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Maguire: Ready for ‘Spider-Man 4’

The 31-year-old actor had initially said no to another installment.
/ Source: TODAY contributor

It’s almost certain there will be a "Spider-Man 4", and Tobey Maguire is willing to consider continuing his role as the Webslinger.

"I would assume that they’re going to make more Spider-Man movies," Maguire told Meredith Vieira and a screaming crowd of fans on TODAY. "I’ve had such a good time making them. For me, it all depends on if there’s a great story for me, Peter Parker. If [director] Sam Raimi is there, I’d be definitely excited to consider that possibility."

The 31-year-old actor had initially said he would not make Spider-Man 4, but now that the third installment is premiering, Maguire talked about how enjoyable his journey has been and wouldn’t rule out coming back.

"We just have a lot of fun making the movies," he said. "We want to make it more exciting, more fun for the fans, and we’re just trying to satisfy ourselves at the same time. "We’re like a little family unit now. We’ve made three movies together."

The third installment is opening at the Tribeca Film Festival in Queens, home town of Spider-Man’s alter-ego and Maguire’s character, Peter Parker. The United States debut follows grand openings in Japan, Italy, Russia, France, Germany and England.

Advance ticket sales for Spider-Man 3 are running three to four times higher than sales for Spider-Man 2, which opened in 2004. The movie is so hot, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg arrived at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, home of the TODAY show, to proclaim this "Spider-Man Week," and volunteer that the proclamation "may be the most important thing I’m going to do this week."

Like Peter Parker at the beginning of the newest movie, things are going very well for Maguire. In the movie, he told Vieira, "Everything is kind of in place. He intends to propose to M.J. He’s kind of basking in the glory of being Spider-Man."

In real life, Maguire just last November became a father to Ruby Sweetheart Maguire, and is engaged to marry Jennifer Meyer, Ruby’s mother. After growing up in poverty, quitting school at 13 to act, and struggling to break into movies, life is very good.

"I love my daughter. I love my fiancé," he said. "I don’t know if you ever quite figure it out, but it’s going very, very well."

Among those cheering Maguire on was a group of Little Apple Hero kids, a group sponsored by Colombia Pictures and Spider-Man.

Vieira asked Maguire what lessons from his own childhood might help the Little Apple Heroes, who try to make a difference in the lives of those around them.

"It’s important to remain hopeful and optimistic and work hard," he said.

"It’s pretty amazing what the Little Apple heroes are doing. To me, that’s an inspiration."

The movie features three villains, played by James Franco, Thomas Haden Church and Topher Grace. Debuting is Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first love who has a crush on Spider-Man. Howard found out she was pregnant while filming the movie, which involves numerous stunts.

Vieira asked whether she was worried about doing the stunts while pregnant.

"We were all a little terrified, honestly," the actress said. "But then he came out, and he’s perfect."

Dallas Howard, whose dad is director Ron Howard, and her husband Seth Gabel had their first child, Theo, on Feb. 16.

Spider-Man encounters his dark side in the movie, and wears a black costume to emphasize that.

"I think it’s a real interesting story line," Maguire said. "It’s great to see Peter Parker have these conflicts to go through and to struggle with his own inner conflicts as well as with different villains."