Tobey Maguire became one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces after starring as Peter Parker in the 2002 blockbuster, Spider-Man. The film was followed by two successful sequels in 2004 and 2007, and a string of acclaimed performances in dramas such as The Great Gatsby and Brothers.
However, just ten years after hanging up his iconic red and blue suit, Tobey stepped away from the screen, only to return after four years in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Since then, he’s made just two additional on-screen appearances, most recently in the 2023 Apple TV series, Extrapolations.
Although he has never publicly addressed the reasons for his acting hiatus, Tobey remained busy behind the camera while periodically returning to the screen for select projects.
Keep reading to find out more about Tobey’s break from acting.
Tobey’s acting hiatus
Tobey’s last major on-screen role was in the 2014 biographical thriller Pawn Sacrifice, in which he played chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer. Following this, he lent his voice to the animated film The Boss Baby in 2017 before stepping away from the screen for four years.
© Getty ImagesStepping behind the camera
During his time away from acting, Tobey focused on producing through Material Pictures, the company he founded in 2012.
Over the last 14 years, the production house has brought several films to life, including the 2012 jukebox musical Rock of Ages and the 2015 post-apocalyptic thriller Z for Zachariah.
Tobey’s company was also behind three films released in 2019: Brittany Runs a Marathon, Get Duked!, and The Best of Enemies. In 2022, he produced the comedy-drama Babylon, in which he also starred.
© Alamy Stock PhotoChanges in Tobey’s personal life
Tobey’s personal life also underwent some significant shifts during this period. In 2020, his wife, jewellery designer Jennifer Meyer, filed for divorce following four years of separation.
© Getty ImagesOpening up about the split during an appearance on The Inside Edit podcast with host Maeve Reilly last year, Jennifer explained that the pair – who share a daughter Ruby, 19, and Otis, 17 – had to “overcome some big hurdles”.
“Our daughter was 10 or something. Those are some intense times that you need to stay connected. And then we had a son who was 7,” she said. “It’s like you’re raising kids at an intense time. But he is wonderful and I got lucky for that. And my life— it was not easy every day, and I’m sure he would say the same thing, 100 percent, and we definitely had to overcome some big hurdles.”
© WireImageShe went on to describe Tobey as her “best friend,” who “would do anything for me” and who she would “do anything for”.
Then in 2018, Tobey began dating model Tatiana Dieteman, though the pair reportedly split after three years.
© Getty Images for Jennifer MeyerSpider-Man 4 cancelled
Tobey starred in three Spider-Man movies directed by Sam Raimi. The first premiered in 2002 and was followed by sequels in 2004 and 2007.
Although Tobey had always intended to reprise his role for a fourth instalment, the project never made it to the big screen due to creative differences between director Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures.
© Alamy Stock PhotoIn 2012, the franchise was rebooted with Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man, featuring Andrew Garfield in the lead role, followed by a sequel in 2014.
Two years later, Marvel Studios joined the franchise, casting Tom Holland in the role, which he debuted in Captain America: Civil War. Tom’s solo films include 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, 2019’s Spider-Man: Far from Home, 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, and 2026’s Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Tobey’s return to acting
In 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Tobey officially returned to acting, reprising his career-defining role for the first time in 15 years. The film served as a crossover between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the previous Spider-Man movies, uniting Tobey with current star Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield.
© FilmMagicTobey was keen to return to the character, having lost out on the chance to complete a fourth film.
“When they called initially, I was like finally!” Tobey said of his return in the 2023 book, Spider-Man No Way Home: The Official Movie Special. “I got the call and was immediately open about coming to do this. Not without nerves – you know, ‘What will this look like and what will the experience be?’ But to get to show up with beautiful, talented, creative people and play together? It’s just like, ‘Yes!’ It’s fun and exciting.'”
© WireImage“I love these films and I love all of the different series,” he continued. “If these guys called me and said, ‘Would you show up tonight to hang out and goof around?’ or ‘Would you show up to do this movie or read a scene or do a Spider-Man thing?’ it would be a ‘yes!’ Because why wouldn’t I want to do that?”
The following year, Tobey cemented his return to the big screen in the comedy-drama film Babylon, starring opposite Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt.
© Apple TVThis was followed by an appearance in the Apple TV+ anthology series, Extrapolations, which also starred Meryl Streep, Matthew Rhys and Gemma Chan.
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