Spider-Man Trilogy – Break
To say that Tobey Maguire has had an up and down career to date would have to be an understatement. From struggling to find work and battling an alcohol addiction, Maguire went on to take the lead in a film adaptation of one of the most famous comics ever written.
Spider-Man Success
‘Spider-Man‘ was initially a sensation; it grossed hundreds of millions and gained good reviews. Maguire was praised for a poignant performance as Peter Parker and how convincing he was as ‘Spider-Man‘ also.
The film was nominated for two Oscars and not long after, a second film was announced with Maguire confirmed to continue his role. Again, the film was a triumph and Maguire was now a household name in and around Hollywood.
The 3rd and final instalment of the trilogy was less successful, leading to many suggestions that this would be the last film and despite rumours that a 4th film was in the pipeline, those have since been rejected, Maguire himself saying; “To me it seems like this is a natural point for the team to break up because we have a lot of story conclusions that were going along for the main characters for the first two movies and we kind of tie almost everything up for the third movie. It feels like a trilogy to me and it feels like the end.”
It was the end of ‘Spider-Man‘ but it should have just been the start of Maguire’s highly promising career. Maguire put a lot of time into the films, often turning down other roles due to the possibility of filming clashing with the ‘Spider-Man‘ films.
Early career
Maguire started off auditioning for parts in his late teens, often landing roles but only minor parts as his career took some time to take off.
Along the way he found himself competing for parts against a certain Leonardo DiCaprio more often than not. The two became good friends and remain so to this day and this showed by them making a pact ensuring they would both help each other get parts in films or TV shows if one was to get the role they originally both auditioned for.
Whilst this seemed to kick start DiCaprio’s career, Maguire’s stalled. A combination of a party lifestyle and heavy drinking saw Maguire take a back seat from acting as he sought to clean himself up. Maguire has been sober ever since he checked himself into Alcoholics Anonymous in 1995.
Eventual Breakthrough
The effort was worth it though as in the period leading up to ‘Spider-Man’, after finally taking the lead role in ‘The Ice Storm’ in 1997, Maguire went on to star in two Oscar winning films (‘The Cider House Rules’ and ‘Wonder Boys’) along with ‘Pleasantville’ which was nominated for three.
Change In Direction
However, since the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy has ended, Maguire for some reason or another has not starred in many films since. Whether this is down to the high physical demands that the role asked for or if he just decided to have a short break, the truth is Maguire seems to have gone off the radar slightly.
He did go on to star alongside Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘Brothers’ which did see Maguire get a nomination for a Golden
Globe for his part in this compelling drama in which he plays a Marine Captain who is held as a prisoner of war and presumed dead by his family. On his eventual return he grows suspicious and paranoid of a possible relationship between his wife and brother.
Maguire’s role in this film is fascinating as we see a new dark side to his acting that many critics were shocked and surprised to see.
What’s Next?
Since securing the role of Peter Parker, Maguire went on to make over $35,000,000 from the ‘Spider-Man‘ trilogy and he had finally got his big money role. Unfortunately, it has failed to propel his career into a worldwide phenomenon, much like his friend DiCaprio has managed to achieve.
A multitalented and well respected actor; it should not be difficult for Maguire to resurrect a stuttering career and starring alongside DiCaprio in ‘The Great Gatsby’ may well be the start of a new lease of life.
HOT WIRE 