The A-Z of Spider-Man

10 April 2012

Bis for Black Widow: A real black widow spider was used in the film - and had to land on Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire's hand. However, the specimen in question lacked the distinctive red markings that the director wanted and had to wear a 'costume'.

C is for Cannon and Carolco: These film studios fought through the Eighties and Nineties over who owned the rights to Spider-Man, so movie could not be made, even though Titanic director James Cameron was desperate to start. The dispute was settled by Stan Lee (co-creator of Spider-Man) and Sony who will distribute the film.

D is for Steve Ditko: He created the original artwork for the Spider-Man strip in Marvel magazine. He fell out with co-creator Stan Lee and left Marvel in 1966. Now a recluse, he has not given an interview in 35 years. He made little money from Spider-Man as he was on 'work for hire' contract that stopped him being paid royalties.

E is for Ewan McGregor: Moulin Rouge star was strongest contender for the sought after role of Spider-Man. But director Sam Raimi was determined to have Tobey Maguire (The Cider House Rules). He managed to convince the studios after showing them a screen test of Maguire in a Spider-Man suit.

F is for Fly: Stan Lee was inspired to create Spider-Man after watching a fly crawl up his kitchen wall.

G is for Green Goblin: Spider-Man's arch enemy (Willem Dafoe in the film) and the cause of Ditko and Lee's falling out in the Sixties. Lee wanted Goblin to be a person already known to Spider-Man. Ditko thought it more realistic for the arch-villain to be a stranger.

His for Heist: While the movie triumphed at the box office this weekend, a thief stole a first edition of The Amazing Spider-Man and other rare comics worth £14,000 from Action Comics in Manhattan, handcuffing an assistant while apologising for the theft.

I is for Insectman: One of early names suggested by Lee for Spider-Man. Was rejected, along with Mosquitoman.

J is for J. Jonah Jameson: Editor of the Daily Bugle which runs smear campaign against Spider-Man. Is superhero's ongoing nemesis in the original cartoons. In the film he is played by J. K. Simmons, a singer from Montana, best known for role as consultant psychiatrist in the U.S. drama series Law And Order.

K is for Kirsten Dunst: She plays 'M.J.' - Mary Jane Watson, fiery on-off girlfriend of Spider-Man. Spider-Man also had girlfriend called Gwen Stacey, but she's not mentioned in film.

L is for Stan Lee: Co-creator of Spider-Man who has cameo role in film. Can be spotted briefly in Times Square scene.

M is for Marvel comic: Spider-Man's adventures first appeared here. M also for his Motto: 'With great power comes great responsibility.'

N is for Net: His ability to fire a net of webbing has inspired Japanese police to introduce a gun that fires a five metre metal net that can bind up out-of-control football fans at this year's World Cup. N is also for Nickname - only superhero to have an affectionate nickname ('Spidey').

O is for Orphan: Spider-Man is left an orphan after his parents die in a plane crash. Lives with uncle Ben and aunt May. Uncle's murder by a burglar inspires Spider-Man to become crime-fighter.

P is for Peter Parker: Spider-Man's real name. Wimpy but clever teenager has difficulty talking to girls. Marked a radical departure from previous superheroes Superman and Batman as full of self-doubt about his powers.

Q is for Queues: Be prepared for them when the movie opens here in mid-June.

R is for Ayn Rand: Steve Ditko, who drew Spider-Man strips, fell under spell of U.S. philosopher who espoused an extreme right-wing view of humanity in which intelligentsia should rule the world and never compromise with mediocrity. Ditko's obsession was a factor in the break up of his partnership with Lee.

S is for Scottish: Mark Millar from Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, is chief writer for Marvel Comics in New York and dreams up adventures of Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. Trade mark is to have reference to home town football team, Albion Rovers, in stories.

T is for Electronic Tagging: In a 1979 strip,villain Big Boy attached bracelet to Spider-Man's ankles to monitor his movements. Jack Love, a district judge in Albuquerque, New Mexico, saw the cartoon and thought it would work for released offenders. Persuaded a friend to manufacture them.

U is for Universal Studios: Created The Amazing Adventures Of Spider-Man ride in 1999 in a Florida theme park - most technologically advanced ride ever in which vehicles hurtle through 3-D action, and pyrotechnic special effects. Cost £40m to build.

V is for Vegetarian: Spider-Man actor Tobey Maguire named World's Sexiest Vegetarian by charity PETA. V also for villains - as well as the Green Goblin, Spiderman has fought the Chameleon, The Vulture and Tinkerer.

W is for World Trade Center: Film did have scene in which Spider-Man scales the Twin Towers. After September 11 it was cut from the film and trailer.

X is for Kiss: Most famous scene in movie is steamy upside down kiss between Maguire and Dunst, in which Maguire is hanging head down, from a thread. But he said: 'It was five in the morning. I had been working all night. It was raining and it was pouring up my nose. I couldn't really breathe.'

Y is for yoga: Maguire took five months of yoga classes before filming to be fit enough to play webbed crusader.

Z is for Laura Ziskin: Producer of Spider-Man and known for romantic comedies such as Pretty Woman. She has a fearsome reputation.

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