Kirsten Dunst Says She’d Love to Return for Spider-Man 4 Where Peter and MJ Start a Family – and Fans Are Dreaming Already
When it comes to superhero films that defined a generation, Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy stands tall at the top. Released between 2002 and 2007, the films brought to life a version of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson that fans still hold close to their hearts. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst’s chemistry carried those movies through emotional highs and heartbreaking lows, cementing them as classics that set the stage for the superhero boom that followed. For many fans, the trilogy was never truly finished, especially after plans for a fourth installment were shelved back in 2010. Now, nearly two decades later, the idea of Spider-Man 4 is back in the air—and this time, Kirsten Dunst herself is fueling the conversation with a fresh, heartfelt twist.
In a recent conversation, Kirsten Dunst admitted she’d be open to reprising her iconic role as MJ, but only if the story had a new kind of heart. She imagined a world where Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson had moved forward in life, becoming parents and raising a family. In her words, “That would be cool, right? I mean, I don’t know if the fans are into it.” It wasn’t a grand pitch or a major announcement, but a simple, casual thought that has already set social media buzzing. The prospect of a Spider-Man story that doesn’t just focus on Peter’s struggles as a young hero, but on his life as a father, feels like a natural and exciting evolution of the character.
It’s worth noting that there’s no official greenlight from Sony or Marvel Studios for Spider-Man 4, at least not yet. No script has been written, and no director has been attached. But the spark of possibility is alive because of the way cast members keep bringing it up. Tobey Maguire returned in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, delivering one of the biggest movie surprises of the decade. His appearance as an older, wiser Peter Parker not only reignited nostalgia for his era but also left fans wondering if his journey had truly come to an end. His quiet, fatherly tone in that film already gave off the feeling that his Peter had been through more than what we saw in Raimi’s trilogy, and Dunst’s comment only builds on that vision.
The thought of Peter and MJ as parents resonates with fans because it mirrors the way audiences themselves have grown up. The kids who lined up in theaters to see the first Spider-Man in 2002 are now adults, many with families of their own. Seeing Peter Parker face the challenges of fatherhood, while still carrying the weight of responsibility as Spider-Man, would not only feel relatable but deeply emotional. Imagine the themes of balancing family and duty, of teaching children about sacrifice, or even passing on the mantle to the next generation. It could be one of the most human superhero stories ever told.
This isn’t without precedent in the comics. In various alternate universes, Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson have been shown as parents. Sometimes it’s their daughter, May Parker, also known as “Spider-Girl,” who takes up the legacy. Other times, the focus is on the struggles of being a family in a world constantly under threat. These storylines have long been fan favorites because they show a side of superheroes we don’t often get to see: not just as fighters of crime, but as parents, partners, and vulnerable human beings trying to protect the ones they love most.
Kirsten Dunst’s openness to the idea adds authenticity to the possibility. For years, she has distanced herself from rumors of returning to Spider-Man, often saying her chapter was closed. So when she says she would do it if the story was right, it feels different—more genuine, more hopeful. Her words reflect not only curiosity but also a willingness to revisit a character that clearly still means something to her.
The fan response has been immediate. Social media platforms have been flooded with artwork, fan posters, and story ideas imagining Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst raising a Spider-kid in New York City. Some envision a film where Peter has to come out of retirement to protect his family, while others imagine MJ and Peter raising a daughter who discovers her own powers. The buzz shows just how much love there still is for this version of Spider-Man, even in a world where the Marvel Cinematic Universe is thriving with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker.
And then there’s the business side of things. Sony has shown a willingness to revisit past Spider-Man projects after the massive success of No Way Home. Bringing back Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire proved that nostalgia, when handled with respect, can be a billion-dollar idea. Fans want more closure, and the studios know it. A Spider-Man 4 focusing on Peter and MJ as parents could carve its own lane, separate from Tom Holland’s ongoing adventures, while appealing to a slightly older demographic of fans who grew up with Raimi’s trilogy.
Of course, the road isn’t without obstacles. Creative direction, studio politics, and scheduling conflicts could all get in the way. Tobey Maguire has been selective about his roles in recent years, and Sam Raimi himself, while still active in Hollywood, would have to be involved in a meaningful way for fans to truly feel the magic return. Still, the conversation is alive because the cast keeps hinting that they’re not opposed to it. And in Hollywood, ideas that gain enough fan traction have a way of turning into reality.
At the heart of it all is the emotional pull. Spider-Man has always been the most relatable superhero because he isn’t perfect. He struggles with love, with money, with responsibility, and with loss. To see him as a father would be the ultimate evolution of that relatability. It’s not about bigger villains or flashier battles—it’s about seeing the hero grow in the same way his audience has grown. Kirsten Dunst’s casual comment may have been offhand, but it hit a chord because it touched on something fans have quietly wanted for years: a chance to say goodbye to Peter and MJ properly, in a story that honors their journey and shows what comes next.
For now, Spider-Man 4 remains just an idea, floating in the realm of “what if.” But that’s often where the best stories start. Fans are already dreaming, the actors are open to it, and the timing feels right. Whether it’s five years from now or never, the possibility itself is enough to keep the excitement alive. If Peter Parker’s story has taught us anything, it’s that hope can never be underestimated. And right now, fans are hoping harder than ever that Spider-Man 4 might finally swing onto the big screen—with Peter and MJ holding their child’s hand as they look toward the future.