Highlights
Fans at San Diego Comic-Con were treated to a charismatic display of the infamous "Bully Maguire" dance meme by actor Yuri Lowenthal, known for his role in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. This playful re-enactment, originally performed by Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker in Spider-Man 3, elicited a range of reactions from fans, ultimately establishing itself as a beloved meme cherished for its delightful silliness.In the upcoming game, as Peter Parker encounters the Venom Symbiote, fans are eagerly anticipating how this will shape his character and the symbiote's influence, igniting discussions about potential new memes.
Yuri Lowenthal, the actor portraying Peter Parker in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, delighted fans by recreating a well-known meme from the Sam Raimi live-action Spider-Man film trilogy. The highly anticipated superhero open-world adventure is just a few months away from its release, and fans are eagerly anticipating the next installment from Insomniac Games. Recently, a captivating new story-focused trailer for Spider-Man 2 was unveiled, offering a glimpse of Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Mary-Jane Watson with refreshed looks, while also introducing Kraven, Venom, and other characters in the mix.
The developers and cast members showcased this at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 through a panel. The panel provided insights into the new game, including Peter Parker residing in Aunt May's former home and its significance in the storyline and explorable areas. Yuri Lowenthal, the actor for Peter Parker/Spider-Man, was also present. Prior to the official start of the panel, Lowenthal decided to kick things off by reenacting the popular "Bully Maguire" dance meme from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man film trilogy.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 panel commenced with Lowenthal climbing onto the table and performing the exact dance that Tobey Maguire did in Spider-Man 3. In that film, Peter Parker, under the influence of the Venom Symbiote, gained confidence and danced in public. The crowd in attendance greatly enjoyed Lowenthal's playful gesture, cheering in support of the actor's rendition of the iconic meme.
Initially scoffed at by fans who believed it was inconsistent with the "Evil" Spider-Man persona influenced by the Venom Symbiote, the scene in Spider-Man 3 has now gained notoriety as a meme due to its absurdity and comical value. It has been widely shared and incorporated into various situations, eliciting laughter from fans. The "Bully Maguire" meme has even made appearances in other Spider-Man media, paying tribute to the infamous scene. In Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, the scene is faithfully recreated, with the Spider-Man character in the film humorously stating, "we don't talk about that."
Since the announcement of Marvel's Spider-Man 2, where Peter Parker encounters the Venom Symbiote, fans have expressed their desire to see memes recreated within the game. These memes predominantly involve Peter Parker's behavior while under the symbiote's influence. Previews of the game have provided glimpses into how Peter's actions differ when empowered by the symbiote, and the voice actor, Yuri Lowenthal, has remarked that the developers aimed to bring a touch of realism to this aspect. This includes ensuring a clear distinction between his performances as the friendly neighborhood Peter and the aloof Spidey infused with the symbiote.
Marvel's Spider-Man 2 launches October 20 for PlayStation 5.