January 13, 2010

So what exactly is up with Spider-Man?

Well, it seems that there now won't be a Spider-Man 4, and that the studio is rebooting the franchise. Here's a bit of what we know, from Deadline Hollywood (the whole article, and its updates, can be found here):

Mike Fleming and Nikki Finke have just confirmed that Sony Pictures decided today to reboot the Spider-Man franchise after franchise director Sam Raimi pulled out of Spider-Man 4 because he felt he couldn't make its summer release date and keep the film's creative integrity. This means that Raimi and the cast including star Tobey Maguire are out. There will be no Spider-Man 4. Instead, Mike Fleming is told, the studio will focus on a Summer 2012 reboot from a script by Jamie Vanderbilt with a new director and a new cast.

-Thoughts on the direction Spidey is headed?

20 comments:

  1. I would have posted this early in the week, but I wanted to wait for a lull in the precursors and for this to finalize a bit...

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  2. Good, this hopefully gives the cast (especially Maguire) time to work on more worthwhile projects. Especially since Tobey Maguire is at a key point in his career, getting his first Golden Globe nomination.

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  3. We certainly will find out now, it seems.

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  4. I'm fine with the reboot of the franchise, as Raimi and the studio have just been getting farther and farther apart on their ideas. Personally I would wait a little longer than 2012 though, give the public a little while to at least forget about the other 3 films.

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  5. Yes, it would be silly to do another origin story again so soon...

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  6. Well if it worked for Batman...It depends on the cast & crew who will make the next Spider-Man film. Looking forward to the re-launch. Spidey 2 was quite god and I hope the next film will be somewhat similar in style.

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  8. Wait, what? Was that a joke, or do you actually like "Spider-Man 3"?

    In my opinion, Raimi's interpretations of Spider-Man were always too corny. In fact, I think that the only good film of the bunch is the first film, although it's really not much to write home about.

    I think that the timing is just right. I mean, "Hulk" was rebooted just two years ago, five years after the previous film had come out -- and the 2008 film was great (I'm in the minority which believes "The Incredible Hulk" was better than "Iron Man").

    If they're shooting for a 2012 release, that's more than enough time for a new generation of the franchise. By the time that it comes out, teenagers who have never even heard of Tobey Maguire (and, in some ways, are better left without knowing) will be lining up to see whoever dons the suit next.

    I'm personally looking forward to this, especially with as talented a writer as Venable working on the script.

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  9. Woops, meant to say Vanderbilt.

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  10. Yes, it was a joke (and a typo, I meant 2)

    Also, you meant Vanderbilt, right?

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  11. I had meant to say that Batman is different, but if they can make something along the lines of Spidey 2, and avoid just rehashing Spidey 1 or sucking like #3, it'll be cool...

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  12. I think this works out in Tobey's Favor. He just created a new path with his amazing performance in "Bothers." I'd like to see more along that line from him. I don't think I can take him seriously anymore if he rocks that spidey suit.

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  13. I don't know that it makes sense to not take someone seriously for being in a movie of this sort. Especially since this essentially paves the way for him to start up the Robotech franchise he wanted to do, it's more or less one suit for another. I guess I just don't see the point in judging an actor for a role before you see the product come out, but that's just me.

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  14. He can't apply the same formulas he used in "Brothers" for a blockbuster release.

    That's oil and water.

    That's where I'm coming from. I now have high expectations because I was impressed with "Brothers."

    Yes, there is no product to evaluate...but as of now my expectations and predispositions are not allowing me to give him another chance in a suit. That's just me.

    And it's too strong to say "judging." I'm only look at his current resume to make my own hypothesis. Will I end up being wrong? Possibly. But there is a chance that I will be right about him faltering once he's back in a suit.

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  15. I don't see how he can't apply what he did in Brothers, a studio funded, mainstream Hollywood film (a remake, no less), to another large budget film.

    I'm just saying, it's a little odd to just decide about a project before it comes out.

    It's irrelevant now, since he's not going to be in it, but just remember, plenty of people thought Heath Ledger was making a bad career move by playing a costumed character in a comic book sequel...

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  17. Doning the suit, does not require the same amount of artistry that he used to make "Brothers" work.

    I highly doubt he would study a Spiderman script hoping to get an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. (that's where the oil and water comes in).

    From what I remember, this site thought "Amelia" would be baity this season..I personally thought so too, but it turns out we were both wrong.

    Everyone is entitled to for-see things, even if they end up getting it wrong...

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  18. It requires different artistry, perhaps more even, when factoring in special effects...

    I don't know Tobey Maguire personally, so I can't comment on what he does with a script. You can no more assume he looked for an Oscar (which he won't get) for Brothers than he did for Spider-Man or any other project.

    Indeed, though that's a case of thinking a project will work, not anticipating a role will make you lose respect for an actor who's proven to have done a good job and won respect for this same role.

    That being said, I'm not trying to change your opinion, so carry on.

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  19. Both of us are oil and water (you choose whatever reflects your personality better).

    My position with this remains....and you're rightfully allowed to do the same.

    We shall see what happens....Years fly fast.

    I'm due for some Streep. I am going to watch "It's Complicated" tonight despite its discouraging evaluation by rotten tomatoes.

    Good Night.

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  20. I'm jealous, no movie theaters in New York City have post 1 am shows on weekdays...

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