The 2002 Spider-Man film holds an unquestionable status as one of the most cherished movies in the MCU, solidifying itself as both a box office hit and a cult favorite. Years later, Kirsten Dunst shared insights into the uncomfortable moments experienced while filming one of the movie's most iconic scenes.

Sam Raimi's first-ever live-action portrayal of the beloved superhero triumphed, initiating a string of numerous iconic moments within the franchise. Among these, the upside-down kiss in the rain scene between Spider-Man and Mary Jane remains etched in memory, often recalled and referenced. However, the romantic allure of the scene is tarnished by revelations from Kirsten Dunst, the actress portraying Mary Jane, shedding light on its less-than-idyllic filming circumstances.

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During her promotional tour for the film Civil War, Dunst made an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show and reminisced about her time filming Spider-Man. Despite being viewed as a romantic highlight by audiences, Dunst revealed that she was not as pleased with the scene. As reported by Variety, she described the experience as "miserable," highlighting that it was challenging for both herself and her co-star Tobey Maguire.

Dunst reminisced about Raimi giving her a book of famous kisses to inspire her for the forthcoming scene, intending to make it as memorable as possible, which they certainly achieved. In the movie, Spider-Man swoops in to save Mary Jane from a group of thugs in an alley. Then, the two share a passionate kiss with Spider-Man hanging upside down. While the kiss became a beloved moment for fans worldwide, Dunst did not find the whole experience particularly enjoyable. She explained; “It was pouring with rain, freezing, Tobey couldn’t breathe so it was almost like I was resuscitating him". However, Dunst had previously discussed the discomfort experienced during the scene. In a 2022 interview with W Magazine, she mentioned Maguire's struggles, noting that water was getting up his nose due to the rain, alongside difficulties breathing in the Spider-Man suit.

Additionally, Dunst has recently addressed another challenge encountered during the filming of the Spider-Man movies. She disclosed feeling uncomfortable with being labeled a "girly-girl," a term used jokingly by individuals involved in the production. Despite feeling diminished by these remarks, Dunst admitted to not speaking up at the time, attributing it to her lack of self-worth. "You didn't say anything. You just took it," she reflected, expressing a sense of being minimized. However, despite these difficulties, Dunst has expressed interest in returning to reprise her iconic role as Mary Jane in any future MCU projects.

Spider-Man (2002) is available on Disney Plus.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man is one of the biggest names in entertainment today. The superhero first appeared in the Marvel comic Amazing Fantasy #15 before becoming a leading figure in the Marvel comic-book universe.

Spider-Man has also featured in numerous films and a plethora of video games, most notably Insomniac Games' Spider-Man (2018) and Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

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