Kirsten Dunst recently shared her experiences of feeling belittled and facing challenges while filming the iconic 'Spider-Man' trilogy in the 2000s. Dunst portrayed the character of Mary Jane Watson in the Sam Raimi-directed movies.
During a recent interview with Marie Claire, Dunst revealed that she was often referred to as 'girly-girl' on set, which made her uncomfortable. Despite feeling uneasy about the nickname, she did not speak up at the time due to struggling with self-worth and the lack of a supportive environment for actors to voice their concerns before the #MeToo movement gained momentum in 2018.
Dunst credited working with female filmmakers early in her career for boosting her self-confidence. She expressed that with male directors, she sometimes felt objectified, stating, 'I feel like I get hired because I'm someone that they might want to sleep with.'
Reflecting on her time filming the 'Spider-Man' movies, Dunst also disclosed instances of facing pressure to alter her appearance. She recounted a producer's attempt to take her to a dentist to change her teeth before filming the first movie when she was just 19 years old. Dunst, however, stood her ground, asserting her preference for her natural smile.
Additionally, Dunst highlighted a significant pay gap between herself and her co-star Tobey Maguire, who played Spider-Man in the trilogy. Despite the disparity, she expressed her willingness to star in another superhero movie, citing financial responsibilities towards her family.
While Dunst did not disclose specific salary figures, reports indicated Maguire received substantially higher pay than her for the 'Spider-Man' films. Despite the challenges faced, Dunst's openness about her experiences sheds light on the complexities actors, especially women, may encounter in the film industry.
