Is Tobey Maguire Returning In Spider-Man 4?

Screenwriter Mattson Tomlin teases a major comeback, revealing his compelling pitch for an older Peter Parker juggling parenthood and superhero life; he hasn’t gotten a ‘no’ yet.

October 30, 2025: More than two decades after Tobey Maguire first donned the iconic mask in Sam Raimi’s 2002 film, excitement for his return as Peter Parker is spiking again, thanks to a prominent Hollywood writer.

Mattson Tomlin, co-writer of The Batman (2022) and the upcoming The Batman: Part II, has reignited fan speculation by publicly expressing his desire to pen the script for Spider-Man 4, starring Maguire.

The Vision: Spider-Man as a Family Man

The spark for the renewed buzz began in July 2024 when Tomlin was asked by a fan on X (formerly Twitter) about his interest in the web-slinger. His response was a clear pitch for a more mature narrative:

“Honestly, right now my main interest in this respect would be to write a Spider-Man 4 where Tobey’s Spider-Man is juggling being a husband and a father. Spider-Man as a father is where I gravitate towards, given the last eight films.”

This concept of an emotionally complex, aging Peter Parker—who must balance the “great responsibility” of protecting his family with his city—has resonated deeply with fans of the original trilogy, which ended in 2007 without a proper conclusion.

A Mysterious, Optimistic Update

Following the massive fan reaction, Tomlin was recently pressed for an update on the possibility of Spider-Man 4. While his answer was cautious, it provided a definitive glimmer of hope.

“Slow and steady wins the race… There won’t be anything to say about that for a long time (if ever!) because it involves a lot of people and politics and things going right that have nothing to do with me, but I haven’t gotten a ‘no’ yet!”

His cryptic remark—that the idea is still actively on the table—suggests that discussions are ongoing at a high level, even if they are fraught with the “politics” of studio dynamics between Sony Pictures and Marvel.

The Multiverse Paved the Way

The collective hope for Maguire’s return was initially sparked by his emotional and brief, but fan-favourite, appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). That film’s multiversal crossover, which brought together Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland, confirmed that the original Peter Parker’s story was still alive and kicking within the wider canon.

While the dream of Spider-Man 4 continues, the franchise’s main continuity is moving forward. Tom Holland is set to reprise his role in the MCU’s next chapter, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is scheduled for release on July 31, 2026.

Despite no official confirmation from Sony, Marvel, or Tobey Maguire himself, Mattson Tomlin’s persistent enthusiasm ensures that the possibility of seeing a fatherly Spider-Man swing back onto the big screen remains one of Hollywood’s most exciting ongoing rumors.