Maguire Caught In Spider-Man’s Web

Tobey Maguire is set to play Peter Parker and his webslinging alterego in Sam Raimi's forthcoming bigscreen outing for the comicbook hero Spider-Man. Raimi had wanted Maguire for the role all along, but studio bosses were reluctant as he's hardly obvious action hero material. But apparently the Pleasantville and Cider House Rules star has been working out, and when he did a screen test his new body convinced them that he could play the tough guy in tights as well as nerdy photographer Peter Parker. He beat out the likes of Heath Ledger, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Wes Bentley for the role. Maguire will get between $3 million and $4 million, and there will be an option for two sequels. Filming is due to begin in November, with the release expected in Autumn 2001. No word yet as to plot or co-stars.