-
The rumors and speculation can finally come to an end because Sony has officially announced that Andrew Garfield will play Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man in the upcoming Spider-Man reboot. On its Twitter page, Sony offered a simple, to-the-point announcement.
BREAKING NEWS: ANDREW GARFIELD CAST AS PETER PARKER IN NEXT SPIDER-MAN
so what put this relative-unknown at the top of Sony's list? >> Posted 07.01.10 by Ryan -
It's been four months since Sam Raimi's departure and the Spider-Man 4 reboot were announced, and fans are still hotly debating what this means for the series. Those months have also been filled with lots of conjecture and rumor about what Marc Webb would do with the origin story. We're now getting closer to finding out, with the announcement from THR that Alvin Sargent has been hired to rewrite the script started by Jamie Vanderbilt.
is this good news for the fans? >> Posted 05.17.10 by reelz -
Just a couple weeks after Sony announced that it was scrapping plans for Spider-Man 4, Logan Lerman, the young star of Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, created a firestorm of controversy when he announced that he was in talks with Sony to take over the role of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, from Tobey Maguire. The story was quickly debunked and Lerman backpedaled on his announcement the very next day. Now, Lerman's name is being thrown around again, with one web-site calling him the "frontrunner" for the role and another claiming that he is "100% not" getting the role.
Is Logan Lerman Spider-Man or not? >> Posted 04.13.10 by BrentJS -
Spider-Man 4 director Marc Webb has finally begun casting for the highly anticipated Spidey reboot, today confirming to ReelzChannel that one-time star and tabloid sensation Lindsay Lohan has been chosen to replace Kirsten Dunst as Peter Parker love interest Mary Jane Watson.
Webb explains why Lindsay >> Posted 04.01.10 by reelz -
Director Marc Webb [(500) Days of Summer] has been relatively quiet on the subject of landing the directing gig for the Spider-Man reboot. But when asked by MTV's Josh Horowitz why he was the right man for the job, Webb proudly waved his fan flag for the character.
I think that there's something about [Spider-Man's alter-ego] Peter Parker that's just, uh ... he's a legend and that mythology is appealing to me and has been for a long time and it's really just a dream come true.
Webb wouldn't comment on how his take on the character might differ from that of the director of the first three Spider-Man movies, Sam Raimi, but he had nothing but nice things to say about his predecessor.
[Sam Raimi] did something fantastic, but I do think the mythology of Spider-Man is wide and vast and I think there's more opportunity to explore that cinematically. Sam is not only a great guy, but a fantastic director and, you know, it's a humbling prospect. But, I'm looking forward to it.
Webb was even more evasive about casting questions, saying simply, "We're casting a wide net." However, he did confirm that he had discussed shooting the as-yet-untitled Spider-Man reboot in 3-D with James Cameron's producing partner, Jon Landau.
I talked to Jon a little bit. I mean this is, it's such an enormous undertaking. I'd like to talk to those guys more. They're fantastic representatives for 3-D.
Posted 03.07.10 by BrentJS -
Even though director James Cameron said only a month ago that he would not direct the rebooted Spider-Man movie because it would be "a little bit sloppy seconds," apparently he is willing to discuss the movie with the director ultimately chosen for the job, Marc Webb. According to MTV, Cameron's producing partner, Jon Landau, confirmed that the two directors met and that the topic of discussion was shooting the Spider-Man reboot in 3-D, a technique Cameron mastered in directing Avatar.
Last [week] we met [with Webb. He] wants to do the next one in 3-D, which they've announced that they want to do. So, we want to try to support that as much as possible.
What's interesting about this meeting is less the fact that Webb sought out Cameron for his 3-D knowledge than that Cameron has long been associated with Spider-Man as a movie property. Cameron drafted a script for a big-screen Spider-Man adaptation for Carolco back in 1991, more than a decade before Sam Raimi's Spider-Man broke box-office records and helped to entrench superhero movies as a summer box-office staple. Cameron's plans were crushed beneath the weight of legal actions over character rights and contract disputes. Carolco and Marvel Comics both declared bankruptcy in 1996 and the rights to Spider-Man, including Carmeron's script, went to MGM, who later traded them to Columbia Pictures for the exclusive rights to 007.
In light of Cameron's history with Spider-Man, it's easier to understand the underlying bitterness in his "sloppy seconds" remark, but it only makes his decision to meet with Webb all the more surprising. But, Landau said that Cameron agreed to the meeting because he "loved" Webb's latest movie, (500) Days of Summer, and because of their shared belief that the right way to release a movie in 3-D is to shoot it in 3-D, rather than to have it converted to 3-D in post-production.
Other movies are turning to [3-D] now, some of which I agree with, some of which I don't agree with. Clash of The Titans is coming out in 3-D; they're converting it very hastily into 3-D. I'm not in favor if that. If you want to shoot a 3-D movie, shoot it in 3-D.
The currently untitled Spider-Man reboot is being written by James Vanderbilt and produced by Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin for Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios. Though no cast announcements have been made yet, Sony Pictures has already announced that the movie will be released in 3-D on July 3, 2012.
Posted 02.17.10 by BrentJS -
One of the theories behind Sam Raimi's departure from Spider-Man 4 was that the director wanted to bring more special effects (a la Avatar) to the movie and Sony didn't agree. But now that the studio is rebooting the franchise, Sony apparently is embracing the current 3-D craze. In a press release, Sony confirmed that the Spider-Man reboot will be in 3-D.
CULVER CITY, Calif., February 10, 2010 – Spider-Man will swing intotheaters worldwide in 3D beginning July 3, 2012, it was announced today by Jeff Blake, Chairman of Sony Pictures Worldwide Marketing & Distribution. The new film, which is still untitled, will begin production later this year directedby Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt. Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin will produce the film from Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Commenting on the announcement, Blake said, "Spider-Man is the ultimate summer movie-going experience, and we're thrilled the filmmakers are presenting the next installment in 3D. Spider-Man is one of the most popular characters in the world, and we know audiences are eager and excited to discover Marc's fantastic vision for Peter Parker and the franchise."
Posted 02.10.10 by Ryan -
After a week of rumors and speculations, Marvel Entertainment and Columbia Pictures have confirmed that (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb will indeed helm the Spider-Man reboot. A statement from the studios described the factors involved in choosing a new director.
The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker's life. We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter's shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety, and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man's adventure. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.
Previously forced to decline confirmation of this appointment, Webb was clearly excited to finally speak about the job.
This is a dream come true and I couldn't be more aware of the challenge, responsibility, or opportunity. Sam Raimi's virtuoso rendering of Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon. The first three films are beloved for good reason. But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well. I am signing on not to "take over" from Sam. That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant. I'm here because there's an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.
The hiring also had the approval of Spider-Man's creator, Stan Lee.
I'm excited that Sony has chosen a director with a real penchant and understanding for the character. This is a brave, bold direction for the franchise, and I can't wait to see what Marc comes up with next.
Sony hopes to go into production on the movie by the end of the year. James Vanderbilt wrote the script, which will place Peter Parker back in high school for a retelling of the character's origins.
Posted 01.20.10 by Ryan -
Spider-Man 4 speculation also has been swirling around regarding the replacement for Sam Raimi. Besides James Cameron (who clearly said no thanks), (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb has also been rumored for the job. And it's not just because his last name would be replete with irony. When interviewed at the Golden Globes by MTV, Webb admitted he's a fan of the webslinger.
Stan Lee, big fan ... love the Ultimate [Spider-Man] stuff. How could you not be a fan of Peter Parker and Spider-Man?
Of all the Spider-Man comics series to mention, Ultimate Spider-Man is a curious choice, considering the series concerned Parker's high school life in a what was a reboot of Parker's origin story.
With the dust settling from the Raimi and Sony divorce, questions remain over why Spider-Man 4 had to be canceled in the first place. Reports claim Raimi's recent fascination with the special effects of Avatar as a reason, since it would have added to the pre-production time on the project and Sony is desperate for the box-office hit that Spider-Man could provide, but there was also the fight over the script. According to NY Mag, Sony did not care for Raimi's Spider-Man 4 story, which centered on the aging villain The Vulture.
Peter Parker gets over MJ, finds a new girl, falls in love. But: Peter also discovers her father is actually the Vulture, a naughty green guy with wings to be played by John Malkovich. Peter is torn between the love of his new lady and taking down the Vulture. Being a Spandex tight-ass, he decides to take down the Vulture, and kills him. This patricide goes down poorly with Peter's new fiancée, and she rejects him. Despondent, Peter decides to abandon his superpowers, and Movie No. 4 ends with Peter Parker throwing away his Spider-Man mask, and audiences wondering if they are watching Superman II.
With so many rumors flying around, it's hard to know what to think. Perhaps, eventually, the truth will be revealed.
Posted 01.18.10 by Ryan -
Sony is on the hunt for a new Spider-Man director after scrapping their plans for Spider-Man 4 with a wish list that includes James Cameron amongs other highly acclaimed directors. Cameron, however, told MTV in no uncertain terms that he is not interested in the gig.
It's a little bit sloppy seconds, let's face it. I haven't gotten a phone call. I don't expect to — certainly [not] after this interview. But if you're thinking about it, it's sloppy seconds. I'm not interested.
(500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb is rumored to be on top of Sony's wish list.
Posted 01.16.10 by Ryan