Spider-Man 3 star Tobey Maguire reveals the challenges of taking his character to the dark side Tobey Maguire’s athletic and charismatic Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) and, thanks Spider-Man soars over Manhattan’s to hero-worshipping fans, gets caught skyscrapers, inducing gasps from even up in his own hype – a common media hardened action fans. So it’s a little phenomenon, as any avid Big Brother disconcerting to be confronted by the actor viewer will tell you. himself: quiet, unassuming and dressed There are some jaw-droppingly cocky in sensible clothes – a most unlikely moments with Parker sauntering down superhero. Maguire is quick to defend the street, wearing smoky black eyeliner himself, claiming that while Spidey is a and happily referring to himself as an ‘icon’. magnetic and enigmatic figure, his nerdy And for a moment you think he may have alter ego Peter Parker’s just your Average Joe. ‘I think that’s why I got the part in the PETER THINKS HE’S SUPER first place – I’m just an ordinary guy too.’ It’s a modest claim from a man who COOL AND SUAVE, BUT earned a reported $30 million for his role in this blockbuster, but Maguire insists REALLY HE’S A CORNBALL that his status as one of Tinsel Town’s leading men is just a happy accident. He blown it. Thankfully, this ego trip is was planning to become a chef until a $100 handled deftly by Maguire with tongue- bribe from his mum to try drama instead of in-cheek style and, instead of loathing cooking at school changed his life forever. his new found self-importance, we laugh along with it. ‘Peter thinks he’s super Sinister side cool and suave, but really he’s a cornball,’ The latest instalment takes the idea of says Maguire. ‘And the audience still has Peter Parker’s split personality and runs to care for him when he’s going wrong.’ with it. Veering between vulnerability and Maguire himself is becoming something arrogance, he breaks up with his beloved of an icon, so has he ever been in danger > 16 | OCTOBER 2007 BLOCKBUSTER.CO.UK MOVIES SPIDER-MAN 3 Main: Tobey debuts his slinky black number From left to right: The alien symbiont latches onto Spider-Man; Tobey with co-star Kirsten Dunst; Spidey in action www.blockbuster.co.uk OCTOBER 2007 | 17 18 | OCTOBER 2007 www.blockbuster.co.uk THIS IS A CRAZY SPIDER-MAN 3 12 WAY TO Spidey’s back, in black MAKE A Rent/Buy 15 October Also available on Blu-ray LIVING Stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Thomas Haden Church, Topher Grace Director Sam Raimi Perfect for Eight-legged thrill seekers Hoorah – Peter’s got the balance between home life and superhero work sorted. Boo – dark clouds are gathering. Former pal Harry blames Spidey for his dad’s death and wants revenge, so becomes the new Green Goblin. Flint Marko is unmasked as the real killer of Peter’s uncle – and is now the scary Sandman. Rival Eddie Brock is after Peter’s job, and now some alien goo has attached itself to him, changing his personality, and not in a good way. This latest instalment hasn’t got the of letting success go to his head? ‘I think with actors you can react to, rather than impact of the first two, and with three Peter and I react very differently to fame hanging upside down in uncomfortable villains it can get confusing – you might – he’s really loving it and bathing in it, positions,’ he explains. ‘Thankfully, a lot be the one climbing the walls. But while I just enjoyed playing at it.’ of what you see on screen is computer- it’s chock-full of effects and fabulous Of course, Spidey’s not the only lure, generated. But even when I’m flailing acrobatics, has a city-spanning there’s a fantastic supporting cast of around in front of the bluescreen, I think: climactic battle scene and some deft villains. With the terrifying Venom, the “This is a crazy way to make a living”. ’ touches of comedy, all of which make shape-shifting Sandman and a new Green Crazy or not, the Spider-man films have it a captivating chapter in the ongoing Goblin to contend with, our hero’s really up made Maguire one of the most famous tale of our web-slinging hero. against it. But his biggest challenge is his faces in movies and allowed him to pursue own transformation from hero to bad guy. ambitions behind the camera with his own ONLY ON DVD AND BLU-RAY Yes, Spidey goes over to the dark side in production company. ‘A teacher once told • Over eight hours of special features, this one – literally. ‘Making him a baddie me: “You’re driving the car, the car isn’t including location was tricky – we had to make sure we found driving you.” Too many people are victims reports, director’s the right balance,’ Maguire says. ‘But I had of their own lives, and that’s one thing commentary, a lot of fun portraying anger and revenge.’ that I never want to be – a victim.’ As if. out-takes and a look at how ★ Most Rented Tobey Maguire High flyer Sandman The other reason we go to Spider-Man 2004 Spider-Man 2 and Venom movies is for the high-speed action and 2003 Seabiscuit were special effects – and there are plenty of created them here. So did this vegetarian yoga 2003 Wonder Boys fanatic find any of the sequences too 1999 The Cider House Rules demanding? ‘I actually prefer playing 1998 Pleasantville Peter more than Spider-Man, in scenes www.blockbuster.co.uk Mr Sandman, is that a dream in your bag? SPIDEY’s web ★ Spider-Man 3 game Slip on either the wholesome red or sinister black Spidey suit in this offering, out now. Take a rooftop tour of NYC, re-create the movie or explore original missions. And there’s up to ON SET WITH 10 villains to battle – phew! Available on Xbox 360, PS3, Kirsten Dunst Nintendo DS and Wii Spidey’s co-star talks about fame, ★Spider-Man: Friend or Foe game dating, diets, and how a nice Out 12 October, glass of wine helps her relax this game offers you the chance to take on Spider- Man’s most So what happens to in a trailer all day not doing and as you can see I am now infamous enemies Mary Jane in this film? anything. Each moment takes eating chocolate chip cookies. – and turn them She’s going through a hard a day and it’s very technical. into sidekicks. And there’s a two-player option if time – at the beginning she’s What kind of men do you you want to control the bad guys. very happy but then you see Do you enjoy fame? like dating? Available on Nintendo DS, her deteriorate. I really had One of the good things about I love men who challenge me. Wii and Xbox 360 to make an effort not to be a being famous is that I can But I will not date an actor depressed lump, which would meet anyone I want to – just again, I can tell you that – it have been easy because she’s because I’m famous. brings too much attention ★ Spider-Man beaten down the whole time. to your relationship. In the Trilogy on How do you relax press, if you shake a boy’s Blu-ray when you’re not on set? hand, you’ve slept with him. Could you identify with Long touted, I love evenings at home with what she goes through? Spider-Man I’ve had ups and downs in friends. I get food from my Would you make another finally swings my career. I was so depressed favourite restaurant, Sushi Spider-Man movie? onto Blu-ray on after Marie Antoinette came Roku, brought to the house. As long as Sam Raimi is the 15 October with the Spider-Man out I could hardly get out Can you believe it? It’s the director, Tobey is the star and High Definition Trilogy – complete of bed. The negative way it best thing on earth. And I love there’s a good story to tell, I’ll with all three instalments. was received felt like everyone good wine – I have a European be there with bells on. was stomping on my heart. sensibility to alcohol: a nice CHECK THE TRAILER I feel much better now – I glass of Merlot or Pinot Grigio, ★ Most rented Kirsten Dunst had to go through the dark well, maybe two or three. 2006 Marie Antoinette to find the light. 2001 Crazy/Beautiful So, no diets? Were the action scenes fun? I don’t diet! I love pasta and 2000 Bring It On No! Those bluescreen scenes sushi and cheese sandwiches. 1999 The Virgin Suicides See the Spider-Man 3 trailer are the bane of my existence. I’ve just eaten an English on our new online magazine. They mostly mean sitting muffin with cheddar cheese 1994 Interview with the Vampire xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 20 | OCTOBER 2007 www.blockbuster.co.uk SPIDEY’s web www.blockbuster.co.uk OCTOBER 2007 | 21.