SPIDER-MAN 3: An Interview with Tobey Maguire, continued
By Chris Tongue

Zack Snyder.

Maguire: Oh, okay, the director who did '300.' I mean, I don't think that I'll be playing another iconic superhero from a comic book. I think that would be kind of odd and I'm guessing that it might be kind of hard for audiences to accept me in that way, but sure. I mean, what was that thing with Viggo Mortensen? That was from a graphic novel, wasn't it? 'The History Violence.' Yeah, sure. So there are a lot of things that take on a different tone. Like I said though, I wouldn't go be in another film where I was one of these iconic superheroes. I think that would be weird. I don't think that it would work.

There is an entire sequence in this film where you're Spider-Man as Peter Parker in the fight with Harry in the beginning. Was that a lot more complicated to do than the costume version?

Maguire: You know, it's just that they're all kind of similar. I am definitely doing a lot more of that than some of the other stuff, but they are really long and involved processes. I would guess that it's similar, but a little more work for me basically.

Where did your input into this film begin? Did you get to put some of your ideas and talk with Sam about maybe the comedy or the darker side to the character early on at all?

Maguire: Well, Sam Raimi and Ivan Raimi, I think that they came up with the basic idea for the movie and it was kicked around for a while before I got involved with it, but I was involved fairly early on in terms of the screenplay. Sam was very open to me contributing all of my ideas, both from a story standpoint, tonally, content of scenes, everything. He was very open and would listen and I think would use stuff when it was good and dismiss it when it wasn't.

I'm sure with how long these movies have been around and how successful they've been that you've had some strange experiences with fans. Can you share any of them?

Maguire: (Laughs) Yeah. I guess I've had some strange experiences. I can't really think of anything. I just try to block them out after they happen. So I don't remember them. I did have an interview the other day where a guy was wearing Spider-Man tights which I thought was a bit odd.

Was that Tokyo?

Maguire: Wait, was he in Tokyo or was he here? I don't remember (Laughs).

Did you say something about them or just ignore them?

Maguire: It was part of his bit. He had a whole bit with them. He was proud of his Spidey pants.

Can you go anywhere without being recognized?

Maguire: Can I go anywhere without being recognized? Sure.

If you go out to eat or go to a mall do people always say, 'Spidey's here!' or something?

Maguire: If I went to a mall I would definitely be recognized. If I went to an empty restaurant and sat in a certain way I might not be recognized. I mean, it's just kind of what you would probably imagine.

Have you ever been to a party in your suit?

Maguire: No. I actually don't have a suit. I've had many offers to show up for kids parties.

That's a whole different kind of fan too, children, who really sort of believe that you are Peter Parker. How do you respond to kids who see you and think that you're Spider-Man for real?

Maguire: Well, first of all, I love kids and it's a lot of fun interacting with kids, but it's a little confusing sometimes because I want to take the lead from parents. Sometimes parents will want to explain that I'm an actor and sort of the reality of the situation and other parents like to keep the illusion alive. So, that's always a sort of trickier spot and especially the younger they are. I did have a thing where at the time I thought the right thing to do was to explain. The kid asked me and I was honest about it. The kid said, 'How do you do that?' I said, 'Well, we take the building, the vertical building and turn it on it's back and I'm crawling across it.' And the kid was just really bummed out. I was just like shattering his whole thing and then I had to work to get back in there, but we ended up hugging and he was telling me that he was going to miss me and it ended up being really sweet. It ended up being a really sweet thing, but for a while I felt really bad about it.

Of the three films do you have a favorite? Was the first one your favorite, or the second, or maybe this one?

Maguire: Right now I feel like this one is my favorite. I'm excited about it. It's fresh. I feel like there are so many great things. It's funnier. It explores new territory. It's probably the most distinctly different of the three films. I thought that two was a really, really good movie. The story came together very well and in the first one I loved the kind of excitement of it and the origin story. Right now though, this is probably my favorite, but that might change.

Is it hard to stay present in all the interviews that you're doing for the movie and to always know where you are and who you're talking to?

Maguire: Well, I'm very present. So I'm present when I'm in a room, but it's just hard for me to remember how it all worked out.

Or which continent you're on?

Maguire: Exactly. It is hard saying considering that if I did a hundred interviews in Tokyo and I'm going to do a hundred to a hundred and fifty here, it's hard to remember exactly who I talked to and in what place because it's not like – Tokyo is a three day stop where I'm pounding away.

With the global opening, has that lessened your sort of duty in terms of doing press?

Maguire: Well, I've been promoting the film since, not as concentrated with as much energy into it as this, but since last year, late last year sometime. I mean, it's constant promotion.

When do you get to take a break from the press? Do you go through May with it?

Maguire: Well, probably when the film is released the big sweep will be done and there will probably be some follow up stuff for a week or two afterwards and then they'll give me a ring a month or two before the DVD's going to come out.

I don't think I've ever heard you answer this and it might be a stupid question, but how do you feel about spiders?

Maguire: I'm fine with spiders. I respect their place in the world and I don't kill spiders if there is a spider in my house. A lot of times I would just let spiders go. I saw a huge spider in my house last night and I just left it there, but now again, Jen, my fiancé is telling me that I have to get them outside because of the baby. So, I've got to escort the spiders outside now.

SPIDER-MAN 3 opens on May 4, 2007

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