Released in 2002, the first Spider-Man film went on to be a major success and an early precursor for the resurgence in superhero films that currently dominate the global box office. The film was ubiquitous when it was released -- with a version of it even appearing within one version of the Marvel Universe.
In the Ultimate Universe, Spider-Man ended up being the focus of a major film franchise -- and wasn't the only person enraged by the existence of the film.
In Ultimate Spider-Man #54-#59 by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley -- otherwise known as the "Hollywood" story-arc -- a young Peter Parker is shocked to learn that a movie is being produced within his universe that's clearly based on his adventures. Titled Spider-Man, the film is surprisingly similar to the real-life film adaptation of the character -- with the Ultimate Universe version of Sam Raimi directing the film, and Tobey Maguire starring in the title role. The film is even produced by Avi Arad, who produced the Raimi Spider-Man films. During an interview with the in-universe version of Entertainment News, Arad even surprisingly predicts Peter Parker's persona -- identifying him as a "nobody" who can grab the entire world's imagination when he dons the identity of Spider-Man.
The film, which is set to include Doctor Octopus as the chief villain, even finds a way to incorporate Mysterio -- as played by Raimi's frequent collaborator Bruce Campbell, who was rumored to be close to playing Mysterio in the original Spider-Man films. Initially, Peter is caught off-guard by the development, especially when he learns it's being filmed in the city. In costume, Peter arrives on the scene to confront Tobey Macguire and the whole cast and crew for co-opting his story for a quick buck -- although he does admit that he thinks Evil Dead 2, directed by a young Raimi, is a cool film. Arad offers to actually pay Spider-Man to become a consultant on the film -- on the condition he reveal his secret identity to the producers.
But even when Peter refused, Arad reveals he's still saved $1.2 million dollars by filming an enraged Spider-Man leaping around the set. Even Kenny Kong -- Peter's quasi-friend from Midtown High -- is set to make more money from the movie than he is after being cast as an extra. But things become far more dangerous when it's announced that Doctor Octopus is set to be the villain of the film. Learning that his ex-wife Roselita had been brought on as a consultant for the film, Doctor Octopus sets out to attack the production while it's shooting in New York City -- prompting Spider-Man to reluctantly defend the production he already detests.
Although Peter is able to save the cast and crew, he's ultimately captured by Doctor Octopus for his troubles and dragged onto to a private plane -- only escaping and defeating the villain when the plane is briefly forced to make a landing in Brazil. Within four months, the film is completed -- even utilizing footage from the actual battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus, capitalizing on the news coverage of the event to help ensure that the film earns impressive box office receipts within a record amount of time. It's a silly story, serving as a counter to the more dramatic affairs of Peter's home-life (which included his friend Gwen Stacy discovering his secret identity). But it's still a notable instance of the real-world running into a version of the Marvel Universe to major effect.