey Maguire or Andrew Garfield—has gained renewed attention.
The Revival of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man 4 Gains Interest
The recent theatrical re-release of Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy reignited discussions around a possible fourth film starring Tobey Maguire. Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin has publicly shared his ambition to pen a Spider-Man 4 and revealed attempts to collaborate with Raimi on the project. Kirsten Dunst also expressed enthusiasm for reprising her role as Mary Jane Watson in a potential sequel.
These developments echo earlier ideas of a Spider-Man 4 focusing on Maguire’s Peter Parker and Mary Jane balancing their marriage, parenthood, and Peter’s responsibilities as Spider-Man. This concept would address the story left unfinished by the original Spider-Man 4, which was cancelled in 2011 when Sony opted to reboot the franchise with Andrew Garfield’s version instead.
Spider-Man: No Way Home offered fans a glimpse into Maguire’s life within his own universe, confirming that he and Mary Jane reconciled their relationship as hinted at in Spider-Man 3 (2007). Bringing an older, more mature Spider-Man to the screen tackling the challenges of heroism, family, and legacy could captivate audiences. Moreover, this storyline might introduce May Parker, Peter and Mary Jane’s daughter, who becomes Spider-Girl in the comic books.
Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 Holds Strong Promise
While excitement surrounds Tobey Maguire’s possible return, Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 holds significant creative potential. The 2014 sequel ended with Garfield’s Peter Parker grieving Gwen Stacy’s death, setting the stage for a third film alongside a planned Sinister Six spin-off.
These projects were shelved after Sony partnered with Marvel Studios to incorporate Spider-Man into the MCU through Tom Holland. Despite Holland’s popularity and his interconnected role in the Marvel universe, Garfield’s Peter remains the only one of the three cinematic Spider-Men without a full trilogy.
Spider-Man: No Way Home briefly explored Garfield’s darker, more anguished side, revealing his initial struggle as a friendly neighborhood hero before succumbing to bitterness after Gwen’s death. This arc suggests fertile ground for an Amazing Spider-Man 3 that navigates Peter’s path from rage back to hope, bridged by the film’s use of a magical portal connecting to his No Way Home appearance.
Alternatively, a sequel following No Way Home could also provide closure fans deeply desire, offering Garfield’s Spider-Man a fitting conclusion.
Why Andrew Garfield’s Return Could Be Sony’s Most Thrilling Option
Although Maguire’s Spider-Man 4 would tap into powerful nostalgia—given that his trilogy helped define superhero films for millennials and his No Way Home cameo sparked widespread acclaim—Andrew Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 may deliver a more compelling, dynamic story. Garfield’s star power has grown since his initial Peter Parker role, and this opportunity could rectify criticisms directed at The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s plot and villains.
Granting Garfield’s Spider-Man a proper trilogy would allow his version to receive the full narrative treatment it never had, potentially reinvigorating interest in his take on the web-slinger. Meanwhile, Maguire’s character could be offered an impactful legacy film to honor his era of storytelling. However, if Sony must prioritize one, Garfield’s Amazing Spider-Man 3 stands out as the more narratively rich and deserved project.
Regardless of which path Sony takes, there is optimism that both Maguire’s and Garfield’s Spider-Men will appear in forthcoming Avengers movies, helping to conclude the MCU’s Multiverse Saga by bringing heroes from multiple dimensions together.
