As one of the most-hyped movies in years, the expectations were very high with the recent release of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Marvel fans were thrilled with Tom Holland’s third solo movie as the titular web-slinger, and they especially loved seeing characters from the past brought back in new and exciting ways. Before we move on with this story, be warned that MAJOR SPOILERS are ahead for anyone who hasn’t seen the film and doesn’t know for sure exactly who appears.
Chances are, however, you’re fully aware of the big returns that happen in No Way Home. It was clear from the trailers that the movie brought in characters from the different Spidey movies, such as Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin and Alfred Molina’s Doc Ock from the Spider-Man films, as well as Jamie Foxx’s Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Fans were hoping that Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield would also appear as their respective incarnations of Spider-Man, and the rumors were fortunately true as both are in the film.
In a new interview with THR, Spider-Man: No Way Home writers Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers say Maguire and Garfield had officially signed on by December 2020. At that time, neither had seen a single page of the script, putting all of their trust into the writers to come up with something great for them. The pair quickly worked together to come up with material for the returning Spider-Men, and they were ecstatic to hear that Maguire and Garfield were satisfied, and even wanted to share some of their own suggestions. As Sommers explains:
“They had thoughts, and it was really interesting and helpful to see their thoughts. No one knows the character as well as — or gives as much thought to the character — as someone who has to then embody it and sell it. … It definitely shaped what we did.”
McKenna goes on to explain that Maguire and Garfield were really helpful with the creative process, understanding better than anyone else what it’s like to be Spider-Man. They weren’t just contributing to what happens with their own Spideys but also helping to craft the story direction of the newest Spider-Man, Tom Holland.
“They had great ideas that really elevated everything we were going for and added layers and an arc and we really actually started honing into the idea that these two guys were really helping Tom’s Peter on his journey to becoming who he ends up becoming. There’s a crucial, moral moment that they help him get through in the climax of the movie. So much of that was brought by Tobey and Andrew’s ideas and shaping of what they thought their characters could bring to this story.”
It’s all worked out, as even with extremely high expectations, Spider-Man: No Way Home was incredibly well-received. It has garnered universal acclaim from fans and critics alike, many calling it one of the best superhero movies of all time. We can’t blame the producers for hoping to bring back Holland for another movie trilogy, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see both of the other Spider-Men someday again as well.
Spider-Man: No Way Home is currently playing in theaters, pulling in immense sums of money and smashing box office records in the process.
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