Skip navigation

Maguire: Ready for ‘Spider-Man 4’

The 31-year-old actor had initially said no to another installment

NBC News video
Return of Spider-Man
April 30: TODAY host Meredith Vieira talks to the star Tobey Maguire about love, Peter Parker's dark side and a possible fourth film.

Today Show Entertainment

NBC News video
Spidey swings into New York City
April 30: Mayor Bloomberg welcomes our sticky hero Peter Parker back to his hometown and talks to TODAY about Spider-Man week.

Today Show Entertainment

Slide show
Image: Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
  Celeb sightings
Jolie and Pitt back in the USA, Miley jumps for joy at Sweet 16th, the Boss backs Obama and more.

more photos

Special feature
Movie night eats
Pass on the popcorn and pair your fave film — whether it's "The Departed" or "Driving Miss Daisy" — with foods it inspires.
Slide show
  Portraits from Vanity Fair
See iconic images of 20th-century figures such as Clint Eastwood, Amelia Earhart, Greta Garbo and more.

more photos

By Mike Celizic
TODAYShow.com contributor
updated 1:52 p.m. ET May 3, 2007

It’s almost certain there will be a "Spider-Man 4", and Tobey Maguire is willing to consider continuing his role as the Webslinger.

"I would assume that they’re going to make more Spider-Man movies," Maguire told Meredith Vieira and a screaming crowd of fans on TODAY. "I’ve had such a good time making them. For me, it all depends on if there’s a great story for me, Peter Parker. If [director] Sam Raimi is there, I’d be definitely excited to consider that possibility."

The 31-year-old actor had initially said he would not make Spider-Man 4, but now that the third installment is premiering, Maguire talked about how enjoyable his journey has been and wouldn’t rule out coming back.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement

"We just have a lot of fun making the movies," he said. "We want to make it more exciting, more fun for the fans, and we’re just trying to satisfy ourselves at the same time. "We’re like a little family unit now. We’ve made three movies together."

The third installment is opening at the Tribeca Film Festival in Queens, home town of Spider-Man’s alter-ego and Maguire’s character, Peter Parker. The United States debut follows grand openings in Japan, Italy, Russia, France, Germany and England.

Advance ticket sales for Spider-Man 3 are running three to four times higher than sales for Spider-Man 2, which opened in 2004. The movie is so hot, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, home of the TODAY show, to proclaim this "Spider-Man Week," and volunteer that the proclamation "may be the most important thing I’m going to do this week."

Like Peter Parker at the beginning of the newest movie, things are going very well for Maguire. In the movie, he told Vieira, "Everything is kind of in place. He intends to propose to M.J. He’s kind of basking in the glory of being Spider-Man."

In real life, Maguire just last November became a father to Ruby Sweetheart Maguire, and is engaged to marry Jennifer Meyer, Ruby’s mother. After growing up in poverty, quitting school at 13 to act, and struggling to break into movies, life is very good.

"I love my daughter. I love my fiancé," he said. "I don’t know if you ever quite figure it out, but it’s going very, very well."

Slide show
  'Spidey's' gang
Meet the characters that make up the world of 'Spider-Man.'
Among those cheering Maguire on was a group of Little Apple Hero kids, a group sponsored by Colombia Pictures and Spider-Man.

Vieira asked Maguire what lessons from his own childhood might help the Little Apple Heroes, who try to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

"It’s important to remain hopeful and optimistic and work hard," he said.

"It’s pretty amazing what the Little Apple heroes are doing. To me, that’s an inspiration."

The movie features three villains, played by James Franco, Thomas Haden Church and Topher Grace. Debuting is Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first love who has a crush on Spider-Man. Howard found out she was pregnant while filming the movie, which involves numerous stunts.

Vieira asked whether she was worried about doing the stunts while pregnant.

"We were all a little terrified, honestly," the actress said. "But then he came out, and he’s perfect."

Dallas Howard, whose dad is director Ron Howard, and her husband Seth Gabel had their first child, Theo, on Feb. 16.

Spider-Man encounters his dark side in the movie, and wears a black costume to emphasize that.

"I think it’s a real interesting story line," Maguire said. "It’s great to see Peter Parker have these conflicts to go through and to struggle with his own inner conflicts as well as with different villains."

© 2008 MSNBC Interactive