History WhatCouldHaveBeen / SpiderMan

* Creator/RadicalEntertainment, the developers behind ''VideoGame/{{Prototype}}'' & ''VideoGame/Prototype2'', were set to make a LicensedGame based on the film. [[https://lostmediawiki.com/Spider-Man_4_(found_unreleased_video_games_based_on_cancelled_Marvel_film_sequel;_2010) Prototypes]] for UsefulNotes/{{Wii}} and UsefulNotes/Xbox360 versions resurfaced in 2019 and 2021 respectively.

** They also later revealed that [[spoiler:Earth 42 Miles was, like the test footage shows, originally going to be the Prowler's sidekick, which didn't get the shocked reaction from test audiences they were aiming for. It was then they got the idea that Earth 42 Miles would be the Prowler ''himself'' that they realised had much more of an impact. ]]

* Earth 42 Miles was going to have a bigger role instead of simply showing up at the end, but as the movies were split in two, his part of the story had to be saved for ''Beyond''.

** Creator/MichaelBJordan also auditioned for the role of Harry Osborn before the casting of [=DeHaan=]. Creator/AndrewGarfield actually [[http://www.slashfilm.com/andrew-garfield-suggests-gay-spider-man-wants-michael-b-jordan-for-mj recommended him appearing in the movie as a]] ''[[GenderFlip male]]'' ComicBook/MaryJaneWatson. Jordan would eventually go on to play [[ComicBook/HumanTorch Johnny Storm]] in ''Film/{{Fantastic Four|2015}}'' ''and'' ComicBook/{{Killmonger}} in ''Film/{{Black Panther|2018}}'' respectively.

* Numerous sequences were filmed and ultimately scrapped from the final product, with some left in a state of limbo and no word as to the status of whether filming was completed. A separate cut, ''Spider-Man 3: Editor's Cut'', was initiated by film editor Bob Murawski to unofficially commemorate the film's 15th anniversary, and does integrate some unused material, though plenty more is still lost on the cutting room floor.

* Another deleted scene had Miles following Gwen while invisible to a construction site where he sees her talking to the holograms of not only Jess, but Miguel and other members of the Spider-society as well. He would eventually show himself to their surprise, directly asking Miguel's hologram why he couldn't be part of the Society and being rejected. He and Gwen would talk directly with Gwen telling Miles she had no choice in doing what Miguel ordered and that Miles had a better thing going with his parents than she did in the society anyway. This version also appears to not have included Gwen and Miles' swing around the city as Miles reveals his suit to Miguel and Gwen refers to it as if she hadn't seen it before.

** They also later revealed that [[spoiler:Earth 42 Miles was, like the DeletedScene shows, originally going to be the Prowler's sidekick, which didn't get the shocked reaction from test audiences they were aiming for. It was then they got the idea that Earth 42 Miles would be the Prowler ''himself'', which they realised had much more of an impact. ]]

* Another deleted scene had Miles following Gwen while invisible to a construction site where he sees her talking to the holograms of not only Jess, but Miguel and other members of the Spider-society as well. He would eventually show himself to their surprise, directly asking Miguel's hologram why he couldn't be part of the society and being rejected. He and Gwen would talk directly with Gwen telling Miles she had no choice in doing what Miguel ordered and that Miles had a better thing going with his parents than she did in the society anyway. This version also appears to not have included Gwen and Miles' swing around the city as Miles reveals his suit to Miguel and Gwen refers to it as if she hadn't seen it before.

* Former EIC Creator/JimShooter claimed in [[https://www.cbr.com/jim-shooter-interview-part-1/ a 2000 interview for CBR]] that Creator/BillMantlo, when he was writer on ''The Spectacular Spider-Man'' in TheEighties tried to pitch an idea to his editor and then Shooter himself about Felicia Hardy becoming pregnant with Peter's illegitimate child. Shooter told him on the spot that [[ExecutiveVeto it's not happening]] because the idea of a moral icon like Peter having a child out of wedlock would bring down the wrath of the bible belt down on them, while also scaring away all of Marvel's sponsors who were using Spider-Man as a license. What Mantlo might have planned with that story and his intentions for it are unfortunately unknown since an accident that he suffered left him injured and suffering from permanent brain damage. A similar plot was actually featured in the DLC for the ''VideoGame/SpiderManPS4'' game [[spoiler:where it turns out to be a con played by Felicia on clueless Pete]].

* When the movie got split in two, the writers struggled with where to put the cliffhanger, and originally ended it when Miles is tied to the punching bag and Prowler Miles puts his fist next to him. This was poorly received by test audiences, however, and the decision to show Miles ripping the glove, showing he was planning how to break free, along with Gwen having gathered her team to save him, got added in the last few months of production to make the cliffhanger more hopeful.