Spider-Man’s success boosted the fame and bank balance of the star, Tobey Maguire.

Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man ushered in an age of popularity for comic book movies that had never been seen on screen before. Helmed by Sam Raimi, with Kirsten Dunst playing Mary Jane Watson opposite Maguire’s Peter Parker, the film was an unprecedented hit. The film’s success meant that the studio immediately greenlit a sequel.

The leading actors returned to reprise their roles, and it also saw Maguire’s demand rise, since it had boosted his fame. Unsurprisingly, there was a pretty significant difference in the salaries of both protagonists. It is not far-fetched to believe he also pocketed a hefty check to star in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The film boosted Maguire’s career (Source: Spider-Man)

Tobey Maguire’s salary was much higher compared to Kirsten Dunst

Spider-Man proved to be a breakthrough film for Tobey Maguire. He was 26 years old when he suited up to play the web-slinging superhero, which ended up changing the trajectory of his life.

Kirsten Dunst was already an established actress by the time Sam Raimi came calling for the first time. She had worked with esteemed directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and Woody Allen, among others, and she had become a popular face in the industry.

In an interview with Variety, the actress recalled meeting Raimi for the first time. She felt the director’s love for the story running deep, and she knew that she wanted to be a part of his project. Kirsten immediately hit off with Maguire during their screen test in Berlin, where she was shooting Peter Bogdanovich’s The Cat’s Meow. Their connection was apparent from the get-go, and it translated well onto the screen.
Dunst played Peter’s lover, Mary Jane Watson (Source: Spider-Man)
Variety stated that Raimi’s film went on to make a whopping $825 million at the global box office. Things got a little messier from here since the publication also reported that Maguire was paid $17 million, while the actress was paid much less. Dunst naturally rued the difference in their salaries.

“It might have been more, actually,” she said. “It was different. A lot different. And I was in ‘Bring It On’ and had a track record,” Dunst divulged about about her own pay.

Kirsten Dunst could not evade the gender-based pay discrimination that affected women across the globe. However, she still has fond memories of the franchise.

Tobey Maguire returned to play Peter Parker in No Way Home

Since Maguire played the superhero, the mantle has been passed down to various actors. Tom Holland is the current Peter Parker in the MCU.

Maguire has moved on to other projects since Raimi’s series ended in 2007. However, he did make a surprise return in Holland’s film, alongside Andrew Garfield, who succeeded Maguire as the iconic character.
Maguire returned to the MCU as the superhero (Source: No Way Home)
The trio of webheads was a surprise that most did not see coming, and it evoked feelings of nostalgia in fans. Maguire was excited to don the suit again, but he was nervous too. In the end, it turned out to be an extremely rich experience for him, since he got to work with Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe again.

The actor’s love for the character knows no bounds. If he does suit up again in the future, at least it will not come as a surprise.