In 2002, the modern era of comic-book movies was ushered in on the back of Spider-Man. Sam Raimi's film elevated the profile of its two stars, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, for their respective portrayals of Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson. But when it came time to make Spider-Man 2, Dunst remembers that there was a significant salary gap between them.

During a recent profile with Variety, Dunst was reminded that Maguire was paid $17 million to reprise his role. But according to Dunst, “It might have been more, actually.” She also noted that her salary "was different. A lot different. And I was in Bring It On and had a track record.” Regardless, Dunst has previously mentioned that she would have returned for Spider-Man: No Way Home if she had been asked. And she still looks back at her Spider-Man experience with a lot of fondness.

"It was so innocent, the reasons I wanted to be in that film,” recalled Dunst. “The story lived within Sam in such a deep way that I needed to be a part of that feeling, I guess.” Dunst also noted that “Tobey and I immediately had a connection,” after their initial screen test together.