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SPIDEY 4 No More, Reboot Coming in 2012
After rumors that included Anne Hathaway as the Black Cat and John Malkovich as the Vulture (which was actually ‘confirmed’ earlier today), Sony Pictures has officially announced that all work on Spider-Man 4 has been scrapped.
Further more, Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire have been dropped from the project, ditto Kirsten Dunst, and Sony is now fast tracking a relaunch of the Spider-Man franchise to hit theaters in 2012.
This is a major surprise announcement, especially considering the film was to begin shooting later this year, but given the rumors surrounding the project, I can’t say I’m completely shocked. Word was Raimi was once again battling Sony over control of the picture (he wanted the Vulture, they didn’t), and as history shows, making Raimi do something he has no interest in makes for a bad film. In case you don’t know what I’m referencing - Raimi was “asked” to add Venom to the 3rd Spider-Man film. You can do the rest of the math here.
Honestly though, I’m quite excited for this reboot. Fans everywhere are starting to worry about the “high school” part of the plan, as mentioned in the press release (full text of which is after the cut), but I truly doubt that they’re going to Twilight up the Spider-Man franchise. Sony is too smart for that.
After Spider-Man 3’s critical (but not financial) failure, I’ve mentioned to darn near anyone who would listen to me (good thing I have a blog now, eh?) that what the franchise truly needed was a James Bond-esq refreshing. Tobey & Kirsten looked bored as hell to be playing Spidey and MJ, and honestly, if Raimi felt so embattled against Sony Pictures, it’s best for all parties if he does leave.
Sure, not every reboot is successful, but I hold out that we could see a JJ Abrams-Trek/Nolan Batman style refresh of the Spider-Man film series that’s better for everyone. And if they go high school? They only need to look at Brian Michael Bendis' amazing run on Ultimate Spider-Man to find stories to pilfer from.
So who do I think should fill in the tights? Of today’s Hollywood, Anton Yelchin, Joseph-Gordon Levitt, James McAvoy and Jake Gyllenhaal come to mind, but honestly - I want a left field selection. Maybe even Jesse Eisenberg?
Any way you cut it, this could be a very exciting new lease for the Spider-Man movie franchise. Strap in and get ready - it’s going to get interesting.
Here’s the full Press Release: Culver City, CA (January 11, 2010) – 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.”
The studio will have more news about Spider-Man in 2012 in the coming weeks as it prepares for production of the film.
Monday January 11, 2010