It seems the dream of seeing Tobey Maguire return as Spider-Man isn’t over yet. Mattson Tomlin, the talented writer behind The Batman and its upcoming sequel, has once again offered a hopeful update about Spider-Man 4 — a project that continues to fascinate superhero fans more than a decade after it was cancelled.
A Lost Sequel That Fans Still Crave
After the global success of Spider-Man (2002) and Spider-Man 2 (2004), director Sam Raimi was preparing to expand Peter Parker’s story with Spider-Man 4, originally planned for release in 2011. The film was set to introduce The Vulture and Black Cat as key villains, continuing Maguire’s character arc.
However, due to creative differences and studio decisions, the project was scrapped, leading Sony to reboot the franchise with The Amazing Spider-Man starring Andrew Garfield.
Mattson Tomlin’s Vision for Tobey’s Spider-Man
Mattson Tomlin has expressed a deep interest in writing a continuation of Raimi’s Spider-Man saga. Earlier this year, he posted on social media:
“Honestly, my main interest would be writing 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 eight films.”
This concept has resonated strongly with fans who grew up watching Maguire’s Spider-Man and are eager to see a more mature, emotionally layered Peter Parker.
The Latest Update: “I Haven’t Gotten a No”
In response to a fan’s recent question about progress, Tomlin replied with cautious optimism:
“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.”
While this isn’t official confirmation, it suggests the idea is still being discussed within creative circles. Tomlin’s comments have even caught the attention of major outlets and studio insiders, giving renewed hope to long-time Spider-Man fans.
Could the Multiverse Open the Door?
With the Marvel Cinematic Universe expanding its Multiverse Saga, there is speculation that Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man might appear again in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars. These appearances could easily set the stage for a Raimi-directed sequel or a standalone project inspired by Tomlin’s proposed storyline.
In a 2022 interview, Sam Raimi shared his thoughts on possibly returning:
“I haven’t heard about that yet. Marvel and Sony are doing so well with the current Spider-Man movies. But I loved seeing Tobey again in No Way Home — it was truly powerful.”
The Fans Still Believe
More than 20 years after the original trilogy began, the passion for Spider-Man 4 remains strong. With Mattson Tomlin’s creative energy and fan enthusiasm, the long-awaited sequel could finally find its moment.
