Getting a pairing right on the big screen is far easier said than done, and when a studio gets the chemistry down right, they wind up having a project with a lot of potential on their hands in an instant. Back in the 2000s, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst proved to be a dynamic duo when they starred in Spider-Man together.

Whoever conjured the idea of putting these two together certainly deserved a raise, as their chemistry helped that first film turn into a major franchise. Prior to them being cast in this movie, however, another set of filmmakers had the bright idea of pairing them together in a horror film that wound up being a major success. Unfortunately, things didn't work out there, and the rest is history.

Let's look back at Dunst and Maguire and see which movie wanted them on board first.

Maguire And Dunst Have Had Incredible Careers

When looking back at what Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst were able to achieve in their biggest years, it becomes quite clear that these two have had nothing short of impressive careers. They took different paths to the top, and once they broke out, they each became notable stars in Hollywood.

Kirsten Dunst began her time in Hollywood at the end of the 80s and started getting experience before breaking out. 1994's Interview with the Vampire was a showcase for the young actress, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the film. From then on, the young Dunst looked to capitalize on her newfound fame and success. Little Women marked another success in 1994, and Dunst would take part in successful projects like Jumanji, Kiki's Delivery Service, Bring It On, and more as she continued her impressive career.

Maguire, much like Dunst, began acting back in the 80s, but he took much longer to become a star. He gained plenty of experience in films like Joyride, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, and Pleasantville during the 90s, but he was still looking for the right role to make him a star.

Low and behold, these two would cross paths on the big screen and reach an entirely new level of fame together.

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They Teamed Up For The 'Spider-Man' Franchise

Back in 2002, Spider-Man made its debut on the big screen, and Marvel's most popular character was just what audiences were looking for during that time. X-Men had already opened the floodgates for a fresh slate of comic book movies, and Spider-Man wound up becoming a colossal hit for the studio.

Maguire and Dunst were perfect together on the big sceen, and after their first film grossed over $800 million, the studio knew that they had a huge franchise on their hands.

Spider-Man 2, which many still consider to be one of the best comic book movies ever made, came into theaters in 2004 and net over $780 million. The third and final film in the trilogy, Spider-Man 3, was able to make nearly $900 million, but the film was trashed by fans and critics, ending the trilogy on a down note.

Despite the way things ended, there is no denying the impact that the original Spider-Man trilogy had on the genre. Maguire and Dunst were a huge reason why things worked out so well, and before they were paired together for this franchise, they nearly got another one started in an entirely different genre.

Related: Here's Why Kirsten Dunst's Mom Didn't Like Her Dating Jake Gyllenhaal

They Nearly Starred In 'Final Destination' Together

Released in 2000, just two years before Spider-Man, Final Destination was a horror film that was looking to piggyback off the success of movies like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, who used young casts with great scripts. After making over $100 million, Final Destination was a genuine success that kickstarted a franchise.

Prior to Devon Sawa being cast as Alex Browning in the film, Tobey Maguire had the role locked down. Maguire, however, would bow out of the role, opening the door for Sawa, who was a major teen star in the 90s, to take the job and add an impressive credit to his filmography.

Dunst, meanwhile, was who the studio wanted to play Clear, as she had plenty of name value during this time. Eventually, Ali Larter would get the gig and star opposite of Sawa in the popular flick.

Related: Here's Why Tobey Maguire Has A Reputation For Being Difficult To Work With

Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst could have done a fantastic job in Final Destination, but we imagine that they are both happy to have ended up making a few Spider-Man movies with one another instead.

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