Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker in SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007)
© Columbia Pictures

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Top Maniacal Rumors: Spidey Confusion, Mandrake Mistakes & Office Robots

It’s time for another edition of Mania’s Most Maniacal Rumors, where we blow the lid off the week’s juiciest gossip and hush-hush industry whispers, despite the fact that this week was shortened by the Memorial Day Holidays.

If you have a rumor you want to contribute, we’re all ears. Just send it to jarrod@mania.com.

Patrick Fugit or Michael Angarano the Next Spider-Man?

Kurt Russell and Michael Angarano in SKY HIGH (2005)

© Walt Disney Pictures

Rumor: As you’ve seen from our report here, a new rumor popped up this week that somewhere over at Sony, actors Patrick Fugit (Almost Famous, Wristcutters) and Michael Angarano (Sky High) were in line to replace Tobey Maguire as the new Peter Parker.

Source: Latino Review

Mania Verdict: FALSE—Sony officials quickly responded to this widespread rumor in saying that “there is no truth to replacing Tobey Maguire in the role of Spider-man”.

No More Rated R Films for Marvel Studios?

Ray Stevenson as Frank Castle in PUNISHER:WAR ZONE(2008).

© Lionsgate

Rumor: Marvel’s Peter Cuneo lit some fires on this holiday shortened news week by saying that they will not be creating Rated R films in-house at the Marvel production offices.

Source: IESB

Mania Verdict: TRUE—But it should be noted before people ask about the Blade and Punisher franchise ratings that Cuneo also says that Rated-R films are possible if they split distribution with an outside studio.

"…today, it would be very hard for us to partner with another studio, unless it was an R-rated film, and then I think that's pretty self-obvious because we are not interested in making R-rated films [at Marvel Studios]."

The Office’s Rainn Wilson Appearing in Transformers 2?

Rumor: Rainn Wilson—who plays Dwight on NBC’s The Office—talked to MTV while promoting The Rocker and mentioned that he would be playing a university professor in Shia LaBeouf’s college scenes.

Source: MTV

Mania Verdict: TRUE—His role was confirmed the following morning. Other confirmed returning stars are Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro.

Mandrake Comic Production Shut Down because of China Olympics?

Rumor: The adaptation of Lee Falk’s 1930’s serial comic series Mandrake the Magician has been in development hell for some years. The latest rumors have the film stalling because of the Olympic games to be held in China.

Source: SHH

Mania Verdict: TRUE---UFC Randy Couture talked a bit about his role in the film and confirmed that most of the film is to be filmed in China so they’re waiting for the games to end. The Tudors’ Jonathan Rhys Meyers is set to star.

Robert Rodriguez Leading Rose McGowan in Female Prison Exploitation TV series?

Rose McGowan shooting chaos & destruction into PLANET TERROR(2007).

© Dimension Films

Rumor: As the Holiday weekend came to a close, rumors were about that director Robert Rodriguez was showing a new spec for a television series called “Woman in Chains!”, which would be a violent drama based around a women prison. The reports were also that Rodriguez wanted his girlfriend Rose McGowan to play one of the roles.

Source: Various

Mania Verdict: TRUE---The rumors were later confirmed by the trades and the spec has been passed around Hollywood circles, including NBC and ABC. Mania doesn’t see a big 3 network picking up something like this but there’s always cable programming.

Harry Potter Prequel by Rowling Hits This Summer?

Author J.K Rowling reading Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince at a read-in on its premiere night.

Rumor: Another wild rumor popped up author J.K Rowling was selling a prequel to her iconic 7-book Harry Potter series at a charity auction on June 10.

Source: Various

Mania Verdict: TRUE---But before people get excited, it should be pointed out that this prequel is actually only 800 words and it will be sold on 13 cards---slightly bigger than a postcard--- at a charity auction in London this June. Rowling used both sides of her card to hand-write a prequel to her seven-book Harry Potter saga.