LOS ANGELES: Actors Tobey Maguire and Willem Dafoe have been awarded a Guinness World Record for the longest career as live-action Marvel characters. The record recognizes their enduring roles in the Spider-Man franchise, beginning with their performances in Spider-Man (2002).
Maguire, 46, and Dafoe, 66, have surpassed the previous record held by Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Patrick Stewart (Professor X), who first appeared in X-Men (2000) and last reprised their roles in Logan (2017), setting a record of 16 years and 232 days.
Spider-Man (2002), directed by Sam Raimi, was a seminal film in the superhero genre, detailing the origin of Marvel Comics’ web-slinger, Peter Parker. Maguire stars as Parker, who gains arachnid-like abilities after a genetically altered spider bite and uses them to combat crime. Dafoe plays the film’s antagonist, Green Goblin.
Before Maguire was cast, several prominent actors, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Heath Ledger, were considered for the lead role, with James Franco eventually securing the part of Harry Osborn. Maguire, discovered by Raimi in The Cider House Rules (1999), impressed the studio despite initial concerns over his superhero image and committed to extensive physical training for the role.
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