Could Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man Return as a Dad in a New Movie?

Guess what, web-heads? The dream of seeing Tobey Maguire swing back into action as an older, fatherly Spider-Man is still alive, according to The Batman co-writer Mattson Tomlin, who says he hasn't gotten a "no" yet on his exciting pitch!

TL;DR

• The Batman: Part II co-writer Mattson Tomlin is actively pitching a Spider-Man 4 film starring Tobey Maguire as a husband and father.
• Tomlin recently confirmed on X that, while it's a long shot, he hasn't received a definitive "no" from the studios on his unique concept.
• This potential legacy sequel would follow up on Maguire's beloved return in Spider-Man: No Way Home and build on popular "dad Spidey" storylines from comics and animation.

The Enduring Web of Tobey Maguire's Beloved Spider-Man Legacy

Remember that mind-blowing moment in 2021 when Tobey Maguire, the OG friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, swung back onto our screens in Spider-Man: No Way Home? The roars from audiences worldwide were deafening, and it proved one thing: the love for Maguire's Peter Parker is as strong as ever. His appearance, alongside Andrew Garfield's Spidey, wasn't just a nostalgic trip; it opened up a whole multiverse of possibilities, leaving fans craving more. After all, when we last saw Maguire's Peter, he was roughly 19 years older than in Spider-Man 3, hinting at a whole life lived since his last solo adventure.

During his heart-to-heart with Tom Holland's Peter, Maguire's Spidey mentioned that his relationship with Mary Jane Watson (played by Kirsten Dunst in the original films) had been "complicated for a long time, but we made it work." This little detail ignited fan theories about a grown-up Peter, possibly even a husband and father. And now, a prominent Hollywood writer is looking to turn that theory into a full-blown film!

A Father's Great Responsibility: Mattson Tomlin's Bold Vision for Spider-Man 4

Enter Mattson Tomlin, a name you might recognize as the co-writer behind Matt Reeves' critically acclaimed The Batman and the upcoming The Batman: Part II. Tomlin is a self-professed comic book fan, and he's got a dream project: a Spider-Man 4 that brings Tobey Maguire back to explore Peter Parker's life as a family man. This isn't just a fleeting thought; Tomlin has publicly championed this idea, stating it's where his interest truly lies.

His pitch is simple yet incredibly compelling: an older Peter Parker grappling with the ultimate balancing act – being a superhero, a dedicated husband, and a responsible father. It's a fresh take that moves beyond Peter's classic high school or college struggles, offering a new layer of "great responsibility" for the character. Imagine the emotional depth and unique challenges of trying to save the city while also making sure you're home in time for bedtime stories or a family dinner. Tomlin himself has said:

"Honestly right now my main interest in this respect would be to write a Spider-Man 4 where Tobey’s Spider-Man is juggling being a husband and a father. Spider-Man as a father is where I gravitate towards given the last 8 films."

Why a Family-Man Spider-Man Story Makes Perfect Sense (and has Precedent!)

While the idea of Spider-Man as a father might sound radical for some who grew up with a perpetually young Peter, it's actually a concept that has resonated deeply in other corners of the Marvel universe. Take the recent "Ultimate Spider-Man" comic book series by Jonathan Hickman and Marco Checchetto, for example. In that world, Peter Parker is in his 30s, married to MJ, and a dad to two kids, Richard and May, before he even gets his spider bite! It's a compelling narrative that proves audiences are ready for an older, more mature Spider-Man.

Then there's the beloved Peter B. Parker from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, who, in Across the Spider-Verse, has not only reconciled with MJ but also has a daughter, Mayday. This animated success story further demonstrates the emotional power of a fatherly Spidey. Even outside of Marvel, shows like The CW's Superman & Lois have successfully explored the struggles of a flagship hero trying to raise a family. This rich history provides a solid foundation for Tomlin's pitch, showing that such a story can be both exciting and relatable.

And what about Mary Jane? Kirsten Dunst, who brought MJ to life in the original trilogy, has even quasi-joked about wanting to star in another big movie soon. She's called Tomlin's idea "interesting" and "cool," suggesting she'd be open to reprising her role alongside Maguire, potentially after more than 18 years!

Navigating the Multiverse of Studio Politics: The Hurdles Ahead

So, the idea is fantastic, the interest is high, and the talent is potentially on board. What's the holdup? As Mattson Tomlin himself put it, making this happen involves "a lot of people and politics and things going right that have nothing to do with me." It's a complex web (pun intended!) of negotiations between Sony Pictures (who owns the film rights to Spider-Man), Marvel Studios (who co-produces the Tom Holland films), Tobey Maguire, and, ideally, original director Sam Raimi.

The original plans for Raimi's Spider-Man 4 with Maguire fell apart over a decade ago due to creative disagreements with Sony, leading to two reboots instead. Reviving that specific iteration would require a perfect alignment of stars, which is no small feat in Hollywood. Tomlin's cautious optimism is understandable, as he tweeted:

"Slow and steady wins the race. There won’t be anything to say about that for a long time (if ever!) because it involves a lot of people and politics and things going right that have nothing to do with me, but I haven’t gotten a ‘no’ yet!" — Mattson Tomlin (October 26, 2025)

That "haven't gotten a 'no' yet" is the tiny spark of hope that keeps the dream alive for fans, suggesting the idea hasn't been outright rejected and might still be on someone's radar.

Meanwhile, in the Current Web: Tom Holland's Next Big Adventure on the Horizon

While we're all hoping for a Tobey Maguire comeback, let's not forget our current friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Tom Holland, who is set to star in his fourth solo film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This movie, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), is slated for release on July 31, 2026. Holland himself has called it a "fresh start" for his character after the universe-altering events of No Way Home, where Peter Parker was left without anyone remembering his existence.

This upcoming film will mark a significant milestone: Tom Holland will be the first actor to lead a fourth solo Spider-Man movie, breaking what some have called a "franchise curse" that prevented both Maguire and Andrew Garfield from getting their fourth installments. The cast for Brand New Day is looking stacked:

• Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man
• Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / Punisher
• Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk
• Zendaya as Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson
• Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds
• Michael Mando as Mac Gargan / Scorpion
• Marvin Jones III as Tombstone
• Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Tramell Tillman in undisclosed roles

So, even if Maguire's return remains a distant dream, there's plenty of Spider-Man action heading our way in the MCU!

The Unanswered Swings: Will This Dream of an Older Spidey Finally Come True?

The question on every fan's mind is: will Mattson Tomlin's vision for a Tobey Maguire Spider-Man 4 ever materialize? His update, while not a confirmation, offers a glimmer of hope that the idea is at least being considered rather than instantly dismissed. However, as Tomlin noted, Hollywood operates at a "sloooow" pace, and the sheer number of stakeholders involved makes any project of this magnitude incredibly challenging.

There are also insider reports and broader MCU plans to consider. Some reliable insiders like Alex Perez have claimed that the time for Maguire and Garfield's Spider-Men in the MCU might conclude after Avengers: Secret Wars. Furthermore, Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige has hinted at a "singular timeline" emerging after the Multiverse Saga wraps up, which could potentially mean less focus on multiversal variants like Maguire's Peter Parker in standalone projects. These are, of course, speculative at this stage and plans can always change within the ever-evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe.

For now, the possibility of seeing Tobey Maguire return as a more mature, family-oriented Spider-Man remains a captivating "what if." It's a testament to the character's enduring appeal and the impact Maguire had on a generation of fans. While we eagerly await Tom Holland's next adventure, we can't help but cross our fingers that Mattson Tomlin's "no" never comes, and that one day, Peter Parker will truly learn that with great power comes great... fatherhood.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tobey Maguire's Potential Spider-Man 4 Is Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man 4 with a family man storyline actually happening? No, it's not confirmed or in active development. It's an idea pitched by co-writer Mattson Tomlin, who states he hasn't received a definitive "no" from studios, but also emphasizes the many "politics" and hurdles involved. What's the main idea behind Mattson Tomlin's pitch for Spider-Man 4? Tomlin's vision is for Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker to be an older man, balancing his superhero responsibilities with being a husband and a father to Mary Jane Watson's children. Has Kirsten Dunst expressed interest in returning as Mary Jane Watson? Yes, Kirsten Dunst has reportedly made comments about wanting to star in another big movie soon and has called Tomlin's idea for a fatherly Spider-Man "interesting" and "cool," suggesting openness to return. When is Tom Holland's next Spider-Man movie, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, expected? Tom Holland's next solo Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, is currently slated for release on July 31, 2026.

Sources

• Information compiled from recent entertainment news articles covering Mattson Tomlin's statements and Spider-Man film developments.
• Mattson Tomlin's tweet from October 26, 2025.