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This does not bode well.
Former Variety ace Michael Fleming, now reporting for Nikki Finke's Deadline.com as of today, starts his run off with a bang reporting a huge scoop: Sam Raimi has ditched 'Spider-Man 4'.
As fans have been aware (since IESB.net first reported back back in December), development of the forth web-slinger pic has been delayed due to creative differences between Raimi and Sony. The news solidified last week when Deadline was able to confirm reports with both on and off-record sources. However, the story at that point was that they were re-working the script with Alvin Sargent.
Now Deadline is reporting that, as of today, Raimi has walked, saying there wasn't enough time to do the movie right under the current release date constraints. Sony, who had been developing a two-part follow up with James Vanderbilt, which was slated to fall as parts 5 and 6 in the series, is opting to reboot, rather than continue to develop part 4.
This also means that the cast from the previous trilogy, including Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, will not return.
Insiders are playing it as Raimi's decision. Maguire was reportedly apprised of the situation and was not upset. He was in it for Raimi but doesn't feel the need to continue without him.
UPDATED: Sony has issued a press release announcing the new direction for the SPIDER-MAN Franchise:
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.
What do you think, Maniacs? Is this good news or bad for the SPIDER-MAN franchise? Post your comments below...
whoa, well, never say never in this business...maybe its time for a new trilogy with a new set of actors and a new vibe
Holy Feces On A Stick!!! Didn't see that coming!
I guess all you guess who hated Raimi's version are getting your wish. Now you better pin hopes that they can find a good, no Great director who loves and adores the property just as much, who can do this script some justice in the time alloted.
Though I loved Raimi's Spider-Man (SM3, too. Yeah, I said it!), I wouldn't mind seeing a SM who cracks the wisecracks throughout a fight.
This time around, I hope the writer has actually READ some of the comics. The first was okay. The second was LAME. The third was just complete TRASH. Doc Oc? That was not the the Doc Oc I know from the comics. AND NO WHERE ever did the Sandman have daughter and the rest of that BS that was his story. I hope they do it justice this go around.
i just don't want to see the origin story again...so soon. I want a story that really develops a villian and has great fights. Venom was never developed and was just a pretty flash for the audience. i loved the idea of gerard butler playing kraven hunting down the lizard and spider man thrown in the middle.
now we're going to see zac efron in high school...or some unknown going through a story 90% of viewers already know
Wow, wtf? A reboot? That's just going to confuse the hell out of the movie going public. And for good reason. It doesn't make sense.
Actually Sandman does have a daughter in the comics. Read the current gauntlet issues of the Spiderman Comics.
I think Marvel/Disney is going to have a great chance at getting the rights back with the suit against the Kirbys estate. If they infact win that law suit the rights would (should) revert back to Marvel, effectivley pulling it from Sony. Then very soon after that fanboys (and girls) i beleive we will finally get the XMEN, Spiderman, and Fantastic 4 movies we all have been waiting for!!
Disney and Marvel have nothing to do with it.
It is all Sony Pictures, they have the film rights.
I think it is way too soon for PP to go back to high school.
I agree with MF & AK, this is messed up!
WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! That is some real bullshit. But seriously, this was long coming. Now that Disney and Marvel are married, expect them to try and get James Cameron to do it with Jake Gyllenhaal or Sam Worthington (oh the horrah!). Oh boy oh boy!