Stunning fan art has recently imagined Tobey Maguire as Uncle Ben in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), sparking renewed interest in the beloved character’s portrayal. This creative vision comes amid ongoing developments in Marvel Studios’ projects, including the upcoming live-action film Spider-Man: Brand New Day and the animated multiverse series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
The animated series, set in an alternate MCU timeline, explores a unique take on Peter Parker’s story, where Norman Osborn, rather than Tony Stark, serves as a mentor to a younger Spider-Man voiced by Hudson Thames. Though the show begins after Uncle Ben’s passing and has yet to cast anyone in the role, the concept art imagines what Tobey Maguire might look like as Peter’s uncle within this new multiverse context.
Artist’s Vision of Tobey Maguire as Uncle Ben in the MCU Multiverse
On X (formerly Twitter), the artist 21XFOUR shared a detailed concept rendering portraying Tobey Maguire in the role of Uncle Ben Parker for the Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man series. Created with a live-action aesthetic, the artwork integrates visual elements tied to the animated show’s version of Uncle Ben from its first season.
In a follow-up explanation, 21XFOUR commented,
“Now that this new series exists in a different universe and has offered a few glimpses of its Uncle Ben, it feels like the perfect opportunity to revisit the idea.”
— 21XFOUR, Artist
This reflects longstanding fan interest in seeing Maguire, who famously portrayed Peter Parker in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man films, take on the Uncle Ben role in the MCU, an idea floated notably before his return as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Potential Reasons Tobey Maguire Could Suit the Uncle Ben Role
With Marvel’s increasing embrace of legacy characters and multiverse narratives—seen most recently with the return of the original X-Men cast in Avengers: Doomsday—the possibility of Maguire portraying Uncle Ben in the animated series is not outside the realm of plausibility. However, whether Maguire would commit to a smaller role in a Marvel TV production remains uncertain given his selective approach to acting gigs.
Over the past eight years, Maguire has appeared in only a handful of films, including his notable reprisal in No Way Home, which has further heightened fan hopes for his involvement in MCU storylines. Despite this, many viewers might prefer that he return as Spider-Man rather than voice acting as Uncle Ben.
That said, the narrative setup for Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man offers room for flashbacks or appearances by Uncle Ben, especially since the series’ first season reveals that Peter’s father, Richard Parker, remains alive. This leaves open intriguing possibilities for future installments that could include Maguire’s involvement in a more significant capacity.
Fans enthusiastic about Maguire’s legacy as Spider-Man might consider a dual appearance exciting—a live-action return alongside a voice role would create a rare Spider-Man event that bridges both animation and film within the expanding MCU multiverse.
Overview of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Its Cast
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man takes place in a separate universe within the MCU’s multiverse, where a different set of circumstances shapes Peter Parker’s journey. The series follows Peter, voiced by Hudson Thames, whose mentor is Norman Osborn, voiced by Colman Domingo. The show continues the story after the death of Uncle Ben, emphasizing this altered path for the iconic hero.
Supporting voices in the series include Kari Wahlgren as May Parker, contributing to the show’s deepening family dynamics. Although Uncle Ben has not been voiced yet in this show, the glimpses provided so far hint at his key importance in Peter’s story moving forward.
Overall, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man expands Marvel Television’s exploration of multiverse storylines, allowing fresh interpretations of familiar characters, and potentially paving the way for legacy actors like Tobey Maguire to take new roles within this rich narrative tapestry.
2 1 C O N C E P T S :
Title: MCU Uncle Ben / Ben Parker Concept
Uncle Ben / Ben Parker:
Actor: Tobey Maguire“With great power comes great responsibility.”
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This series is about crafting concepts from ideas, providing new perspectives, and sparking the imagination.For… pic.twitter.com/EetSxj6iQt
— 21XFOUR (@21xfour) February 20, 2025
