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'Spider-Man' Stars: Where Are They Now?

  • "Spider-Man" swung into theaters a decade ago with a whole other set of talent behind the masks and makeup. The extra exposure of the blockbuster franchise, which grossed nearly $2.5 billion in total, afforded that particular web of acting talent a broader range of choices. Since the astronomical success of those films, former Spidey cast members have made some interesting -- if not eccentric -- career choices. Let us examine the professional directions of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and others from Spidey’s past.
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    spider man stars where are they now

    "Spider-Man" swung into theaters a decade ago with a whole other set of talent behind the masks and makeup. The extra exposure of the blockbuster franchise, which grossed nearly $2.5 billion in total, afforded that particular web of acting talent a broader range of choices. Since the astronomical success of those films, former Spidey cast members have made some interesting -- if not eccentric -- career choices. Let us examine the professional directions of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and others from Spidey’s past.
  • <b>Tobey Maguire</b> <br>Though former Spidey Tobey Maguire shunned the spotlight once his costume was retired, he is now on the road to a comeback with his upcoming starring role in Baz Luhrmann's "Great Gatsby," also starring <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/great-gatsby-finally-brings-bffs-dicaprio-maguire-together-165804068.html" data-ylk="slk:his good buddy Leonardo DiCaprio;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">his good buddy Leonardo DiCaprio</a>. Maguire generously chatted with his successor Andrew Garfield,<a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/news/tobey-maguires-spidey-advice-andrew-garfield-165900636.html" data-ylk="slk:and gave him some advice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link"> and gave him some advice</a>: "Just remember to enjoy the ride…It will be fun, I'm sure. And weird… And then get back to work soon!"
    2/6

    The Spider Man Cast Where are they now?

    Tobey Maguire
    Though former Spidey Tobey Maguire shunned the spotlight once his costume was retired, he is now on the road to a comeback with his upcoming starring role in Baz Luhrmann's "Great Gatsby," also starring his good buddy Leonardo DiCaprio. Maguire generously chatted with his successor Andrew Garfield, and gave him some advice: "Just remember to enjoy the ride…It will be fun, I'm sure. And weird… And then get back to work soon!"
  • <b>Kirsten Dunst</b> <br>Kirsten Dunst's career mellowed out significantly after she completed her stint as Mary Jane Watson, opposite Tobey Maguire’s Spidey. But now that she has had the time to take a well-earned breather, her career has gone into overdrive, with a whopping SEVEN films coming out in the next two years. With her starring role as the clinically depressed bride Justine in 2011 Lars Von Trier film "Melancholia," Dunst proved she has impressive range, winning best actress at the Cannes Film Festival -- but was astonishingly passed up come Oscar time. Not to worry, since she now has seven more chances to make up for lost ground.
    3/6

    The Spider Man Cast Where are they now?

    Kirsten Dunst
    Kirsten Dunst's career mellowed out significantly after she completed her stint as Mary Jane Watson, opposite Tobey Maguire’s Spidey. But now that she has had the time to take a well-earned breather, her career has gone into overdrive, with a whopping SEVEN films coming out in the next two years. With her starring role as the clinically depressed bride Justine in 2011 Lars Von Trier film "Melancholia," Dunst proved she has impressive range, winning best actress at the Cannes Film Festival -- but was astonishingly passed up come Oscar time. Not to worry, since she now has seven more chances to make up for lost ground.
  • <b>James Franco</b> <br>The unconventional career choices of former "Spider-Man" actor James Franco, who played Harry Osborn and the new Green Goblin, have been well publicized: Avoiding the track of a typical blockbuster Hollywood actor, Franco hit the books at several colleges and universities, eventually becoming a PhD student at Yale. He has been in films along the way, including "Pineapple Express" and "Milk," but also shocked fans when he starred on daytime soap opera "General Hospital," using the experience as inspiration for a contemporary art exhibit. The one-time Oscar nominee hosted the annual awards fete with Anne Hathaway last year and has ELEVEN films coming out in the next three years.
    4/6

    The Spider Man Cast Where are they now?

    James Franco
    The unconventional career choices of former "Spider-Man" actor James Franco, who played Harry Osborn and the new Green Goblin, have been well publicized: Avoiding the track of a typical blockbuster Hollywood actor, Franco hit the books at several colleges and universities, eventually becoming a PhD student at Yale. He has been in films along the way, including "Pineapple Express" and "Milk," but also shocked fans when he starred on daytime soap opera "General Hospital," using the experience as inspiration for a contemporary art exhibit. The one-time Oscar nominee hosted the annual awards fete with Anne Hathaway last year and has ELEVEN films coming out in the next three years.
  • <b>Joe Manganiello</b> <br>Perhaps you forgot, or perhaps you didn't realize it, but Joe Manganiello was Spider-Man's bully Flash Thompson in the first of Sam Raimi's series a decade ago. Fans know him best as Alcide Herveaux on "True Blood," but Manganiello is also getting a lot of attention for his role as a male stripper in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike." He also had a role in the recent ensemble comedy "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Expect more from this towering fit actor in the future.
    5/6

    The Spider Man Cast Where are they now?

    Joe Manganiello
    Perhaps you forgot, or perhaps you didn't realize it, but Joe Manganiello was Spider-Man's bully Flash Thompson in the first of Sam Raimi's series a decade ago. Fans know him best as Alcide Herveaux on "True Blood," but Manganiello is also getting a lot of attention for his role as a male stripper in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike." He also had a role in the recent ensemble comedy "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Expect more from this towering fit actor in the future.
  • <b>Thomas Haden Church and </b><b>Willem DaFoe <br></b>Willem DaFoe, right, was the wicked Green Goblin. Thomas Haden Church was the evil Sandman. Both former Spidey villains have enjoyed long careers and critical acclaim, however, the two actors made a career detour earlier this year, both taking roles in the now-famous box office disaster "John Carter." DaFoe and Church have projects on the horizon. Something tells me they will bounce back.
    6/6

    The Spider Man Cast Where are they now?

    Thomas Haden Church and Willem DaFoe
    Willem DaFoe, right, was the wicked Green Goblin. Thomas Haden Church was the evil Sandman. Both former Spidey villains have enjoyed long careers and critical acclaim, however, the two actors made a career detour earlier this year, both taking roles in the now-famous box office disaster "John Carter." DaFoe and Church have projects on the horizon. Something tells me they will bounce back.
"Spider-Man" swung into theaters a decade ago with a whole other set of talent behind the masks and makeup. The extra exposure of the blockbuster franchise, which grossed nearly $2.5 billion in total, afforded that particular web of acting talent a broader range of choices. Since the astronomical success of those films, former Spidey cast members have made some interesting -- if not eccentric -- career choices. Let us examine the professional directions of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco and others from Spidey’s past.
<b>Tobey Maguire</b> <br>Though former Spidey Tobey Maguire shunned the spotlight once his costume was retired, he is now on the road to a comeback with his upcoming starring role in Baz Luhrmann's "Great Gatsby," also starring <a href="http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/great-gatsby-finally-brings-bffs-dicaprio-maguire-together-165804068.html" data-ylk="slk:his good buddy Leonardo DiCaprio;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">his good buddy Leonardo DiCaprio</a>. Maguire generously chatted with his successor Andrew Garfield,<a href="http://tv.yahoo.com/news/tobey-maguires-spidey-advice-andrew-garfield-165900636.html" data-ylk="slk:and gave him some advice;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link"> and gave him some advice</a>: "Just remember to enjoy the ride…It will be fun, I'm sure. And weird… And then get back to work soon!"
<b>Kirsten Dunst</b> <br>Kirsten Dunst's career mellowed out significantly after she completed her stint as Mary Jane Watson, opposite Tobey Maguire’s Spidey. But now that she has had the time to take a well-earned breather, her career has gone into overdrive, with a whopping SEVEN films coming out in the next two years. With her starring role as the clinically depressed bride Justine in 2011 Lars Von Trier film "Melancholia," Dunst proved she has impressive range, winning best actress at the Cannes Film Festival -- but was astonishingly passed up come Oscar time. Not to worry, since she now has seven more chances to make up for lost ground.
<b>James Franco</b> <br>The unconventional career choices of former "Spider-Man" actor James Franco, who played Harry Osborn and the new Green Goblin, have been well publicized: Avoiding the track of a typical blockbuster Hollywood actor, Franco hit the books at several colleges and universities, eventually becoming a PhD student at Yale. He has been in films along the way, including "Pineapple Express" and "Milk," but also shocked fans when he starred on daytime soap opera "General Hospital," using the experience as inspiration for a contemporary art exhibit. The one-time Oscar nominee hosted the annual awards fete with Anne Hathaway last year and has ELEVEN films coming out in the next three years.
<b>Joe Manganiello</b> <br>Perhaps you forgot, or perhaps you didn't realize it, but Joe Manganiello was Spider-Man's bully Flash Thompson in the first of Sam Raimi's series a decade ago. Fans know him best as Alcide Herveaux on "True Blood," but Manganiello is also getting a lot of attention for his role as a male stripper in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike." He also had a role in the recent ensemble comedy "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Expect more from this towering fit actor in the future.
<b>Thomas Haden Church and </b><b>Willem DaFoe <br></b>Willem DaFoe, right, was the wicked Green Goblin. Thomas Haden Church was the evil Sandman. Both former Spidey villains have enjoyed long careers and critical acclaim, however, the two actors made a career detour earlier this year, both taking roles in the now-famous box office disaster "John Carter." DaFoe and Church have projects on the horizon. Something tells me they will bounce back.