Just over a decade ago Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire was one of Hollywood’s biggest actors.
The American burst onto our screens after landing the role of Peter Parker in 2002 – however, if you’re wondering what he’s up to these days, well, you’re not alone.
Yes he had a big role in the Marvel film Spiderman: No Way Home – but due to the fact he was an original web-slinger they sort of had to bring him back
Apart from some sporadic roles in movies over the last few years Maguire has pretty much dropped off of the radar entirely.
A vegan, he was treated for a drinking problem early in his career but has remained sober since.
Divorced Tobey, 46, is also a high-stakes poker player who organised the celeb-packed private games of the 2000s, which were featured in the film Molly’s Game.
From Hollywood stinkers to accusations of making a woman “bark like a seal” here are some of the reasons Tobey Maguire is no longer appearing in films.
Spider-Man 3 was a disaster
(Image: PA)
It’s funny to think that the franchise that kick-started Maguire’s Hollywood career is also the same franchise that stunted it.
Following the successes of Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, hopes were incredibly high for the third instalment of the superhero story.
Yet, Spider-Man 3 was an unbelievably bad movie and derailed the momentum that the first two had given the franchise.
It was received poorly by critics and anyone that watched will have been desperately trying to erase the cringe memory of Peter Parker dancing on the big screen.
Even director Sam Raimi conceded that the film had its shortcomings. In a 2014 interview with Nerdist, he said: “I messed up plenty with the third Spider-Man, so people hated me for years.”
‘Bark like a seal’
(Image: Getty Images)
One of Maguire’s more infamous ‘habits’ has been his penchant for gambling.
Back in 2011 his name was linked with a various who’s who of Hollywood stars in including Leonardo Di Caprio and Ben Affleck for their involvement of an illegal poker club
The whole thing came to a head when it was revealed that the clubs alleged ringleader was using investors money in poker games. Maguire settled in 2012 to avoid litigation.
Following the settlement a woman named Molly Bloom, who was involved in organising a lot of the games, had some bad things to say about Maguire.
On one occasion Maguire allegedly told Molly to “bark like a seal” for a $1,000 chip that he’d won.
Molly knew what her famous, and not-so-famous, clients expected of a night at the table.
For a decade the champagne flowed, served by stunning models, while masseuses and even acupuncturists were on standby.
She called Affleck the perfect gentleman and hinted DiCaprio only joined to be sociable.
But she labels Spiderman star Maguire “the worst tipper, biggest winner and absolute worst loser.”
Spider-Man 4 was cancelled
(Image: REUTERS)
Back in 2010, following the disappointment of Spider-Man 3, it was announced that both Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi had dropped out of making Spider-Man 4.
Sony announced the news, instead giving the franchise a major overhaul with a new director, script and leading man – which, of course turned out to be Andrew Garfield.
It is thought Raimi quit because he was unhappy with the old script.
Maguire said: “I am so proud of what we accomplished with the Spider-Man franchise. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story.”
So what is Tobey Maguire doing now?
(Image: BLEECKER STREET)
Maguire, 46, of course came back for 2021’s new Spiderman flick alongside Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield.
But his last major starring role in his own right from 2013’s Great Gatsby alongside Di Caprio – although he did appear in the lower budget Pawn Sacrifice.
Now he is more likely to produce films rather than star in them with his name on Rock of Ages, and sci-fi drama The 5th Wave.
In 2015, Maguire said: “It’s always difficult to find projects that I want to get involved in, so that’s a continuous challenge.”
He established his own production company in 2012 called Material Pictures and also produced Pawn Sacrifice – the story of an American chess champion taking on his Soviet rival.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
