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Well, there’s no denying that blockbuster superhero films have often been about the lead character, villain, and love interest, which leave little to no room for side characters to shine. Similarly, even in Tobey Maguire’s worst-rated Spider-Man film, the focus of the narrative went to Peter Parker leaving the underrated side characters to go unnoticed.
Take for example Elya Baskin’s character Mr. Ditkovich, and his daughter Ursula (Mageina Tovah), who actually deserved to be celebrated, but ended up going overlooked, until recently when fans realized their importance. Now, the two characters are making rounds on social media for being significant characters in the Spider-Man universe.
Elya Baskin’s Mr. Ditkovich is getting the recognition he deserves
Mr. Ditkovich had immediately become an integral part of the Spider-Man storylines, following his appearance inTobey Maguire‘sSpider-Man 2. Considering how he pestered Peter Parker with his constant nagging about rent, amid the superhero’s Spidey duties of saving the neighborhood, Elya Baskin’s character quickly became a major antagonist in Sam Raimi’s second Spider-Man installment.
Insomniac’s Spider-Man 3 Can Revive an Obscure Villain for a Fitting Trilogy That it Has Already Hinted
But then, it wasn’t until Tobey Maguire’s worst-ratedSpider-Man 3—due to mashed storyline, rushed character development, and a lack of focus on any single narrative thread—that people realized Mr. Ditkovich’s importance. However, even then, right after the release of the threequel in 2007, Elya Baskin’s character failed to garner the spotlight that he deserved.
Thankfully, in recent years, Elya Baskin managed to gain the recognition that long-awaited him. Now, taking to X andReddit, people have started admiring Mr. Ditkovich for more than just Peter Parker’s irritating landlord. Addressing how Mr. Ditkovich allowed Peter to live in that rundown apartment, despite failing to pay his rent on multiple occasions, netizens unanimously hailed Baskin’s character.
I like that last movie he’s presented as really unlikeable, a typical asshole landlord, but the moment Pete gets on this power-trip, instead of letting him and us indulge in the power fantasy…It immediately casts Mr. Ditkovich as a genuine person who recognizes…https://t.co/F2nLRf7xvhpic.twitter.com/9dXNzbPcjV
The fact he said “he must be in some kind of trouble” shows his character to understand Peter’s character, that Parker doesn’t lash out at people almost at all unless something is very wrongpic.twitter.com/8twgllBD40
“He must be in some sort of trouble.” I love that he’s more worried than upset at Peter lashing out at him, knowing that’s not how he acts normally.
The third movie also showed Ditkovich’s layers by making HIM the guy to give Peter advice on how to propose to Mary-Jane.“If it’s a woman you’re calling, you say, ‘You are good woman, I’m good man!’ Mmm?”
Further, addressing how Mr. Ditkovich brought out Peter’s childish side, while the world relied on him, fans on social media noted that Elya Baskin’s character was the only one inSpider-Man 3,who tolerated Tobey Maguire’s impulses. Moreover, recalling how Mr. Ditkovich saw right through Peter when he yelled at him, realizing that Peter might be in trouble, fans couldn’t get enough of him.
Ursula Ditkovich stole people’s hearts with her soft love for Peter Parker
But hold on, for Mr. Ditkovich isn’t the only one who got his deserving recognition after over a decade—there’s also his daughter Ursula, who finally got the spotlight shone on her. Although Sam Raimi’sSpider-Man 3featuring Tobey Maguire andKirsten Dunstfocused on Peter Parker’s romance with Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson, fans finally realized there was also Ursula who had a soft spot for Peter.
“The only one who really liked Peter not Spidey”: Marvel Fans Wish Sam Raimi Had Given Us More of Tobey Maguire’s Unexplored Romance With Ursula in Spider-Man Trilogy
First appearing inSpider-Man 2(2004) and later reprising her role inSpider-Man 3Ursula Ditkovich, played by Mageina Tovah, became a fresh character in the Spider-Verse since she doesn’t exist in the comics. Meanwhile, it was her sweet and kind behavior towards Peter, unlike her father, that turned her into a recently appreciated character inSam Raimi‘s films.
Despite the trilogy focusing primarily on Mary Jane and Gwen Stacy as the female protagonists, it was Ursula who recently took our hearts away, even with her minimal screen time. Considering how she brought warmth and normalcy to the world around Tobey Maguire’s Peter Parker, fans even shipped Ursula and Peter together. In anInstagramreel, fans vouched for Ursula as a beloved character, who sadly got overlooked following the film’s release.
Spider-Manfilms are currently available to watch on Disney+.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3218
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
