Highlights
- Spider-Man: No Way Home introduced the idea of a live-action multiverse, opening up possibilities for the incorporation of other Spider-Man characters like Miles Morales.
- Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, being older and more experienced, could be a great mentor for Miles Morales in a potential fourth film directed by Sam Raimi.
- Including Miles Morales in a fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man film would not only diversify the MCU's heroes but also provide a unique and culturally relevant perspective on being Spider-Man.
Fans of Marvel have been given a plethora of on-screen Spider-Man content for nearly 60 years; from the original 1967 animated series to the various live-action and animated films of the 21st century. Up until recently, these many stories of the New York City web-slinger were their own and had no connection with one another. However, while Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse initially introduced that idea in 2018, Spider-Man: No Way Home finally opened the door for the live-action multiverse and all its possibilities. It was warmly received by fans who never got a Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire.
With the incorporation of both Andrew Garfield and Maguire's Spider-Man storylines into the MCU, the franchise has so many fun ideas they can toy with in the near future. Seeing as though they both exist in the MCU after existing as their own cinematic entities, who's to say that can't be true about the newest Spidey addition: Miles Morales.
While Tom Holland is the primary face of Spider-Man in the MCU, it may be beneficial to bring Miles Morales into the Tobey Maguire storyline, instead. Not only would this officially bring Miles into the MCU, but it could also make way for a Spider-Man 4 from Sam Raimi.
Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man is Older and Wiser
A general constant for Peter Parker is that he is just a kid. In all three of the live-action franchises, Peter has started out as a high school student. After No Way Home, however, Tom Holland's Spider-Man is a recent high school graduate, while Tobey and Andrew's characters have aged significantly since their respective films. Out of the bunch, Tobey Maguire is the oldest.
Looking at the various recent appearances made by Miles Morales -- in the Spider-Verse and even the PlayStation video game -- the Peter in his universe is a fully grown adult, an experienced 38 years old and divorced in the Spider-Verse films. As Miles' Spidey mentor, it's important that whichever Spider-Man is picked has sufficient experience as a superhero and can properly teach Miles to be an amazing Spier-Man.
Some may argue that Holland's character has plenty of experience, seeing as though he was an Avenger and has been exposed more to modern science under the guidance of the late Tony Stark. Tobey, however, has encountered his fair share of villains, loss, and what it truly means to be Spider-Man, having taught the latter concept to Tom Holland's Spidey in No Way Home. So, chances are that everything that Holland's Spider-Man has yet to learn has mostly already been experienced by Maguire's Peter Parker.
Sam Raimi Hasn't Ruled Out Spider-Man 4
With all the excitement that bringing Miles into the MCU has conjured among fans, a fourth Tobey Maguire Spider-Man directed by Sam Raimi brings just as much excitement, especially for the older fans who grew up with his films. After the release of No Way Home, which brought back many characters from the Raimi franchise, the beloved director has expressed his openness to resurrecting the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man storyline with a fourth film.
In a 2022 interview with Moviepilot, Raimi said, "I didn't think [Spider-Man 4] was possible, but after jumping back in with the multiverse, I realized that -- just like Dr. Strange does -- anything is possible now," adding, "I'm completely open to it."
With him on board, along with much of the MCU fanbase, it's up to the studio as to whether they will green-light Raimi's Spider-Man 4. Additionally, including Miles Morales in the story not only makes it that much more interesting, but it helps make the film more relevant within both the multiverse and among the younger viewers.
A Long Shot: Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire Could Include Miles Morales
Miles Morales has established himself as one of the greatest portrayals of Spider-Man of all time. With such a unique story and the connection with an older, close to retired Peter Parker, Miles' character would be the perfect jumpstart the MCU needs to revamp the franchise into what it once was.
Another crucial aspect of Miles' character is the cultural relevance. He serves as the first ever Black Spider-Man (and second Latino Spider-Man after the Spider-Man 2099 comic in 1992), giving an entirely new perspective on who Spider-Man could be and what it means to be New York City's greatest neighborhood superhero. Miles' story gives so much of the younger fanbase an opportunity to see their favorite comic book hero come to life as someone who both looks like them and understands what it means to be a person of color, with all the culture and struggles that may come with that.
Bringing Miles into a possible fourth Raimi Spider-Man film not only helps diversify the greatest heroes of the MCU, but it would simply make for such a great story. It's perfectly set up with an older, more experienced Peter Parker, and thanks to No Way Home and the Spider-Verse films, the multiverse is fair game, allowing Miles to appear in future MCU films.
Having Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire made would be incredible, but it would be an absolutely missed opportunity if Raimi didn't take advantage of what if offered to him with the incorporation of Miles Morales. Hopefully Miles makes his way to the live-action screen soon enough, as well as the return of Tobey Maguire who would make such a great Spidey teacher.