The main narrative in the Spider-Man series, directed by Sam Raimi, is centered around the growing bond between Peter Parker and Harry Osbourne. Raimi’s version of the web-slinger showcases the eventual transformation of close buddies into enemies. However, similar to their on-screen roles, some friction was visible between Tobey Maguire and James Franco.
Franco spilled the beans, saying that some part of this friction was due to his affection towards Tobey Maguire’s love interest, Kirsten Dunst. Their reported feud over the actress could’ve caused issues with the production.
James Franco Had a Crush On Kirsten Dunst
During the production of the first Spider-Man film, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst started dating, escaping the eyes of the paparazzi. Both actors maintained stayed mum about their romantic escapades that only a few people, including Sam Raimi, were aware of.
Raimi said (via People):
“They apparently began dating with each other, I think, in the middle of the first movie…although I didn’t know it at the time. But definitely they eventually broke up before the second movie. I was concerned they wouldn’t get the same chemistry back, but it was just me worrying.”
When Maguire and Dunst started their relationship, James Franco revealed that he had a crush on Dunst, which sparked some tension between him and the lead of the film, Maguire.
Franco told Playboy (via Daily Star):
“Tobey and Kristen became a couple around that time. I had a crush on Kirsten, and I think I was upset about that as well…Tobey was mad at me for a while. By the second film, we were cool.”
Sam Raimi saw the striking resemblance between Franco, Maguire, and Dunst’s dynamics and the love triangle shown in Raimi’s own films.
James Franco Helped Selena Gomez While Shooting Spring Breakers
While filming the Muse Productions movie, Spring Breakers, Selena Gomez went through emotional exhaustion during a pivotal scene that also featured James Franco. Recalling this particular scene from the film, Gomez shared her thoughts with MTV News.
“There is a scene in the movie where James and I have a confrontation — a very awkward, uncomfortable confrontation. And I knew about that scene two minutes before we shot it. I was supposed to be finished for the day. We had finished the crying scene. I was in the pool house and I was bawling and I was so tired of crying because you get exhausted from crying. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m done’.”
The intense exchange of words added a layer to the scene, ultimately evoking a strong emotional response from the actress. Even after the shooting stopped, Gomez needed some time to get back to her normal self, and James Franco was the first one to offer his support to the actress.
