Nostalgia fans are currently doing somersaults at the idea that Tobey Maguire could be in the next Spider-Man flick. An Instagram post from the stunt coordinator working on No Way Home (due for release later in 2021) may have seemed innocuous as it lamented the wrapping of the film this March. But eagle-eyed fans noticed that tagged in the post was a stuntman of particular note. The hashtag #chrisdaniels had fans’ Spidey senses tingling because Daniels was famed for his work as Tobey Maguire’s stunt double way back in 2002, 2004, and 2007. Does this mean Maguire is on board? Why do fans want this so much – how responsible is nostalgia for keeping the idea of Spider-Man alive in the first place?
Why Do Fans Want Tobey Maguire?
It has been touted since October 2020 that previous incarnations of Spider-Man would appear in the third instalment of Tom Holland’s run in the role which began in 2017. While Andrew Garfield’s time in the suit seems relatively recent (it was only 2014 when he starred in The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Maguire represents the renaissance of Peter Parker that brought Spider-Man to the big screen and really made him a household name. So, many would argue that Maguire represents the nostalgia of Spider-Man.
In Maguire’s day, there was no Marvel Cinematic Universe (Iron Man was released in 2008, a year after Maguire’s final film) so Spider-Man had no opportunities to be part of something bigger. The dedication to the franchise and the ability to bring together so many beloved heroes mean that seeing Maguire back in his lycra would be a full-circle moment. Many fans from the original films will be older now and would enjoy looking back at a simpler time for Spider-Man.
The Power of Nostalgia
The 2000s are seeing somewhat of a boom. Skinny jeans are out and people are dressing as though they stepped out of an episode of The OC. So, it makes sense that latching onto the superhero of the early 2000s could help evoke these memories. Nostalgia works by using memory to stir emotions. Usually, these are positive. A 2014 study with the Journal of Consumer Research found that customers spent more money when shopping and being hit with nostalgia. The positive emotions attached to memories were likely the reason for this. As such, nostalgia is used across entertainment to evoke feelings attached to memories formed in the past.
Nostalgia has been implemented across digital entertainment. As the Lara Croft: Temples and Tombs slot game shows, even online casinos are harnessing the power of a beloved heroine from the past. Audiences looking to play on the site will see the game and will be reminded of the memories it evokes, which could persuade them to choose the site over others. Elsewhere, the game Slither.io is a modernized version of the classic mobile game Snake. The game relies on the nostalgia factor of the original game while completely adapting the gameplay to suit modern digital technology.
The slew of reboots and remakes across film and TV is fueled largely by nostalgia. The nostalgia brought about by the shows helps guarantee an audience, making them a good investment. Serial killer serial Dexter (2006 – 2013) is set to come back for a 10-episode continuation of the series. Gossip Girl is undergoing the soft reboot treatment despite only ending in 2012. Even reality TV shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race tap into nostalgia when mining their back catalogue of queens for the AllStars editions of the competition show.
Do All Fans Want Maguire Back?
There are some diehard fans who have been screaming from the rooftops against Maguire and Garfield reprising their roles. Many suggest it is just fan service. Fan service in the course of the plot is good and results in a positive fan response – Avengers: Endgame was considered a film full of it. But fan service for the sake of it is often criticized. If there is a genuine, plot-driven reason to bring back old Spider-Men, then it would be welcomed. But many don’t want it for the sake of it. Fans are excited, however, at the prospect of Jamie Foxx reprising his role as Electro.
Some also point to the fact that Into the Spider-Verse (2018) already included a parallel universe. That seems to be the only way to bring back alternate Spider-Men. So, the film will either rehash previous ground or will make Maguire’s appearance shoehorned in. From an actor standpoint, some suggest Tom Holland wouldn’t really want to be upstaged by an actor who hasn’t really been in the limelight since 2013’s The Great Gatsby.
Whatever role Tobey Maguire has in the forthcoming winter release of Spider-Man: No Way Home – if he’s in it at all – will no doubt result in mixed reactions. Fans of the original big-screen Peter Parker will rejoice at Tobey Maguire, while detractors will take to their blogs to complain. Regardless, the move is clever because it guarantees that some people will go see the film just to see what happens with the return of the old Spider-Men. This shows the pulling power of nostalgia.
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It makes sense fans want this.
These were ridiculously successful movies, a trilogy that was #1 for the year in the box office twice.
With Spider-Man 3 being the weakest of the bunch, fans want to see hints of a satisfying ending.
I think fans are going to be disappointed in these parallel Spideys. If they really do it, I expect only a few moments of Maguire and Garfield. Maybe they’ll move the story along somehow but Feige and crew won’t want to overshadow Tom Holland.