It so happens that Gwyneth Paltrow’s appearance in Hook makes even many fans realize, but brings to the forefront a star-studded cast. Spielberg’s movies, including Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Jaws, are legendary — among his entire filmography, Hook competes with a lot. It is a reimagining of the classic story of Peter Pan from 1991, but by far one of the biggest hits of the director.

From 1998 to 2017, the filmmaker has produced at least five films with Tom Hanks. Spielberg has collaborated with both Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks on multiple occasions. As his career has advanced, he has had the opportunity to work with some of the most renowned individuals in the industry. Despite their popularity, Spielberg has not consistently depended on well-known actors to carry his movies.

Another Academy Award recipient shares her position with Paltrow as well. Years later, Williams and Roberts would both achieve the prestigious award, making it a total of three winners. Tinkerbell has a smaller part in the film, as a sort of play on words, just like Julia Roberts. Dustin Hoffman plays the exaggerated role of Captain Hook, of course. The film is primarily centered around the idea of Robin Williams portraying Peter Pan. The movie heavily relies on the fame and reputation of its actors, particularly Hook.

Gwyneth Paltrow collaborated with him in one of her earlier performances.

It’s easy. The reason Paltrow was cast in the movie is because she plays a younger version of Wendy who visits Peter many times over the years, chronicling their story in a flashback. Inspired by Peter’s departure, Wendy, now elderly, leaves to ultimately go to Neverland where she plays the character Maggie Smith. Later, Peter Banning, who is now an adult and goes by the name Peter Pan, returns to Neverland after decades, focusing on his encounters with Hook.

She got a SAG card. She got a SAG card because of it. “Do you want to make a movie?” I turned around and said. Suddenly, I clicked and looked at her face. She was really frightened by this and I was looking at her in the rearview mirror. The next day, I was going back to work and we were driving back from the movie theater. When it came out first, I had taken Gwynnie to see The Silence of the Lambs and her dad, Bruce,” said Spielberg, “Spielberg told Entertainment Weekly in 2011, “Gwyneth is my goddaughter.”

Steven Spielberg never helmed another film featuring Gwyneth Paltrow

According to IMDb, Hook was Gwyneth Paltrow’s third acting credit and her only major profile, even though she might have found an excuse to work together again with Spielberg and imagines a personal relationship with him. Curiously, Spielberg never reteamed with her, but she certainly turned into an acclaimed actor in her own right, despite the poor reception of most of the director’s movies.