Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manushered in a new era of superhero cinema, and many cast members of theMarvel Universefilm have gone on to lead notable careers. With anMCU timelinethat has gone on to combine all of the various universes in films likeSpider-Man: No Way Home,there is reason to believe that additional actors and characters from this iteration of the web-slinger’s universe may still play a part in Marvel’s future.This makes it important to review the cast ofSpider-Man,with an eye to where they are now.
The Spider-Verse has only grown larger in the decades since, with live-action and animated films alike cross-pollinating with one another. Audiences have continued to ask where futureTobey MaguireSpider-Mansequelsare, andthe more time that passes, the more likely it seems that such an event could actually occur.WithSony’s villain-centric Spider-Man universe seeming to be ended, the future is beginning to come into focus. Many excellent stars appeared in the hit 2002 film, and have continued to be notable ever since.
Spider-Man’s Supporting Roles & Cameos
The “Less Notable” Figures Who Appeared In The Film
Bill Nunn plays a small role in the film as Robbie Robertson, a major character at The Daily Bugle. Following an extensive career that saw the actor appearing in films fromDo the Right ThingtoIdlewild, Nunn’s last appearance was in the seriesSirensin 2015. The American actor sadly passed away from leukemia in 2016, but has an extensive body of excellent work in the industry.
Ted Raimi, brother of the director, has had an excellent career as a character actor.He plays a small role inSpider-Man, but has gone on to appear in all kinds of movies and television series throughout the years. He has also done some writing and has worked in video games recently, doing voice and motion capture for the narrative horror gameThe Quarry.
Octavia Spencer is perhaps the most notable alumni of theSpider-Mancast, having gone on to an incredible and acclaimed career in film. Spencer only played a small role in the film, registering Spider-Man for his first fight, but has since gone on to become a household name in films likeHidden FiguresandThe Help. She has also published her own children’s book series entitledRandi Rhodes, Ninja Detective, and will next lend her voice toThe Smurfs Movie.
Bruce Campbell
Played The Ring Announcer
In a notable albeit small appearance,B-movie legend Bruce Campbell gives Spider-Man his name in the film before going on to appear in different roles throughout the trilogy.The actor has had a long relationship with director Sam Raimi, and was planned to playMysterio inSpider-Man 4.That did not happen, but Campbell has since gone on to continue working, reprising the titular role inAsh vs Evil Dead, which ran for three seasons.
More recently the actor has returned to Marvel cameos, withan appearance in Sam Raimi’sDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessas Pizza Poppa.In 2024 he starred in the television seriesHysteria, and has continued to lend his voice to various media, including video games, where the character of Ash has appeared multiple times. Campbell continues to be acclaimed for his historic roles.
Elizabeth Banks
Played Betty Brandt
Elizabeth Banks has risen to fame in the years since she appeared as Betty Brandt,one of Peter’s earliest comic book love interests, in Raimi’sSpider-Manfilms. Since then, Banks has appeared in all kinds of films, playing villainous roles in 2017’sPower Rangersas well as comedy inThe Lego Movieand its sequel. She has worked in horror inBrightburnhas had recurring roles on television shows includingModern Familyand theWet Hot American SummerNetflix series.
Most recently, however, Banks has worked in directing. She found moderate success with theCharlie’s Angelsreboot andPitch Perfect 2before directingCocaine Bear,one of the most talked about movies of 2023.Banks has a number of projects lined up for the future, and will next produce and star in the psychological thrillerDreamquilalongside John C. Reilly.
Joe Manganiello
Played Flash Thompson
Joe Manganiello appeared briefly as Peter’s bully, Flash Thompson,but the actor has gone on to have a long and successful career. While his entrance into the DCEU as Deathstroke was not seen in full, with the intended villain of Ben Affleck’s abandoned iteration ofThe Batmanonly making a brief cameo appearance inJustice League,Mangianello has continued to work. His breakout was in the HBO seriesTrue Blood.
Since then, Manganiello has appeared in all kinds of projects.The actor played a memorable role in theMagic Miketrilogy as well as roles in films includingRampage, What to Expect When You’re ExpectingandThe Kill Room.In addition to acting, Manganiello has worked in writing and directing, and is currently developing a documentary on the popular tabletop RPGDungeons & Dragons.
J.K. Simmons
Played J. Jonah Jameson
J.K. Simmons has become one of the most memorable character actors of our time, andmuch of that acclaim surrounded his iconic performance as J. Jonah Jameson.The actor was so perfect for the role that Simmons was brought back asJameson in the MCUin recent films. However, the actor is known for much more than this, and has even crossed superhero universes, lending his voice toInvincibleand appearing as James Gordon inJustice League.
Simmons has won an Academy Award for his work inWhiplashand continues to work in the dramatic space, as well as in more commercial films.Most recently, Simmons played Santa Claus inRed Oneand has lent his voice to video games includingBaldur’s Gate 3andMortal Kombat 1.He will next reprise his role as Ray King inThe Accountant 2alongside Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal.
Cliff Robertson
Played Ben Parker
Cliff Robertson played one of the most important characters to the Spider-Man mythos, becoming remembered in this film for his iconic line:“With great power comes great responsibility.“The actor worked for many decades, beginning with his first credited role in 1955. He appeared throughout Raimi’sSpider-Mantrilogy, and archival footage of the actor was used in the more recentSpider-Versefilms.
Sadly, Robertson has since passed away.The actor succumbed to natural causes in 2011 at the age of 88, with his final filmed role being a cameo in Raimi’sSpider-Man 3.The actor’s work in the superhero sphere, where he first appeared in the 1966Batmanseries, as well as outside of it, has worked to define him as an important part of the motion picture canon.
Rosemary Harris
Played Aunt May Parker
Rosemary Harris was perfect for the comic-accurate andimportant Aunt Maythat was featured in the Raimi films. She played a sweet, doting, grandmotherly type, that has since been subverted in more recent films with younger and more modern actors.Harris was already in her 70s when she took on the role, and is now 97, but continues to work sparingly.
More than in film, Harris has appeared in various acclaimed series, includingThe UndoingandSearch Party.The actor has also worked on Broadway as recently as 2019, where she played Mrs. Higgins in an adaptation ofMy Fair Lady.Harris clearly continues to be an important and celebrated actor, and it appears she will likely continue to work until she no longer can.
James Franco
Played Harry Osborn
James Franco wasalmost cast as Spider-Manhimself, but the actor went on to develop across the trilogy as Harry Osborn.Franco then went on to have an excellent career in Hollywood as a writer, director, and actor.He appeared in all kinds of roles, playing comedy in films likeThe InterviewandPineapple Expressas well as drama, earning an Academy Award nomination for his starring role in127 Hours.
Franco has more recently faced public controversy after accusations of exploitative behavior in 2018. The actor has continued to work since, although his presence in the industry is much smaller than it once was.His next directorial effort is the filmThe Last Home,in which Franco also stars alongside Josh Hutcherson and Zoe Levin
Willem Dafoe
Played Norman Osborn, The Green Goblin
One of the best of theSpider-Man villains, Willem Dafoe was one of the most memorable parts of an incredible film, playing Norman Osborn as somewhat of a mentor as well as a foe to Peter.Dafoe was lauded for his passion and dynamism in the role, which he came back to play once again in 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home.The return felt fitting for the actor, who has spent the decades since exploring a plethora of interesting and artful roles.
Dafoe has gone on to work with a number of auteur directors through the years,appearing in films from Robert Eggers likeThe LighthouseandNosferatu.He has also spent some time with DC, playing a role inAquaman. Dafoe was already an accomplished actor when he joined the cast of Spider-Man, and has since gone on only to prove himself again and again. The future for Dafoe looks as bright as the past, regardless of if he ever comes back to the role of Norman Osborn.
Kirsten Dunst
Played Mary Jane Waston
Kirsten Dunst rose to prominence as a child actor, then grew into films likeBring It OnandThe Virgin Suicidesbefore becoming a global star inSpider-Man.Her turn as Mary Jane Watson was memorable, and she remained in the role throughout the trilogy. Dunst’s chemistry with Maguire was an important part of her franchise inclusion, and her character’s role was central to Peter’s arc.
Since then, Dunst has continued to lead an excellent career in Hollywood, appearing in films likeThe Bling RingandHidden Figures. More recently,she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance inThe Power of the Dog.She then starred in Alex Garland’sCivil Warin 2024, and will next appear alongside Channing Tatum inRoofman, a crime drama directed by Derek Cianfrance.
