“Spiderman: No Way Home” has broken several box offices records since it premiered late last year. Apart from starring Tim Holland, the film also featured the comeback of Tobey Maguire to reprise his role as Spiderman, but from a different universe.
Maguire’s return to the big screen brought feelings of nostalgia for movie lovers. Most had followed him from the start and were even privy to many juicy tidbits that occurred behind the scenes.
On one occasion, the “Great Gatsby” star would have gotten in a brawl when former Co-Star, Joe Manganiello, got offered $100 to punch him in the face.
Read on below.
Joe Manganiello Turn Down A $100 Offer To Punch Tobey Maguire
Joe Manganiello was one of the many actors cast in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man.” The American actor played Flash Thompson in the blockbuster, a high school football star who bullied Peter Parker.
Although he had little screen time, Manganiello almost got into trouble behind the screen if he had taken up an offer to punch Maguire in the face. In an interview with Pete Holmes, the “True Blood” star confided with his host about the almost assault, which would have earned him $100.
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“There was a crew guy who came up to me and said, ‘Listen, I’ll give you $100 if you hit him in the face by accident,'” Manganiello recalled. “And he said me and some of the other guys are in on it. I looked over, and there is an electrician plugging something in, and he just looked up to me and gave me that look.”
Ultimately, Manganiello rejected the offer knowing it could have cost him his career.
Joe Manganiello Tried Out For Peter Parker But Lost To Tobey Maguire
Before being cast in the Thompson role, the Justice League actor first tried out for the lead role as Peter Parker. Eventually, he lost the part to Maguire, who ended up reprising his iteration of the character three times from 2002 to 2007.
Unsurprisingly, Manganiello was not the only actor who auditioned to get the role. A couple of other stars tried their luck but were dropped or re-casted for a different part.
“All the young men who appear in the film, we all auditioned to play Peter Parker,” the “Magic Mike” star disclosed in an interview on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
“Tobey auditioned to play Peter Parker. James Franco screen-tested as Peter Parker, and I auditioned for Peter Parker when I went in. We all read the same sides and then nudged into our roles.”
Joe Manganiello Believed He Was Not The Right Fit For The Peter Parker Role
Maguire’s performance made many believe that the role was tailor-fitted for him. To date, he is still fondly remembered as the webbed hero despite his many acting credits.
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Like others, Manganiello also praised Maguire’s acting. He also admitted that a part of him knew someone else would get the role regardless of his attempt. In the interview with Meyers, he cited he was not the perfect archetype of Parker.
The role demanded someone who looked like a nerd and could act timid. Manganiello at that time had a big body build that contrasted with the part, which made him a better fit as Flash Thompson the bully.
Joe Manganiello Rejected An Offer To Star In The Marvel Cinematic Universe
Most actors might feel ecstatic to feature in another Marvel role. However, Manganiello surprisingly turned down an offer to be in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when the opportunity presented itself. Despite the actor’s love for the franchise, he turned down the part because he believed it was more like a cameo. He wanted something more substantial, iconic, and would last a long while.
Fortunately, Manganiello’s decision does not shut the door on him starring in a Marvel blockbuster in the future. Once the right role comes along, fans can expect the “Sabotage” star to grab it with both hands.
