The 2002 Spider-Man film is celebrated as a beloved movie in the MCU, known for its success at the box office and among fans. Kirsten Dunst recently revealed some less-than-ideal moments she faced while shooting one of the film's most iconic scenes.
Sam Raimi's portrayal of the superhero in the live-action movie marked the beginning of many memorable moments in the franchise. One such moment was the famous upside-down kiss in the rain between Spider-Man and Mary Jane. Despite the scene's romantic nature, Kirsten Dunst, who played Mary Jane, unveiled the challenges she encountered during its filming.
While promoting the movie Civil War, Dunst appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show and shared her experiences working on Spider-Man. Contrary to the scene being perceived as a romantic highlight, Dunst described it as a 'miserable' experience, mentioning the difficulties faced by both herself and Tobey Maguire, her co-star.
Recalling how Raimi gave her a book of famous kisses to inspire the scene, Dunst highlighted the effort put into making it unforgettable. In the alley scene, Spider-Man rescues Mary Jane from thugs, leading to the upside-down kiss. Despite its popularity among fans, Dunst admitted that the filming conditions were far from enjoyable due to rain and cold weather. She mentioned, 'It was pouring with rain, freezing, Tobey couldn’t breathe so it was almost like I was resuscitating him.' In a 2022 interview with W Magazine, Dunst elaborated on Maguire's struggles with water getting into his nose and breathing difficulties in the Spider-Man suit.
Furthermore, Dunst addressed another discomfort faced during the Spider-Man shoots. She revealed feeling uneasy about being tagged as a 'girly-girl,' a term used humorously by the crew. Despite feeling belittled by these remarks, Dunst admitted to staying silent at the time due to her own insecurities. Reflecting on that time, she expressed a sense of being undervalued. Nonetheless, despite the challenges, Dunst has shown interest in reprising her role as Mary Jane in potential future MCU projects.
Spider-Man (2002) can be streamed on Disney Plus.