SPIDER-MAN 4 dead, long live the reboot!

From ComingSoon.net:

"Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012.

Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4 was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

'A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We're very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,' said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

'Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. 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,' said Sam Raimi.

'We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade. 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,' said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio's chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. 'Now everything begins anew, and that's got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can't wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.'

'Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously,' said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. 'We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen.'"

THIS IS NONSENSE!! WHY IN THE WORLD IS SONY THROWING AWAY A MONEY PIT LIKE THE SAM RAIMI SPIDER-MAN SERIES!!!



"Don't let yourself go/'Cause everybody cries/And everybody hurts sometimes..." - R.E.M.

May 2011 a Mess

From ComingSoon.net:

"Variety has confirmed reports that Sony Pictures has indeed postponed production on Spider-Man 4 so that more work can be done on the script.

Gary Ross, David Lindsay-Abaire and James Vanderbilt previously wrote drafts of the screenplay, and the trade says that Alvin Sargent is now 'retooling the story'. Sargent worked on the scripts for both the second and third Spidey movies.

Back in December, SuperHeroHype was told by the studio that the production was not on hold but that they were simply on hiatus for the holidays and that production would resume in the new year. Obviously, that is not the case.

Sony still has the movie scheduled for a May 5, 2011 release (not May 6 or May 11 as some sites are reporting), but Variety adds 'that date has become highly unlikely.'

'We'll try, but I think making May is a real question,' a source told the trade. 'We will not start until we have it right. The feeling is we are not going to rush it to make the date.'"

Because of that, May got rescheduled!

From ComingSoon.net:

"With yesterday's announcement that Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4 will not start production in time for its planned May 5, 2011 release, other studios are looking to grab some of those dates for their own tentpoles. Making that rumored delay official is the news that Marvel Studios and Paramount will be releasing Kenneth Branagh's Thor on Spider-Man's original release weekend, kicking off the summer on May 6, two weeks earlier than its original release plan.

With Thor moved up two weeks, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer Films' Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides grabbed its now-vacated date of May 20 for its own release one week before Memorial Day and the release of Todd Phillips' The Hangover 2.

According to Variety, Sony hasn't abandoned the date yet and still hopes to get Spider-Man 4 done in time, but Paramount has decided to not wait to see what Sony does before grabbing that date themselves. They suggest that if Sony decides to keep that date then Thor will move again, although it's doubtful they can get May 20 back again.

At this point, Sony hasn't announced a new release date for Spider-Man 4. July 4th that year has been held for Michael Bay's Transformers III followed two weeks later by the Harry Potter finale and then The First Avenger: Captain America, which hasn't even announced its cast yet, the following week. (Warner Bros.' Green Lantern has already grabbed June 17, potentially making it one of the busiest summers for comic book and superhero movies in some time.)

Black Cat in SPIDER-MAN 4?

From ComingSoon.net:

"Early last month, director Sam Raimi said that they were about to start casting for Spider-Man 4, but we have yet to hear any official announcements of new talent coming on board. We knew Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst were going to be back, and since then, Dylan Baker revealed that he'll return as Dr. Curt Connors.

Now, according to Mania, actresses are auditioning for the role of villain Felicia Hardy/Black Cat, and the site says that Rachel McAdams (upcoming Sherlock Holmes) is a frontrunner for the role. Mania adds that they are also casting for a male villain, which would mean we're looking at two villains for the fourth installment. None of this is confirmed, of course.

In the meantime, fans pointed us to The Observer where actress Romola Garai (Atonement) has a column in which she wrote the following:

''Love is at the root of everything good that has ever happened and will happen.' This phrase swam into focus as I moved up the escalator at Oxford Circus tube on Tuesday morning on my way to put myself 'on tape' for a part in Spider-Man 4. This is the acting equivalent of the London Marathon in that it's important to try your best as long as you understand that you aren't going to win.'

Might she also be going for the Felicia Hardy role? We won't know for sure until we start hearing official casting news from Sony.

Spider-Man 4 is coming to theaters on May 5, 2011."

Personally I think the Prowler should be in the movie.

The Lizard in SPIDER-MAN 4?

From ComingSoon.net:

"UGO reports that Dylan Baker confirmed last night at a Trick 'r Treat screening in New York that he'll be back as Dr. Curt Connors in director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4.

There's been a lot of speculation that Connors will finally become The Lizard in the fourth installment, but Baker said that he had just gotten his first call about the film that very day.

The site says that Trick 'r Treat director Michael Dougherty ribbed him about 'just appearing in the background,' and Baker said that's what he'd be doing. It is, of course, unknown if Baker can say anything at this point, so it might be too early to take that as a fact.

Columbia Pictures is planning a May 5, 2011 release in conventional and IMAX theaters."

SPIDER-MAN 4 gets back to basics!

From ComingSoon.net:

"Director Sam Raimi was interviewed... and was asked about Spider-Man 4.

Asked about complaints that there were too many villains in Spider-Man 3, he said: 'I think having so many villains detracted from the experience. I would agree with the criticism.'

Raimi added that he had learned some new lessons and storytelling tricks from his last film, Drag Me to Hell. 'I think I've learned about the importance of getting to the point and the importance of having limitations, and I'm hoping to take that into a production where I'm actually allowed to explore with more of the tools to pull it off with a little more splendor.'

'I hope I don't lose that edge that I've just found. That would be my approach to Spider-Man 4: to get back to the basics.'"

Just put in a final web-swing at the end of the movie and no more massive amounts of down-in-the-dumps behavior (It's a superhero movie, you're allowed to have fun! Unless it's Watchmen). Also throw in a spider-sense sequence (the coolest one was in Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2 had one in the 'catching the train' scene but Spider-Man 3 had none!!)

Updates on SPIDER-MAN 4

From ComingSoon.net:

"MTV talked to director Sam Raimi, who says he's hoping to start shooting Spider-Man 4 the first week of March 2010 for a May 5, 2011 release.

Raimi added that Gary Ross is doing a rewrite of the script using notes Raimi gave him, a production designer has started designing the sets and environments, and Scott Stokdyk is back on board on his fourth Spidey film as visual effects supervisor.

Raimi said that no casting has taken place--other than Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst--but that they are starting to think about that now."

What about J.K. Simmons and Bruce Campbell who say they're coming back?

SPIDER-MAN 4 to swing into IMAX

From ComingSoon.net:

"IMAX Corporation and Columbia Pictures today announced that the highly-anticipated action-adventure Spider-Man 4, will be released to IMAX(R) theatres simultaneously with the film's worldwide release on May 5, 2011. The fourth installment of the successful Spider-Man franchise, based on the Marvel Comicbook character, will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The film will be distributed by Columbia Pictures domestically and by Sony Pictures Releasing International overseas.

To date, the Spider-Man motion pictures have generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

'The last two Spider-Man releases have been available in IMAX theaters, and we're very much looking forward to our return to a wider IMAX theatre network with this exciting new chapter in the continuing adventures of Spider-Man,' said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing. 'The addition of so many new IMAX locations will give even more fans of Spider-Man an opportunity to experience the action and adventure in a unique way.'

'Spider-Man continues to be one of the world's most popular motion picture franchises, and we are very excited to include the latest chapter as part of our 2011 slate,' said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. 'Our network has grown significantly and we continue to roll-out new theatres virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in IMAX.'

'We're so excited to once again work with our friends at Columbia Pictures, Sony and Marvel to bring this beloved superhero back to IMAX theatres,' said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. 'The Spider-Man franchise has been so important to the growth of our network and fan base over the years and we're certainly looking forward to re-teaming with the entire cast and production team to bring this next chapter to moviegoers worldwide.'

Spider-Man 4 will reunite director Sam Raimi with stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. The screenplay is currently being adapted by Gary Ross. Producers are Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, Todd Black and Grant Curtis. Executive producers are Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell and Josh Donen.

The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie."

Cool!! Although I need to find a better IMAX theatre than the "educational" Pink Palace one in Memphis. The closest ones are in Chattanooga and Knoxville. I'm probably gonna pick Knoxville for next year in college for I'm seeing this one and Tron Legacy.

Bruce Campbell is back in SPIDER-MAN 4

From ComingSoon.net:

"At the premiere for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs on Saturday, Bruce Campbell told Access Hollywood that Spider-Man 4 will start in January 2010 and that he'll have a larger part:

'The actor, who has a long relationship with director Sam Raimi via his lead role in the Evil trilogy, made memorable cameos in the first three Spider-Man films.

However, he may have a bigger role this time around. Bruce told Access that in the next installment in the superhero franchise, he’s been told he has a major part – but didn’t yet know anything about his character.'

Columbia Pictures has scheduled the fourth installment for a May 6, 2011 release."

Like you can't make a Pirates of the Caribbean movie without Johnny Depp, you can't make a Spider-Man movie without Bruce Campbell. "Groovy."

Maybe he's playing Mysterio?

What tangled webs these writers weave...

From ComingSoon.net:

"Sony Pictures has engaged screenwriter James Vanderbilt to write Spider-Man 5 and Spider-Man 6.

Production on Spider-Man 4 will begin early next year for a May 6, 2011 release. Vanderbilt wrote the first draft of the script for the fourth installment. David Lindsay-Abaire was brought on board to do a rewrite, and Gary Ross is now rewriting that script.

Director Sam Raimi didn't embrace all of Vanderbilt's ideas, but executives at Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios have. Vanderbilt has been hired to pen the fifth and sixth movies, which have an interconnected storyline.

It's unclear whether Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will be back for #5 & 6, but if they aren't, Vanderbilt's script would be the blueprint for a franchise reboot."

Well, I'm excited to hear about more Spider-Man movies but I'm not excited that Sam Raimi s Vanderbilt's scripts. Everybody d Spider-Man 3 but me so I'm really looking forward to any more of Spidey's adventures

Kirsten Dunst returns to SPIDER-MAN 4

From ComingSoon.net:

"Everyone's getting in on the action trying to guess what to expect from Sam Raimi's return to the Marvel superhero franchise with Spider-Man 4, slated for release on May 6, 2011. It's obviously still very early in development, but that didn't stop the New York Post from asking Sony producer Todd Black a few questions in order to clear up some of the rumors that have been circulating.

In the article, Black confirms that Kirsten Dunst is definitely on board, but that there are no plans to have a wedding between Peter Parker and Mary Jane in the forthcoming movie. He also squashed the rumors that Morbius the Living Vampire will be the villain in the movie, but that the villain will be very New York centric.

This is what he told the Post about the potential villain: 'We're just coming up with who the villain's going to be now. We'll be shooting in New York again. Trust me, people will appreciate who we pick, because it'll be a big part of New York.'"

I'm not saying she wasn't good in Spider-Man 3 but she wasn't as good as she was in Spider-Man 2.

Sam Raimi wants one more chance with SPIDER-MAN 4

From WorstPreviews:

"Cinematical got to chat with director Sam Raimi about the upcoming Spider-Man 4 and how it will be different from the third movie. 'I've learned a lot of lessons about what people didn't like and missteps that I'd made,' he explained. 'I made a lot of mistakes, and it's part of the reason I so want to make this next story of Peter Parker. I really think I know in my heart who the character is. I would like one more chance at it [that character].' He continued: 'I really do look at them as things that I’ve learned, and hope that when I apply what I've learned to this next one, I really make a film that people enjoy and is really true to the character in a fresh, original way. That's my goal.'

Raimi also revealed to MTV News that he has spoken to Kirsten Dunst and she is interested in returning. But before he brings her on, he will need to read the script that will be ready in four weeks. Raimi mentioned that he constantly thinks about each movie he has previously made and would love the chance to do them over with the same story and characters.'"

I don't know why people give Spider-Man 3 a lot of flack (with the exception of Sandman living through the end of the movie; what is up with that? Doc Ock died a hero; Green Goblin... well, Norman was still crazy but he said, "Don't tell Harry".) That was the first movie I've ever seen on opening day.

Sam Raimi talks SPIDER-MAN 4 - again.

From ComingSoon.net:

"SCI FI Wire chatted with Spider-Man 4 director Sam Raimi, who said that he's meeting soon with Kirsten Dunst to talk about her reprising the role of Mary Jane Watson. 'I think she would like to. But I don't want to speak on behalf of her,' he said.

He was also asked if the recent darker and edgier superhero movies will influence the fourth installment. 'I hope we don't react to these very good and sometimes bad superhero movies around us. I hope that we just [look] ever deeper into the truth of who Peter Parker really is—as a human being and the unique character, and that we celebrate that, which is a lot of the reason I want to make this next picture. I still believe I have an understanding of Peter Parker as the character that I have not quite put onto the screen yet,' he said."

I just wanna hear her say the full line, "Face it, Tiger. You just hit the jackpot."

UPDATE:

This just came across the wire.

From ComingSoon.net:

"Forbes talked to Sony Pictures Entertainment's co-chairmen Amy Pascal and Michael Lynton and asked whether they were considering doing Spider-Man 4 in 3-D. Pascal answered, 'Could be,' while Lynton added, 'People are paying a premium to see movies in 3-D and that's a very big deal. It's never been done before that someone says you have to pay more to see Spider-Man than a romantic comedy.' 2-D or 3-D, we'll be seeing Sam Raimi's fourth installment on May 6, 2011."

Huh. I would like to see a 3D superhero movie.

Sony and Marvel Studios Set New Release Dates!

From ComingSoon.net:

"Paving the way for the production and release of its multi-character superhero film, The Avengers, Marvel Entertainment, Inc. announced today an adjusted release pipeline for its self-produced feature film properties that reflects the first time individual Super Hero characters and story arcs will be inter-woven and culminate in a multi-character motion picture. Separately, Marvel Studios confirmed today that Sony Pictures Entertainment will release Spider-Man 4 on May 6, 2011. Additionally, Marvel Studios has revised the release dates for Thor and The First Avenger: Captain America as part of its release strategy for an uninterrupted road to The Avengers, now debuting May 4, 2012.

A Marvel character-based film will now launch the summer box office season for three years in a row, from 2010 through 2012.

'This new schedule strongly sequences Marvel's movie debut dates, big screen character introductions and momentum. It maximizes the visibility of our single character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multi-character 'The Avengers' film in 2012,' said David Maisel, Chairman, Marvel Studios.

Sony Pictures' and Marvel Studios' Spider-Man 4 is slated for May 6, 2011. To date, all three motion pictures in the phenomenally successful 'Spider-Man' franchise have generated nearly $2.5 billion worldwide theatrically.

Below is Marvel Studios' 2010-2012 updated release schedule for its slate of self-produced and financed feature films:

Marvel Studios Feature Film Pipeline
Film/Character - Prior Release Date - Current Release Date

Iron Man II - May 7, 2010 - May 7, 2010
Thor - July 16, 2010 - June 17, 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America - May 6, 2011 - July 22, 2011
The Avengers - July 15, 2011 - May 4, 2012

The release date for Iron Man II remains unchanged on May 7, 2010. Iron Man II is the sequel to the blockbuster film, Iron Man, which has grossed nearly $600 million worldwide."

2012?! 2012?! Are they serious?! We'll all be in 2012! I still believe we'll reach 2015 so I can get my hoverboard ;)

Sam Raimi talks SPIDER-MAN 4

Both MTV and IGN talked to director Sam Raimi on Sunday about SPIDER-MAN 4, which just received a release date of May 6, 2011 last week.

Raimi says that he and the production team are 'in the earliest stages of working with the writer, trying to work out a story.' He added that they are just working on the fourth installment and not also a fifth film. Previous reports had claimed that Sony Pictures would be making the fourth and fifth movies at the same time, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

The helmer said that they are closing in on Spider-Man's adversary or adversaries for the fourth pic. 'All the characters or villains or villains, whatever we decide to do will be from Stan Lee's creations or those that came after him,' he said.

And will Kirsten Dunst return as Mary Jane Watson? If it was up to Raimi, definitely: 'I’m hoping she'll be in it and I'm planning on having a story with her in it... It wouldn't be the Spider-Man series without her.'

J.K. Simmons returns to SPIDER-MAN 4

From ComingSoon.net:

"Although it's not really news that Spider-Man 4 will start shooting in 2010 as this report at MTV highlights (director Sam Raimi himself said previously that filming would start by March of 2010), it is good to hear that J.K. Simmons will be returning:
The fourth film in the blockbuster 'Spider-Man' franchise will begin shooting in 2010, actor J.K. Simmons told MTV News at Sundance, revealing that he'll continue in the role of Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. 'I saw Sam [Raimi] at his Christmas party.'
The fourth installment is expected to hit theaters in May of 2011. In October of '08, it was announced that playwright David Lindsay-Abaire (upcoming Inkheart) would write the script. James Vanderbilt wrote an earlier draft."

This is great news! I can't wait to hear, "PARKER! GET IN HERE!" on May 2011.

P.S.: I think it's noteworthy to add that Tobey Maguire has also signed up for a Spider-Man 5. What could happen?