Almost 20 years after ‘Spider-Man 4’ quietly collapsed, one of the most incessant rumors about the abandoned sequel has finally been resolved. The director of the Tobey Maguire-led trilogy of web-slingers, Sam Raimi, has now come out and directly responded to the long-standing rumor that Rachel McAdams was supposed to play Black Cat.
His answer is simple: it never happened. The explanation does not simply dispel a casting rumor. It also points out how ‘Spider-Man 4’ has become mythic over the years, with fan speculation slowly replacing reality.
The ‘Spider-Man 4’ Villain Fans Expected Was Never Part Of Raimi’s Plan
The concept of Rachel McAdams as Black Cat in ‘Spider-Man 4’ has been a long-running rumor despite the fact that McAdams herself refuted it when it first emerged. Nevertheless, the internet seldom leaves a good theory behind. When Raimi was promoting his new film, ‘Send Help’, which stars McAdams, he was questioned directly about the supposed talks. His response was definitive. No auditions, no deliberations, no casting process of a female villain.
Related: Marvel Finally Breaks A Long-Standing Rule With ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
“No. Yeah, we never had auditions for a female villain that I’m aware of. Look, I talked to John Malkovich about playing the Vulture, and he was wonderful, and we got along great. But the movie never went,” he told Cinemablend. That version of ‘Spider-Man 4’ never existed, as far as Raimi is concerned. What was real, though, was Raimi’s interest in using the Vulture. He affirmed that he had discussed the role with John Malkovich, who had been reported to have played the role previously.
However, now feels like the closest glimpse fans will ever get of what ‘Spider-Man 4’ might have looked like. In the end, the movie never progressed. Raimi stepped down due to creative issues and increasing delays, and Sony soon turned to a complete reboot with The Amazing Spider-Man. The half-baked ideas solidified into rumors over time, and the same rumors became presumed facts.
Why Raimi Has No Interest In Looking Back
Raimi’s comments also reinforce something he has been clear about recently: he has no desire to resurrect his version of Spider-Man. In another interview, the director said that it would be wrong to go back after passing the character to a new generation of storytellers. That attitude has a kind of closure.
Raimi does not appear to be annoyed by what ‘Spider-Man 4‘ might have been. Rather, he talks as though he had long ago reconciled himself to its termination.
In case you missed it: How ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ Is About To Break Away From The MCU Trilogy
The trilogy exists. It mattered. And now, the torch has moved on. It does not imply that Raimi has abandoned Marvel altogether. His direction in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ showed that his voice can still comfortably fit into the superhero narrative.
Peter Parker doesn’t have to always be at the center anymore. Despite all this, the fans have not given up on Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. His resurrection in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ opened up endless possibilities.
You might like to read: “I Passed The Torch”: Sam Raimi On Why ‘Spider-Man 4’ Isn’t Happening
