Sony overhauls 'Spider-Man' sequel; Raimi, Maguire out

[¹²³]

A few days after Sony Pictures said it was postponing production on "Spider-Man 4" because of creative concerns, the studio on Monday said it was sending the entire franchise in for a major overhaul without star Tobey Maguire or director Sam Raimi involved.

Sony said the next Peter Parker film will also be released a year later than originally scheduled, with the fourth installment in its blockbuster franchise (worldwide gross to date: nearly $2.5 billion) now set to premiere in the summer of 2012.

In a back story twist reminiscent of the evolution of "Superman" into "Smallville," the studio said in a statement that the new web-slinger film will focus "on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises." The movie is being written by James Vanderbilt, whose credits include "Zodiac" and "The Rundown." The new film, which does not yet have an announced star or director, will be produced by "Spider-Man" veterans Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad of Marvel Studios.

"This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else's hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said in a statement.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi said in a statement. "While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job."

Added Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment: "We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots."

The last "Spider-Man" movie was released in May 2007. It's not the only setback for the arachnid crime-fighter. A "Spider-Man" Broadway musical (in which Sony is an investor) has been delayed by creative and financial problems, and with a budget in excess of $50 million is the most expensive musical in theater history.

--John Horn

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[Mamba]

Sony will fuck it up, just like they did the third one. Raimi was not allowed to do much of anything that he wanted because the studio wanted to rush the product out. That was the problem Raimi had with this one, too. They wanted him to rush it but he didn't want to do it because he didn't like the script and had his own ideas. I feel for him, but I'm glad he got out of making the 4th one.

Who do you guys think are good candidates for Peter Parker?

 

[speeds]

Can't see the fourth doing well without Maguire. Not a fan of the series, though.

 

[Mamba]

I liked the first two, the 3rd was just horrible, though.

Yeah Maguire made Peter Parker. I don't think there is anyone out there that is nerdy enough, but can be cool enough to pull it off.

 

[BasX]

Joseph Gordon Levitt?

 

[speeds]

Joseph Gordon Levitt?

After Killshot I never want to see JGL in anything again.

 

[BasX]

lolz, i took a shot

 

[Chocolove]

ewww, new teenage direction? does this have anything to do with Disney buying Marvel? They'll probably make Zac Efron Peter Parker or maybe....Shia Lebouf.

 

[BasX]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

 

[speeds]

Shia Lebouf is to acting what diet caffine free Coke is to junk food.

 

[Mamba]

Shia won't leave Transformers.

They are taking Spiderman back to HS. How fucking retarded.

Zac Effron for the win!

 

[¹²³]

 

[drexlersdad]

lame-0

 

[speeds]

And it will still make $250-million...

 

[¹²³]

Will Robert Pattinson Play Spider-Man?

As Edward Cullen, Robert Pattinson tried to resist the urge to bed Bella Swan.

As one of the most sought after young actors in Hollywood, though, will Pattinson be able to resist the calling of another major movie franchise?

Following the news that Spider-Man 4 will reboot the series - doing away with Tobey Maguire as the lead and focusing on Peter Parker as a high school student - one question has been floating around Tinseltown:

Who will step into the costume of this webbed wonder?

Without quoting any sources or providing factual information of any kind, OK! Weekly claims Pattinson is a contender for the iconic role. Could this be true? Sure.

Could it also be another example of this tabloid making up a story about Robert in order to create buzz for itself? Most definitely.

Reportedly, Michael Cera and Chace Crawford are also being considered for the role of Peter Parker.

While Pattinson's schedule is jammed with movies - he starts shooting Bel Ami with Uma Thurman in February; and begins production on Breaking Dawn in 2010.

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[Mamba]

This is going to be horrible.

 

[¹²³]

This is going to be horrible.

And it will still make $250-million...

Yep.

 

[MikeDC]

Well that sucks

 

[NJNetz]

What a dumb move. I can't imagine anyone but Tobey playing Spidey.

This movie is going to fail badly.

Oh and if Edward ends up getting the Spiderman part....I'll stab someone.

 

[BasX]

Peter Parker Vampire

 

[Mamba]

Michael Cera as Peter Parker

 

[speeds]

Michael Cera as Peter Parker

Ha! Also the first guy that came to my mind.

I remember a lot of people had reservations about Maguire originally, too.

 

[Shapecity]

Michael Cera as Peter Parker

He'd be a good Spidey I think.

 

[Chocolove]

It would be interesting to see Cera as Spidey. He might be too awkward though, I wouldn't be able to take his dramatic scenes seriously.

 

[¹²³]

Marc Webb, director of '(500) Days,' will swing with Spider-Man

 

[NJNetz]

It's...going...to...suck.

Haha, Webb.

 

[Chocolove]

The 500 days of summer guy has a shot, he looks kinda too old for high school though if that's where they're taking it.

 

[Run BJM]

There's also the kid who was in Adventureland and Zombieland.

 

[BasX]

You will never be able to hear him [Cera] talk. When Cera's 50, he'll still sound 17.

 

[NJNetz]

Since we're throwing up names, how about Anton Yelchin?