15 Mind-Blowing Facts About Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy

14. Sony Didn't Want Tobey Maguire As Spider-Man

Before starring in Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire was a relative unknown. His role in Cider House Rules had certainly helped to increase his profile, but he was far from a box office draw. Perhaps that's why Sony had such a completely different idea to director Sam Raimi when it came to who they wanted to play Peter Parker in his big screen debut. Leonardo DiCaprio was on the top of their wishlist, though Wes Bentley, Chris Klein, and Heath Ledger were all also considered. Even James Franco - who obviously went on to play Harry Osborn in the trilogy - tested for the role of Peter Parker, but Sam Raimi persisted in his desire to have Maguire play the iconic Marvel superhero. The studio eventually agreed with him after seeing the actor's impressive screen test. It wasn't just the role of Spider-Man which could have ended up being cast very differently though. Before Willem Defoe was chosen as Norman Osborn, the role was offered to Nicholas Cage, John Malkovich, and John Travolta. They all turned it down, and looking at these shortlists, it's fair to say that things ultimately panned out for the best.