The Tobey Maguire/Peter Parker Thread

[DACrowe]

Why do people act like Maguire can't lose it? He was seen as chubby after SM2 but was in pretty good shape in The Good German and then Spider-Man 3. No he wasn't muscular. He had a very toned and good look in SM1 and then he had a very lean look and a very believable image in Seabiscuit which made him tone out the wirey look in SM2. It is obvious after doing 3 very physically demanding roles in a role he got...leasuirely? to put it nicely? But he still got in shape for SM3, albeit it is obvious he didn't put on muscle mass the third time around.

But really that is the least of my concerns as there is no way Sony would allow any actor of their $300 million tentpole and breadbasket be accused of being chubby upon release. Age-wsie...meh. He can still pass for early 20s as Peter was 21 in SM3 and it is likely he'll be a few years older (or at least a year older and graduating from college) in the next film.

I personally am very keen now on the idea of a Joss Whedon type taking on the franchise in a new more fiesty direction with more of an edge, but I am all for Raimi coming back and doing one more partially to redeem the mistakes of SM3 (which I think is still decent and severely undeerrated by most fans and even worse most woul-be fans who watched the cartoon and think they are an authority on the comics), but mainly to see his take on the Lizard which I have wanted since SM1 and closure to Peter/MJ's relationship (aka marriage) while Maguire and Dunst are still playing the parts.

After that I'm ready to move on. But throwing out "oh he got fat," which is a broad exaggeration is silly, since he wil lbe contactually obligated be fit by the time cameras roll on SM4 (if he returns). And I stand by he is a very good actor, whose subtlty and skill of craft is lost on most internet fans who are looking for the Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt movie star staple personas.

 

[Mr Jide]

This

is too fat to be Spidey.

ROTFL!! People want this belly-busting, man-boob to return as spidey?? LMAO! TMags to me, seems to lack the commitment to get back into the shape any actor should be in, should they be playing the role of spider-man.

This just makes me respect people like Christian Bale and Deniro even Daniel Craig a whole lot more.....as for TMags' body in sm2. It wasn't a disaster but he still want cut enough. There isn't a single excuse that anyone can tell me that can pardon TMags' failure at achieving the right body-look for his role in sm2 and 3.

 

[DACMAN]

Why do people act like Maguire can't lose it? He was seen as chubby after SM2 but was in pretty good shape in The Good German and then Spider-Man 3. No he wasn't muscular. He had a very toned and good look in SM1 and then he had a very lean look and a very believable image in Seabiscuit which made him tone out the wirey look in SM2. It is obvious after doing 3 very physically demanding roles in a role he got...leasuirely? to put it nicely? But he still got in shape for SM3, albeit it is obvious he didn't put on muscle mass the third time around.

But really that is the least of my concerns as there is no way Sony would allow any actor of their $300 million tentpole and breadbasket be accused of being chubby upon release. Age-wsie...meh. He can still pass for early 20s as Peter was 21 in SM3 and it is likely he'll be a few years older (or at least a year older and graduating from college) in the next film.

I personally am very keen now on the idea of a Joss Whedon type taking on the franchise in a new more fiesty direction with more of an edge, but I am all for Raimi coming back and doing one more partially to redeem the mistakes of SM3 (which I think is still decent and severely undeerrated by most fans and even worse most woul-be fans who watched the cartoon and think they are an authority on the comics), but mainly to see his take on the Lizard which I have wanted since SM1 and closure to Peter/MJ's relationship (aka marriage) while Maguire and Dunst are still playing the parts.

After that I'm ready to move on. But throwing out "oh he got fat," which is a broad exaggeration is silly, since he wil lbe contactually obligated be fit by the time cameras roll on SM4 (if he returns). And I stand by he is a very good actor, whose subtlty and skill of craft is lost on most internet fans who are looking for the Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt movie star staple personas.

I don't want Tom Cruise. You're trying to put words in our mouths. I just want someone who it the right body type and can give a line without sounding like he's falling asleep. Spider-Man is funny, witty, and light hearted. Maguire is soft spoken, shy, and kind of soft.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

I find hysterical to see so many Tobey haters whine, complain, and ***** about Tobey's body. Are you so bored with your life that you have to concentrate on another mans body?

Look, I feel Tobey did a pretty good job as Peter/Spidey. It's not his fault that Sam Raimi and the writers didn't make Spidey more confident, funny, and witty. But the ones complaining are the ones who simply want a mindless action film with stupid one liners and no story whatsoever. Am I 100% happy with the Spider-Man films? No. But I feel they're very good movies and not some disaster that many are claiming them to be.

Tobey did a great job at being witty and funny in Spider-Man 3. He had more quips and was a lot more confident in this one.

As for his body? Christian Bale and Tobey Maguire have said many times how hard it is to continually get back in shape for a specific film. In Spider-Man 1 he was in great shape, in SM2 you never saw what kind of shape he was in, and in SM3 you still didn't see what kind of shape he was in. The fact of the matter is that it's difficult to maintain motivation and get back in shape over and over.

I could be wrong, but I remember Tobey saying he went on a "crash diet" and that he didn't recommend anyone doing what he did. Bottom line? Stop concentrating on his body so damn much. I could see if he came to the set looking like Jack Black or something.

 

[DACMAN]

I find hysterical to see so many Tobey haters whine, complain, and ***** about Tobey's body. Are you so bored with your life that you have to concentrate on another mans body?

Look, I feel Tobey did a pretty good job as Peter/Spidey. It's not his fault that Sam Raimi and the writers didn't make Spidey more confident, funny, and witty. But the ones complaining are the ones who simply want a mindless action film with stupid one liners and no story whatsoever.

This is called building a straw man in debate. You've built up an arguement that is easily knocked down that nobody but yourself built. No one here has said "we want an action movie with no story" You put the words in our mouths to make it seem like you've just made a good point. All we're saying is we want him more like the comics Spidey. And obviously we know the comics have plenty of story.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

This is called building a straw man in debate. You've built up an arguement that is easily knocked down that nobody but yourself built. No one here has said "we want an action movie with no story" You put the words in our mouths to make it seem like you've just made a good point. All we're saying is we want him more like the comics Spidey. And obviously we know the comics have plenty of story.

I've provided a good argument. I've seen your posts many times and all you've done is whine, complain, and cry about Spider-Man having no quips, no witty one liners, and not enough action.

You don't outright say it, but you imply it in your posts despite what kind of denials you offer in your debate. Even if he was like his comic book counterpart you'd still complain anyways, why? Because comic book fans are never happy with what they receive.

As far as depictions go I feel Batman(Batman Begins), Human Torch, The Thing, Iron Man(From what we've seen), and Spider-Man are the best on screen depictions.

 

[DACMAN]

. In Spider-Man 1 he was in great shape, in SM2 you never saw what kind of shape he was in

Are you kidding?

In Spider-Man 2 he takes his shirt off...

 

[DACrowe]

I don't want Tom Cruise. You're trying to put words in our mouths. I just want someone who it the right body type and can give a line without sounding like he's falling asleep. Spider-Man is funny, witty, and light hearted. Maguire is soft spoken, shy, and kind of soft.

I said you wanted a leading man persona. That is why crappy actors get thrown out all the time on these boards as possible candidates. You ojnly care about looks and you want a straightforward and boring performance that is conventional, because it will be "hipper than sleepy Maguire." Maguire is actually a very talented actor and your lack of acknolwedging that seems to state you don't know much about acting but would be happy with an Orlando Bloom type of stand-in performance if it looked the part (not saying Bloom is your choice. But using it as an example in how if say Christian Bale had played Balian in Kingdom of Heaven instead of Bloom's steady but dull performance, it would have been much better).

I don't understand the obsession over Maguire's body. He can get back in shape. No he isn't exactly the chameleon that a Bale or DeNiro is (or was) with his body, but he did get toned in SM1, got super-thin and wirey in Seabiscuit and then put back on muscle mass for SM2. SM3 showed he didn't put as much effort into getting in shape for it, but I really think that is a minor quibble when all is said and done.

This is just fanboy ranting on the internet half a year after the movie. And it is sad.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

Are you kidding?

In Spider-Man 2 he takes his shirt off...

Yes, but it wasn't a good close up like in Spider-Man 1. It was a quick shot so you couldn't see what kind of shape he was in. Now you're the one grasping at straws.

 

[Mr Jide]

I find hysterical to see so many Tobey haters whine, complain, and ***** about Tobey's body. Are you so bored with your life that you have to concentrate on another mans body?

First of all, I don't hate TMags, I just feel he lacks in certain areas to really capture the parker/spidey persona....and in fairness to him, its not all his fault. However, I know who spider-man is, what he's about and what he should look like and TMags' body in reppin' the character was blatantly unjust.

Look, I feel Tobey did a pretty good job as Peter/Spidey. It's not his fault that Sam Raimi and the writers didn't make Spidey more confident, funny, and witty. But the ones complaining are the ones who simply want a mindless action film with stupid one liners and no story whatsoever.

Never have I seen a post that effortlessly makes such a false and sweeping statement. I think you need to actually read wha people are posting as opposed to fabricting false comments on behalf of fellow posters.

Am I 100% happy with the Spider-Man films? No. But I feel they're very good movies and not some disaster that many are claiming them to be.

Well, its all a matter of opinion. I for one think that sm2 was the best made spidey movie but is, overall the weakest of the 3, followed by spidey 1 then spidey 3.

Tobey did a great job at being witty and funny in Spider-Man 3. He had more quips and was a lot more confident in this one.

Agreed. I commented on this in my review. This imo is TMags' best performance as spidey.

As for his body? Christian Bale and Tobey Maguire have said many times how hard it is to continually get back in shape for a specific film.

Thats pretty obvious though. Making changes to your body in terms of losing weight or getting into shape is extremely demanding and a huge tax on one's discipline. However, these are actors that are making money some of us will never see in our life times. They have the time and money to get into whatever shape they need to be in and thats why I said, I have much respect for the likes of Daniel Craig, Dinero and Christian Bale who have all undergone huge body changes, especially Bale. Look at what he did for the machinist and how he came back within mere months to do batman.

In Spider-Man 1 he was in great shape, in SM2 you never saw what kind of shape he was in, and in SM3 you still didn't see what kind of shape he was in.

In sm2 we see him with his shirt off very briefly but he was stretching and it was too easy to identify that he was in the shape of your average joe. No toning or muscle definition. He may have been fit enough to pull off some minor stunts but the look of his body was unaccaptable for the likes of a superhero to the point they couldn't even show off his body for more than 2 seconds.
As for sm3, we see him in the shower but thats only from the neck up and again, its for the same reason we didn't see much of his body in sm2, looks-wise he just wasn't in any impressive shape. Then there's the belltower scene....they had to use shadow to cover most of his body...

The fact of the matter is that it's difficult to maintain motivation and get back in shape over and over.

If this is your defence for TMags then I'm afraid all you've done is emphasise why he shouldn't return. This is a multimillion dollar superhero franchise, where the lead just so happens to be spider-man. Being in shape is a pre-requisite. Again I point you toards Christian Bale, Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman. These 3 actors go all out in bringing their characters to life. Craig doesn't even have to be too buff for Bond but he does it anyway and has said he's going to be in better shape than what he was in for CR.

I could be wrong, but I remember Tobey saying he went on a "crash diet" and that he didn't recommend anyone doing what he did. Bottom line? Stop concentrating on his body so damn much. I could see if he came to the set looking like Jack Black or something.

If TMags, making the millions he does can't even be bothered to get into the right shape for the role then he has no business being in these movies. I've already used Bale, Jackman and Craig as examples of actors doing their jobs properly. Why should TMags be exempt? This isn't about concentrtaing on his body "so damn much" its about a pasty actor who cant be bothered and is to weak to get into the shape he should be in for this role.

 

[Blader5489]

Then there's the belltower scene....they had to use shadow to cover most of his body...

Yeah, the bottom half. Why would you want to see that?

 

[LastSunrise1981]

First of all, I don't hate TMags, I just feel he lacks in certain areas to really capture the parker/spidey persona....and in fairness to him, its not all his fault. However, I know who spider-man is, what he's about and what he should look like and TMags' body in reppin' the character was blatantly unjust.



Never have I seen a post that effortlessly makes such a false and sweeping statement. I think you need to actually read wha people are posting as opposed to fabricting false comments on behalf of fellow posters.



Well, its all a matter of opinion. I for one think that sm2 was the best made spidey movie but is, overall the weakest of the 3, followed by spidey 1 then spidey 3.



Agreed. I commented on this in my review. This imo is TMags' best performance as spidey.



Thats pretty obvious though. Making changes to your body in terms of losing weight or getting into shape is extremely demanding and a huge tax on one's discipline. However, these are actors that are making money some of us will never see in our life times. They have the time and money to get into whatever shape they need to be in and thats why I said, I have much respect for the likes of Daniel Craig, Dinero and Christian Bale who have all undergone huge body changes, especially Bale. Look at what he did for the machinist and how he came back within mere months to do batman.



In sm2 we see him with his shirt off very briefly but he was stretching and it was too easy to identify that he was in the shape of your average joe. No toning or muscle definition. He may have been fit enough to pull off some minor stunts but the look of his body was unaccaptable for the likes of a superhero to the point they couldn't even show off his body for more than 2 seconds.
As for sm3, we see him in the shower but thats only from the neck up and again, its for the same reason we didn't see much of his body in sm2, looks-wise he just wasn't in any impressive shape. Then there's the belltower scene....they had to use shadow to cover most of his body...



If this is your defence for TMags then I'm afraid all you've done is emphasise why he shouldn't return. This is a multimillion dollar superhero franchise, where the lead just so happens to be spider-man. Being in shape is a pre-requisite. Again I point you toards Christian Bale, Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman. These 3 actors go all out in bringing their characters to life. Craig doesn't even have to be too buff for Bond but he does it anyway and has said he's going to be in better shape than what he was in for CR.



If TMags, making the millions he does can't even be bothered to get into the right shape for the role then he has no business being in these movies. I've already used Bale, Jackman and Craig as examples of actors doing their jobs properly. Why should TMags be exempt? This isn't about concentrtaing on his body "so damn much" its about a pasty actor who cant be bothered and is to weak to get into the shape he should be in for this role.

Christian Bale also nearly killed himself doing what he did for the Machinist and then coming to Batman. You have fans already complaining about his toned down body type for The Dark Knight.

But as I said, in his defense, to continue getting into shape back to back for certain films is very demanding. I'm not saying he was in the best shape for the last two Spider-Man films, far from it, all I'm saying is he didn't come to the set looking like Jack Black or anything you know?

The difference between Hugh Jackman, Bale, and Craig are they seem to have good genes. If I'm not mistaken all of them were involved in some kind of athletics and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Tobey is a vegetarian so it should be easier for him to stay in shape, however, it could be because he got tired of losing the definition, then trying to gain it back, and then lose it again for another movie, and then gain it back again. I can imagine how tiring, boring, and repetitive it would get.

But I understand what you're saying. Hell, I was disappointed that Ben Affleck was in piss poor shape for Daredevil.

 

[UltimateJustin]

Its laughable how quickly the Spiderman franchise turned from "excellent" to "total garbage" with just one mediocre film. Take it for what it is, its not the quintessential franchise it could have been but its still easily the best superhero trilogy and will be unless Batsman can keep it up. It isnt the Spiderman from the comics, but it is still a fine series of comic book films. As for Tobey's bod, it doesnt make you gay to expect the guy to get into better shape for these movies, but lets face it, its astonishing he ever got into good shape for the first one. Its not like hes Christian Bale, he is Tobey Maguire, a doofus. Hes not a sexy guy. So even though its lame he didnt stay in shape, its also understandable that weights would hurt his feeble and gentle body.

 

[DACMAN]

Its laughable how quickly the Spiderman franchise turned from "excellent" to "total garbage" with just one mediocre film. Take it for what it is, its not the quintessential franchise it could have been but its still easily the best superhero trilogy and will be unless Batsman can keep it up. It isnt the Spiderman from the comics, but it is still a fine series of comic book films. As for Tobey's bod, it doesnt make you gay to expect the guy to get into better shape for these movies, but lets face it, its astonishing he ever got into good shape for the first one. Its not like hes Christian Bale, he is Tobey Maguire, a doofus. Hes not a sexy guy. So even though its lame he didnt stay in shape, its also understandable that weights would hurt his feeble and gentle body.

I can agree with all of that.

And for the record, the second Spider-Man is like, my favorite movie of all time (one of them any way)t:

 

[InsomniacFreak]

And I stand by [Maguire] is a very good actor, whose subtlty and skill of craft is lost on most internet fans who are looking for the Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt movie star staple personas.

True that. Eleventy Billion times true that.

In this ever-angry sea of discontent, it's a rare treat to see the least bit of recognition for the value that Tobey brought to the franchise. Thanks for getting it and for speaking out.

I can't wait for someone else to finally get cast so I can come back here in a few years and quietly savor all the whining and moaning many of you will be doing about the brave soul who decided to attempt to fill Tobey's tights. When it happens, perhaps people will begin to truly appreciate all the heart and soul that Tobey pumped into the character.

 

[Mr Jide]

InsominacFreak, you talk as though TMags is the only actor who can do the role justice. Surely, you're not naieve enough to believe that. There are actors out there who may do a much better job but the only way to see that is if the studio doesn't act like Maguire-loyalists like so many people here are and realise that these movies are much bigger than their actors.

I know TMags is a good actor BUT I feel as though his interpretation has short-changed the peter/spider-man character....and I'll say that, it's not entirely his fault. I recently bought the sm3 dvd and watched the blooper reel and to my shock, I saw a side of Maguire I've never seen before and its a shame because, he could have brought that energy and attitude to the character but clearly, the writers and Raimi wanted the character to follow a different direction.

 

[DACMAN]

I've provided a good argument. I've seen your posts many times and all you've done is whine, complain, and cry about Spider-Man having no quips, no witty one liners, and not enough action.

You don't outright say it, but you imply it in your posts

I "imply" it? You're an idiot.


I've never said it didn't have enough action. I think they have great action and just the right amount. Spider-Man 2 has the best action I think I have ever seen in a movie. I am however upset with the fact they don't make him funnier, yes.


And no, you didn't provide a good arguement.

 

[InsomniacFreak]

InsominacFreak, you talk as though TMags is the only actor who can do the role justice.

I don't think I said that but interpret however you will. My point was that people will find just as much fault with the next guy as you have with Maguire. If someone else signs on and shows up on set flashing John Basedow abs, and delivers the highly coveted 2-dimensional shallow one-liners straight from the comic book panels, people might finally realize that the fingerprint Tobey left on the Peter Parker character was more about heart and less about image. More about realism and less about fantasy. Some might begin to appreciate the difference then, whereas now, all they can talk about is what they think they're missing.

 

[Blader5489]

I don't think I said that but interpret however you will. My point was that people will find just as much fault with the next guy as you have with Maguire. If someone else signs on and shows up on set flashing John Basedow abs, and delivers the highly coveted 2-dimensional shallow one-liners straight from the comic book panels, people might finally realize that the fingerprint Tobey left on the Peter Parker character was more about heart and less about image. Some might begin to appreciate the difference then, whereas now, all they can talk about is what they think they're missing.

Well said.

 

[InsomniacFreak]

and I'll say that, it's not entirely his fault. I recently bought the sm3 dvd and watched the blooper reel and to my shock, I saw a side of Maguire I've never seen before and its a shame because, he could have brought that energy and attitude to the character but clearly, the writers and Raimi wanted the character to follow a different direction.

It's nice to hear this from you. Your comments on Tobey have always indicated to me that you thought he had no personality and therefore wasn't equipped to portray Spider-Man. As a Tobey fan I've spent a little more time getting to know more about the real person than those who have only watched him in a few films. He makes choices for the characters based on scripts and story arc. A lot of his characters have been the quiet introsepctive kind of guy. But there's always been this huge misconception by the general public that he's actually this borish guy with no sense of humor. It's so not the case and the bloopers do show a little bit of that so I was happy to see it too.

 

[InsomniacFreak]

And just to sprinkle a little sunshine on the Maguire-detractors, I fully expect that Tobey is done with the franchise. He's recently set about busily filling his schedule for the next few years and that is a strong indicator that he is moving on and not waiting around for another turn in the tights.

 

[New Goblin jr.]

Quote: "My point was that people will find just as much fault with the next guy as you have with Maguire. If someone else signs on and shows up on set flashing John Basedow abs, and delivers the highly coveted 2-dimensional shallow one-liners straight from the comic book panels, people might finally realize that the fingerprint Tobey left on the Peter Parker character was more about heart and less about image. Some might begin to appreciate the difference then, whereas now, all they can talk about is what they think they're missing."

I absolutley agree with InsomniacFreak. I think that is always the case when any actor/actress portrayes a already beloved character that a really strong fan base.
As for people thinking that certain charachters,lines,events etc, that was in the comics, should have been in the films I'll just say that just because it works in a comic dosen't mean that it works in a film. And if a film is just going to copy the comic, then whats the point?

 

[The Caped Knight]

Can't wait to here What tobey's got to say on the dvd commentary tomorrow .

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Can't wait to here What tobey's got to say on the dvd commentary tomorrow .

Agreed, I really enjoyed his commentary for Spidey2.

 

[omid17]

i hope topher says something in the commenary