Following two incredibly successful movies, Spider-Man 3 promised to cap off the Marvel trilogy in a spectacular fashion when it released in theaters in 2007. Adding three new Spider-Man villains to the franchise, the Sam Raimi film was infamously plagued by studio interference. The director’s original vision for the movies, featuring Spider-Man against the Sandman, was complicated by the producers insisting that the character of Venom be added to the story. Ultimately, the film wound up less warmly received than the previous series entries, although it did go on to gross $896 million at the global box office.

Time has been kind to the trilogy, however, and Spider-Man 3 is getting more love 17 years later. While certainly flawed, there is much to enjoy in the Sam Raimi film, which combines the director’s odd camp sensibilities with body horror elements beneath a candy-coated superhero shell. This is thanks to the sincerity of the work many of the performers did in the movie, giving it a perfect, deserving place inside one of the best superhero trilogies of all time. With so many excellent performers in the film, it is worth investigating where each of them are now.

10. Bruce Campbell Played The Maître d’

Campbell Famously Cameod In Each Raimi Spider-Man Film

B-movie icon Bruce Campbell makes a memorable appearance in the film as a maître d’. The French waiter talks with Peter as he works out a plan to propose to Mary Jane that is not successful. This follows appearances in the trilogy as a ring announcer and an usher. Supposedly, Bruce Campbell’s cameos were supposed to lead to an appearance of the performer as the villain Mysterio, but this was never realized.

Most recently, Campbell again had a cameo in a Sam Raimi film, selling pizza balls in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The actor grew to fame as the star of Evil Dead, and Campbell is still involved with the franchise, having executive produced and cameoed in 2023’s Evil Dead Rise following a starring role in the series Ash vs. Evil Dead. The actor will next appear in a film called Highly Functional.

9. James Cromwell Played George Stacy

The Academy Award Nominee Has Also Been Nominated For Several Emmys

When appearing as the police captain, who also happens to be Gwen Stacy’s father, James Cromwell was best known for playing Farmer Hoggett in Babe. Influenced by the film, for which the actor was nominated for an Academy Award, Cromwell adopted a vegan lifestyle and frequently spoke out against animal cruelty. At 84, the actor continues to work in many films and television and has received several Emmy nominations in recent years, winning one for American Horror Story: Asylum.

Cromwell has continued to work, appearing alongside Bryce Dallas Howard in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and most recently in the Apple TV+ series Sugar. He has been a regular fixture on stage and screen. Cromwell will next be appearing in the Netflix movie Rebel Ridge.

8. James Franco Played Harry Osborn/New Goblin

Franco Played A Prominent Role Throughout The Trilogy

James Franco was nearly cast as Spider-Man in the first film, and the production instead took him on as the slowly developing villain that Harry Osborn would become. This is ultimately realized in Spider-Man 3, with mixed results. Plans for Spider-Man 3 changed in development, but the unveiling of Harry Osborn as a villain who later redeems himself seems to have been in the works for some time.

Franco worked steadily for many years in the industry, starring in films as diverse as Pineapple Express and 127 Hours and sparking controversy in The Interview. The actor was also featured in the critically acclaimed Rise of the Planet of the Apes and directed films including The Disaster Artist. More recently, Franco was accused of sexual misconduct, leading to a lawsuit that ran from 2019 to 2021 and ended in a settlement deal. He has not appeared in a film since 2019, although he has many projects in various states of development.

7. Rosemary Harris Played Aunt May

The English Actress Has Continued To Work Sparingly Through The Years

Rosemary Harris did an incredible job across the trilogy’s length in playing Peter Parker’s doting aunt. Embodying a sweet and slightly foolish sensibility, she plays a major role in Spider-Man 3 in encouraging her nephew’s planned wedding proposal. Aunt May has been played in many different ways since, especially with Marisa Tomei in the recent MCU trilogy. Still, Harris is perhaps the most comic-accurate live-action iteration of the character.

At 96 years old, Harris has built an enormous body of work through the years and even continues to act in recent years in a smaller capacity. She appeared in a Broadway production of My Fair Lady from 2018 to 2019 and most recently appeared in a guest role in the television series Search Party.

6. J.K. Simmons Played J. Jonah Jameson

Simmons Has Since Reprised The Role In The MCU

J.K. Simmons is incredible in the Sam Raimi trilogy of films, with his character-defining performance continuing into Spider-Man 3. Peter Parker’s obnoxious and rude boss is also depicted as a surprisingly human character who protects the security of his employees, adding layers to Jameson that adaptations are often missing. Simmons plays the role with such great wit and style that audiences are not ready to see another performer in the role. As such, Simmons reprized the role recently in the MCU, reimagining the character in a modern context.

Simmons has continued to work in movies and television, and has since won an Academy Award for his performance in Whiplash. The actor is dynamically talented, with an extensive resume of work in live-action and animation. He has lent his voice to series like Invincible and Bojack Horseman, and appeared in the DCEU as Commissioner Gordon. He has many upcoming projects in the pipeline, including Red One and The Accountant 2.

5. Bryce Dallas Howard Played Gwen Stacy

Howard Has Since Starred In The Jurassic World Trilogy

Bryce Dallas Howard played the first live-action iteration of Gwen Stacy, and the character has grown so much in detail and complexity ever since. Gwen Stacy has since become one of the many lead characters in the Spider-Verse films. In Spider-Man 3, however, the character is relegated to a supporting role. Spider-Man saves Gwen from an attack, and she spurns Eddie Brock for him. This leads to Brock’s hatred of Peter Parker.

This Gwen Stacy does not reach the heights later films would with the character. However, Howard is a terrific performer, and adds extra weight and meaning to the overall story. The actor has continued to work since, playing a lead role in the Jurassic World trilogy and Argylle. She has also worked steadily as a director on television, especially in Star Wars, helming episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett. In terms of future releases, she has also directed for the upcoming Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

4. Thomas Haden Church Played Flint Marko/The Sandman

Church Appeared In Part In Spider-Man: No Way Home

Thomas Haden Church has been an excellent performer in Hollywood for years, but the actor rose to prominence after receiving an Academy Award nomination for his role in Sideways. Church was cast as the complex villain The Sandman in Spider-Man 3, and effectively played a troubled father forced into a life of crime. Following this turn, the actor has gone on to appear generally in supporting roles in many films and series, including Easy A and Twisted Metal.

Church reprized the role of Sandman in part for Spider-Man: No Way Home. The character was included in archival footage and new animation, while Church lent his voice to new dialogue. He will next appear in the Horizon: An American Saga sequels and in the ensemble of the next Benoit Blanc Knives Out mystery, Wake Up Dead Man.

3. Topher Grace Played Eddie Brock/Venom

Grace Continues To Work In Movies And TV

Topher Grace was an unusual choice to play the iconic villain, but the selection makes more sense when contrasted with Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. While Grace is not the tough, bullish presence that many expect from Eddie Brock, this is because he was cast to be a counterpoint to Tobey Maguire. Exploring the contrast between the hero and villain and how they are affected by the symbiote was made clear by having an Eddie Brock that was quite similar in feel and stature to Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker.

Topher Grace left That ’70s Show in 2006 to pursue a career in movies, beginning with this villainous appearance. Following mixed reception to his performance as Venom, the actor turned to more character roles. He has appeared in excellent, critically acclaimed films, including BlacKkKlansman, and continues to work in film and television. He appeared on the ’70s Show reboot, That ’90s Show, in 2023, and famously enjoys making fan edits of feature films, having made an 85-minute edit of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

2. Kirsten Dunst Played Mary Jane Watson

Dunst Has Worked Steadily In Hollywood Since Childhood

Kirsten Dunst rose to fame as a child star, especially for her role in Interview with the Vampire, which led to a Golden Globe nomination. She went on to star as the love interest to Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker across the entire trilogy, and was perhaps done a disservice by the Spider-Man 3 script, where her character’s development throughout the trilogy is not accurately addressed. Still, the actor was an excellent asset to the film. During the run of the trilogy, she padded her resume with appearances in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Marie Antoinette.

Dunst has continued to work in movies and television since, most recently starring in the critically acclaimed Civil War. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her work in the Netflix film The Power of the Dog and has appeared in series including Black Mirror and Drunk History. Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, there is some hope the performer will reprise her role in a future Spider-Man sequel.

1. Tobey Maguire Played Peter Parker/Spider-Man

The Actor Has Since Returned To The Role

Tobey Maguire became a superstar following his lead role in the Spider-Man films. The actor appeared in the best and worst Spider-Man scenes alike, showing incredible heroism and participating in controversial dance sequences. Still, it is difficult now to imagine anyone else as this iteration of Peter Parker, and the actor’s films have only grown increasingly appreciated with time.

While the actor found success in films like Brothers, The Great Gatsby, and Seabiscuit, he has remained best known for his turn as Spider-Man. This led to a revival of the character in an MCU appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Following this, the actor has only appeared in Babylon. While rumors have swirled of Maguire reprising the Peter Parker role again in the MCU, no details have been confirmed. Fortunately, it seems the legacy of Spider-Man 3 may only continue to grow in the coming years, especially given the continued success of many of the movie’s actors.