The Spider-Man film franchise has remained a steady part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Tom Holland took on the lead role. Still, a large group of fans continue to remember the canceled Spider-Man 4 by Sam Raimi, which would have brought Tobey Maguire back to face villains like Vulture and Black Cat. Though this project was shelved years ago, new discussions have emerged around a possible script for a fourth Spider-Man film starring Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, marking a potential return to the Raimi-era story.
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! https://t.co/hdYju4h0p4
— mattson tomlin (@mattsontomlin) October 26, 2025
Mattson Tomlin, who co-wrote The Batman – Part II, recently responded on X to a fan asking about his interest in writing a new Spider-Man 4 script. Tomlin said he is keen to develop the idea but emphasized that no official approval has been given yet by the studios or the original talent. He called the process “slow and steady” and pointed out that many people and factors are involved, but at least he has not received a definitive rejection.
“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!” Tomlin said.
Tomlin has shared that his vision centers on an older Peter Parker, played again by Maguire, dealing with the struggles of balancing life as a vigilante with being a husband and father. While Spider-Man: No Way Home left the question of whether Peter and Mary Jane have children unanswered, it is clear they remain together, played by Maguire and Dunst respectively. Tomlin’s idea takes that as a starting point but would require the blessing of Sam Raimi and other key players if it is to move forward. In July, Tomlin described his concept this way:
“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.”
Raimi’s original plans for a fourth installment fell apart after disagreements with Sony more than a decade ago. Since then, two separate Spider-Man portrayals followed, with Andrew Garfield and then Tom Holland leading their own series. Neither Garfield nor Maguire got to continue past three films in their runs, but Holland will soon be the first actor in the franchise to lead a fourth solo Spider-Man movie.
Set to be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, known for the underperforming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is hoped to chart a new path for Holland’s Peter Parker following the universe-altering events of the previous film. The cast will include Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner, Zendaya as Michelle “MJ” Jones-Watson, Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds, Michael Mando as Mac Gargan, and Marvin Jones III as Tombstone. Additional roles will be filled by Sadie Sink, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Tramell Tillman, though details about their characters have not been released.
The prospect of a revived Raimi-era Spider-Man 4 has been a topic of hope for many fans who long for the original trilogy’s return. Whether Mattson Tomlin’s script will secure the necessary backing remains unclear, but the idea signals that the legacy of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man is not yet forgotten in Hollywood.
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