Say Goodbye to Spider-Man 4...

[henzINNIT]

... and Hello to a Spider-man Reboot.

"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."




*sigh*

[Wyndam]

I echo that *sigh* and raise you a "Ridiculous." I'm happy that Raimi walked away this time instead of allowing the studio to rush him like they did with Spider-Man 3, but the studio should have let him do his thing in the first place. Rebooting one of the most successful (financially and critically) Super Hero franchises in history is just about the worst idea I have heard in a while. I won't be seeing it.

[hitnrun017]

One of the dumbest studio moves in a long time. The first two movies are incredible, and sure Spider-Man 3 was mostly a stinker. I think I remember Raimi saying he wasn't happy with it, and wanted to improve/go out with a bang with the fourth movie. The studio couldn't wait another year? Regardless, it would've been a massive money maker. They just dug their own graves with this idea. It could pay off, but I just don't see how.

[Hellbound Hyperion]

Bye Raimi. Don't let the Vulture hit you on the way out.

Now let's do Venom right this time?

[Angel Beast]

Amy Adams for Mary Jane!

I'm saddened that they'll be no more Bruce Campbell cameos

[jellymoff]

I think Amy Adams is too old to play a teenage MJ....

I don't necessarily have a problem with the reboot, but I think they should wait another few years to give some space in between the two series. It

The first 2 were great, the 3rd was a disappointment. While I really like Raimi, I don't have a particular affinity for Tobey or Dunst, so I won't miss them too much as long as the new cast is strong.

[Angel Beast]

They don't have to have the characters in High school. They should go the Incredible Hulk route and have the next Spider-Man movie be a sequel just with a new cast.

[jellymoff]

Jan 12, 2010 21:41:40 GMT -5 Angel Beast said:

They don't have to have the characters in High school. They should go the Incredible Hulk route and have the next Spider-Man movie be a sequel just with a new cast.

The article states that the reboot will take Spidey back to hiigh school, so it looks like that is the direction they are going.

[Angel Beast]

Jan 12, 2010 21:57:55 GMT -5 jellymoff said:

Jan 12, 2010 21:41:40 GMT -5 Angel Beast said:

They don't have to have the characters in High school. They should go the Incredible Hulk route and have the next Spider-Man movie be a sequel just with a new cast.

The article states that the reboot will take Spidey back to hiigh school, so it looks like that is the direction they are going.

Lame. Still I never believed Tobey McGuire or James Franco as high school kids.

[harmindervamp]

The incredible hulk 2008 is not a sequel to the Hulk.

[Angel Beast]

Technically no Incredible Hulk is not a sequel, but there are many people that do consider it a sequel to the 2003 Hulk movie

[harmindervamp]

I know, however on IMDB they call it the hulk 2 for also known as. I just can't believe there will be no spiderman 4, I hope they won't go back and show the Green Goblin all over again, give some other characters a chance. Plus at one stage I heard that they were going to make another Hulk movie from the start again, lol, how stupid would that be?

[Eric]

I don't really mind the reboot. Usually I think it's pretty stupid to reboots franchises that are still alive and kicking (regardless of how much anyone may have disliked Spidey 3, it was a financial success released just a few years ago), but I had too many problems with the series to think badly of the opportunity for them to go back and fix them. I mean overall the first two were good, but I thought they pulled them out of high school too quickly and they didn't introduce Gwen Stacey until the third. I was looking forward to The Lizard in 4, but instead they were planning Anne Hathaway as "the Vultress". Oh, well. Maybe he'll be in the reboot. Hopefully they go the Batman Begins route and introduce a villain new to the movies rather than use villains we've seen enough of.

Sorry to all those people sad about the loss of Spidey 4, I don't intend to offend, but I don't share your feelings.

[jellymoff]

No, no, no, no!!!! Not him!!!

www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/news/daily-gossip/100114-robert-pattinson-for-spiderman.aspx

[henzINNIT]

Oh my god! hahahaha There's been jokes online for days but seriously?

[Hellbound Hyperion]

I will protest if Edward Cullen gets the role of Peter Parker.

[henzINNIT]

I would love it to happen. Gives me all the reasons I need to boycott the film entirely.

*2000 posts woop*

[Paul]

Thank god this series is getting rebooted. The films themselves have been okay, but I just couldn't stomach another two hours of Tobey Maquire's monotonous drivel. Note to casting director: Spider-Man is supposed to be FUNNY. His voice should not make me want to kill myself.

As for those upset about the reboot... three decent films (3 is underrated) is a pretty solid run for a film series. Leave it as a nice trilogy and give someone else a shot.

Requests for new Spidey film:

• Make Spider-Man funny.
  
• Cast someone who's vaguely attractive as Peter (yes I'm superficial).
  
• Give MJ a personality. She's supposed to be a fun party girl, not a ginger version of Gwen.
  
• Base the Green Goblin on his Ultimate version; a Hulk-like genetic mutation, not a grown man in a plastic Halloween costume.
  
• Make Aunt May strong, middle-aged and fiesty like her Ultimate version, rather than a helpless old biddy spewing insipid life lessons.
  
• Less of the boring Peter/Harry relationship. It was dull in the comics, it was duller in the films. Give Peter more than two friends; Liz, Flash, Kong, etc.
  
• Cameos! Characters like Rhino, Electro, Scorpion, Shocker etc can't hold their own film, but it'd be fun to see Spidey fighting more than generic muggers and bank robbers.
  
• A half-decent script. More zingy dialogue, less scenes of Peter and MJ staring blankly at each other over trash cans for 10 minutes.
  

I've probably forgotten some, but those are the main things...

[Midnight Butterfly]

Hey, I really liked Aunt May in the films.

Anyway, kinda liked the old cast. But I'm sure a new cast could do a better job, if the get the right cast that is.

[Angel Beast]

www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20336967,00.html

Here's Entertainment Weekly's top 19 choices to play Peter Parker in the new Spider-man movie. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing either Justin Long or David Henrie play Peter Parker.