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Director Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead 2," "A Simple Plan," "The Gift") brings one of the most popular comic book superheroes to life in this big-budget, big effects, action/romance screen version of "Spider-Man." The premise of the film remains loyal to Stan Lee's vision, with a few minor alterations (some of which have inflamed purists but won't distract from the enjoyment of the movie one iota). Director Raimi is a self-confessed fanatic of the webslinger and was determined to capture the immense task of bringing the beloved superhero to the big screen with all of the character's original spirit and soul intact.

"I was concerned about treading on sacred ground with 'Spider-Man,' because he means so much to so many people, to 40 years of readers and fans. For me, the strength of the character has always been that he is a real person - he's one of us. He's gone through junior high and high school, he's a bit of an outsider, he can't get the girl, he's broke...then an extraordinary event happens to him, and he becomes a superhero - but he still has to do his homework in the evenings," says Raimi.

The casting of the film could be considered the single most important aspect of the entire process. Raimi admits that a lot of great actors were vying for the lead role in "Spider-Man," but Tobey Maguire floored everyone with his powerful performance as Peter Parker. "He was very real, and very potent in his stillness - and he brought a lot of qualities to the character to bring him to life," recalls Raimi.

Tobey Maguire's interest in the film had to do with the fullness of the story and the success of his first meeting with director Sam Raimi. "I was interested in 'Spider-Man,' but only if it was done in a certain way. I didn't want to be part of a big film where it was all action at the expense of the story. When I heard Sam Raimi was going to direct, that really piqued my interest. I really had a great time meeting him and talking with him - he's intelligent, charming and funny, and he made me feel like a part of the team. Sam's a great collaborator and an innovative filmmaker, and I loved working with him," explains Maguire.

When discussing the story, Maguire says, "Peter Parker has experienced a real loss in his life, and he is on a kind of spiritual journey as he grows from a boy to a man. But beyond that, he's got such responsibility and he has to sacrifice so much because he has this power - and he knows he needs to use it for the good of the people around him. I think there's a great journey, and a great love story there."

Tobey Maguire feels that the love story element added a lot to the film. "I think in the beginning of the story, he just wants to share himself with this girl that he's had great affection for since he was six years old. He just wants to share himself with her. He doesn't know how exactly, but he's a very genuine person. He doesn't really have the ability to manufacture something to get her attention. Then he gets these superpowers and misuses them and it leads to tragedy, which motivates the rest of the story. [The love story] helps drive the story. He has to face decisions because of it and at the end, makes a pretty huge sacrifice. I think [the romance angle] adds a lot."

Kirsten Dunst was chosen for the role of Mary Jane, longtime secret love of Peter Parker, after Raimi watched Dunst and Maguire perform together and felt they had chemistry. "What we were looking for in casting MJ was not only an actress who possessed talent and beauty, but someone who made a connection with Tobey," notes Raimi. "We wanted the audience to need them to be together for the picture to work - and when I saw Kirsten Dunst and Tobey perform a scene together, they made that connection. We knew we had found our MJ."

As for Kirsten Dunst, she was attracted to the part because of its positive role model aspect. "I think it was that I could make a superhero for the girls to look up to, and she had a good journey of her own." Dunst recalls, "The script was so strong, and I really liked the character of MJ. She's strong despite the adversity in her life. I really felt it was an important part and not just the girlie-girl flying around."

Dunst's Mary Jane is the love interest of Peter Parker and as such, Dunst felt that "the romance is one of the core emotional drives of 'Spider-Man.' It makes you relate to the characters. I think that Spider-Man is a very relatable superhero. I think that's why he's probably one of the most-beloved superheroes. Because he's a normal guy, people can relate to him, and he has humanistic qualities. You feel for him and you go on a journey with him in this film. You see how he gets his powers and how it's almost a curse for him at times. I think you really feel a lot for Spider-Man and Mary Jane and all the characters because there are good storylines amidst a comic book story."

Rumors circulated during the filming of "Spider-Man" about a real-life romance between Kirsten Dunst and Tobey Maguire. Both have graciously denied the rumors, stating they were just good friends. Rumors aside, the onscreen pairing of Dunst and Maguire, under the direction of Sam Raimi, helps make "Spider-Man" one of the must-see films of 2002.