Tobey Maguire has been telling how he had to fight for his part in Spider-Man 2 after producers fired him from the film.
Apparently the actor was axed from the production because bosses thought he couldn't manage some of the stunts. The 27-year-old had been experiencing back problems and failed to take a medical scan requested by the special effects team.
Speaking in an interview, Tobey says he assumed an exception would be made, even though his employers were concerned about his back. The actor had suffered a painful herniated disc, and studio chiefs were worried it would interfere with the production. When he sent a medical adviser to discuss the problem with them instead of going along himself, they lost patience.
Tobey got a rude awakening when producers sacked him and hired upcoming star Jake Gyllenhaal, of Donnie Darko fame, instead. The Cider House Rules actor was forced to apologise and plead for his job back. He also called in some help from Universal boss Ron Meyer, the father of his girlfriend Jennifer Meyer.
Tobey was eventually reinstated, meaning Spidey fans can look forward to seeing him in another web-slinging thriller in 2004.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
