How Tobey Maguire nearly lost Spider-Man role to Jake Gyllenhaal.

(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Byline: Ruben V. Nepales

LOS ANGELES-How Tobey Maguire lost a $17-million role as Spider-Man and got it back was revealed in detail for the first time by director Sam Raimi in an interview at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel.

Responding to a question by Inquirer Entertainment on why Maguire almost did not come back as the web-slinging superhero in "Spider-Man 2," Raimi explained, "We were told by Tobey's representatives that he has a back that's very sensitive and if he did stunts, he is in danger of being crippled for life. So I was put in an unusual situation. I didn't want to be responsible (if he got crippled). I did not want to work with an actor whom I could cripple nor did I want him on the set and say, hmm, even if the movie needs this stunt, I better not ask him to do it. That wouldn't be fair to the movie."

'Awful, awful call'

Raimi continued, "So I thought, we could go ahead without Tobey. As much as I love Tobey personally and as much as I love his performance, and as hard as …