Bolstered by his Golden Globe nomination for (500) Days of Summer, Marc Webb has decided to tempt the fates and a fanboy storm by signing on to direct the trouble-plagued Spider-Man 4 movie.
As reported in Variety and ComingSoon.net, Webb will be working from a script written by James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) and will be carefully watched by producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin as they re-ramp up production later this year.
In discussing his reasons for working on the project, Webb said in a statement:
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.
As previously reported, the “new” fourth film may be a “reboot” of the franchise… kinda. Exact details are sketchy, but the current scuttlebutt has the movie taking place when Peter Parker is still a high school kid, learning how to deal with his powers and survive not just fights with burglars but school bullies as well. How much of this would take place within the existing timeline of the movies is to be seen, if at all.
In addition, exactly how much fanboy favor will bless or condemn the new direction will depend on whom they choose to be the “new” Spider-Man, and names that have been tossed around include Twilight‘s Robert Pattinson and Jim Sturgess from 21 and The Other Boleyn Girl.
As I was writing this, Gordon popped online to remind me that Webb started off his career as a director of music videos (some of which you can see on his website here) and that Webb’s confirmation as director means that we’ll have to wait a bit to see his re-imagining of Jesus Christ Superstar for Universal Pictures—which leaves me just a little disappointed because if movie audiences are going to have to endure another version of the Christ story, we might as well get one with singing, dancing, and a soulful Judas, right?
Related Posts: “Spider-Man 4 No More”?! Not exactly… (updated), Additional details on Spider-Man 4 delay, including Thor and Pirates 4 release dates, Quick Cuts: Spider-Man 4 falls while Deadpool rises, and other stories (updated)
genevievelopez says:
If Robert Pattinson plays Peter Parker, I don't know whether I'd die from laughter or… no, I'd die laughing. But I think most of Marvel's fanbase doesn't exactly overlap with the Twilight fanbase, so that would be a poor (if HILARIOUSLY HORRIBLE) casting choice.
The weirdest rumor I heard for new!Pete was Anton Yelchin. Random much? Isn't he under contract for 2 more Star Trek films??
Anyway, is this still going to be done by Columbia Pictures, or did Marvel reacquire the rights to Spider-Man? I could see it being a reboot if Marvel Studios were the execs in charge, but it's odd that the same company would decide to redo their own work.
Gordon McAlpin says:
It's still Sony/Columbia.
I have a hunch they'll gloss over the Spidey origin similar to how The Incredible Hulk did it; get it out of the way swiftly, move on to the story. This will not be an origin movie.
molnek says:
We need a Peter Parker before we can get a clue as to what to expect. But both of those names being thrown around should be put back I think the internet would break in half if Robert Pattinson was cast, and Jim Sturgess just isn't right for it. My main memory of Jesus Christ Superstar is Judas singing on that cliff, good times.
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