Tobey Maguire’s potential return as Spider-Man in a fourth Sam Raimi-directed film is a persistent online rumor, but official plans have not materialized. While the actor’s MCU future remains a possibility, the confirmed Spider-Man 4 currently in production stars Tom Holland and features a new, street-level story.
If you’ve been on superhero Twitter or scoured any movie news site lately, you’ve likely seen the electrifying headlines: “Tobey Maguire Returning for Spider-Man 4.” The rumor mill is spinning at an incredible speed, fueled by nostalgic fans and speculative reports. But is there any truth to the buzz, or is it simply wishful thinking?
Let’s untangle the web of claims, official statements, and confirmed facts to give you a clear picture of what we actually know.
The Source of the Buzz: Unpacking the Recent Rumors
The latest wave of speculation gained significant traction in May 2025, when a new rumor suggested a unique way Maguire’s Spider-Man could re-enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The theory, originating from a podcast report, alleges that actress Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) is playing Mayday Parker in the upcoming MCU film Spider-Man: Brand New Day . In the comics, Mayday “May” Parker is the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. The rumor specifically claims that Sink’s character would be the daughter of Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker from the Sam Raimi universe (Earth-96283) .
If this were true, it would strongly imply that Maguire’s Spider-Man would appear, at the very least, in a supporting or referenced capacity to establish this familial connection. This sparked excitement that Maguire could return to continue his story from 2007’s Spider-Man 3, showing an older, possibly family-man version of the character .
It is crucial to note that this remains an unverified rumor. Sadie Sink’s role has not been officially confirmed by Marvel or Sony, and other rumors have speculated she could be playing other characters, such as Jean Grey or a variant of Spider-Woman .
The Official Word: What Sam Raimi and Marvel Have Said
When it comes to a direct sequel to Maguire’s Spider-Man 3, the official stance is far less speculative. Sam Raimi, the director of the original trilogy, directly addressed the possibility in April 2024.
When asked about the rumors of a Spider-Man 4 with Tobey Maguire, Raimi stated, “Well, I haven’t heard about that yet. I did read that, but I’m not actually working on it yet.” . He went on to praise the recent Spider-Man: No Way Home and expressed his fondness for Maguire, saying, “I’d love to work with Tobey again, in a different role” . This statement clearly indicates that as of recently, there are no active plans for a Raimi-helmed Spider-Man 4.
This aligns with the broader strategy at Marvel Studios, which is currently focused on producing a different Spider-Man 4—the next chapter in Tom Holland’s MCU journey.
The Actual Spider-Man 4: Tom Holland’s “Brand New Day”
While a Maguire-led sequel is not in active development, a live-action Spider-Man 4 is very much real. Here’s what’s confirmed about this project:
- Title: Spider-Man: Brand New Day
- Star: Tom Holland returning as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
- Release Date: July 31, 2026
- Director: Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings)
The film will follow the earth-shattering events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, which saw Peter erase his identity from everyone’s memory. Kevin Feige has hinted that this new movie will show a “proper Spider-Man” dealing more with street-level crime rather than multiversal threats .
The confirmed cast includes returning faces Zendaya (MJ), Jacob Batalon (Ned), and new additions like Jon Bernthal as the Punisher and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk . The film is set to begin a new, grounded chapter for the wall-crawler, which makes a large multiversal cameo from Maguire in this particular film seem less likely.
Confirmed Cast for Spider-Man: Brand New Day
| Actor | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Holland | Peter Parker / Spider-Man | Protagonist |
| Zendaya | Michelle “MJ” Jones-Watson | Returning, but her memory of Peter was erased |
| Jacob Batalon | Ned Leeds | Returning, memory also erased |
| Jon Bernthal | Frank Castle / The Punisher | Jump from Disney+ to big screen |
| Mark Ruffalo | Bruce Banner / Hulk | First MCU appearance since She-Hulk |
| Sadie Sink | Unknown Role | Rumored to be Mayday Parker, among other characters |
The Bigger Picture: Where Does Tobey Maguire Fit In?
Even if a solo Spider-Man 4 isn’t happening and his role in Holland’s film is uncertain, Tobey Maguire’s future in the MCU is not completely off the table.
The most credible path for Maguire’s return is through the upcoming Avengers films. According to some reports, Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man legacies are expected to conclude in Avengers: Secret Wars, currently slated for a 2027 release . This massive multiversal event is seen as the perfect narrative setting to bring back iconic characters from across the Marvel multiverse for one final battle .
The Bottom Line
So, is Tobey Maguire suiting up for Spider-Man 4? The answer is a layered one.
For a direct sequel to his own trilogy, the answer is no, not anytime soon. Director Sam Raimi is not working on it, and Marvel’s current slate is occupied with Tom Holland’s story.
As for a cameo in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it remains a possibility, but is currently unconfirmed. The “Mayday Parker” rumor is intriguing but lacks official backing. Given the street-level tone the filmmakers are suggesting, a multiversal event cameo might feel out of place.
The most likely scenario for seeing Maguire’s Spider-Man again is in the culminating chapter of the Multiverse Saga, Avengers: Secret Wars. For now, fans should temper their immediate expectations for Spider-Man 4 but keep hope alive for the future. The multiverse has made anything possible, but it’s always best to wait for an official confirmation from Marvel before getting too excited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Sam Raimi directing a new Spider-Man movie with Tobey Maguire?
No. As of April 2024, Sam Raimi confirmed he has heard the rumors but is “not actually working on it yet” .
What is the “Mayday Parker” rumor?
A widespread but unverified rumor suggests Sadie Sink is playing Mayday Parker, the daughter of Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. This would imply Maguire’s return, but the role has not been officially confirmed .
When is the next Spider-Man movie coming out?
The next live-action Spider-Man film, Spider-Man: Brand New Day starring Tom Holland, is scheduled to swing into theaters on July 31, 2026 .
Will Andrew Garfield also return as Spider-Man?
Like Maguire, there are no confirmed plans for Andrew Garfield to star in his own The Amazing Spider-Man 3. However, reports suggest he is also expected to appear alongside Maguire in Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027 .
What is Spider-Man: Brand New Day about?
While specific plot details are under wraps, the film will follow Peter Parker navigating his new life after everyone forgot who he was in No Way Home. Marvel’s Kevin Feige has hinted it will be a more street-level story, focusing on Spider-Man protecting his city .
