In the wake of recent disagreements between director Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures, the release date (and script) for SPIDER-MAN 4 was delayed, and the two parties were arguing over which villain would be best for the fourth installment of the popular franchise.  SPIDER-MAN 3 was panned by many critics and fans, largely as a result of its inclusion of too many baddies, but most notably the underdeveloped and unnecessary “Venom” character, which was reported to be done at the specific request of Sony and not Raimi.  For SPIDEY 4, Raimi wanted “The Vulture” as the villain, and John Malkovich recently confirmed in an interview that he was indeed in talks to play the nefarious bird-man (which personally, I’m not wild about seeing realized).  Sony however wanted to focus on “Black Cat”, which would certainly add a sexier layer to the story, and most definitely would help the trailer sell a few extra tickets.  Though all of that may be pointless with the statement you’re about to read.  The main thing to remember is that both Raimi and Sony really needed to concentrate on making up for the disappointing mess that was the third film.  Well, in a shocking development, it looks like both Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire (along with the rest of the cast as a result) are no longer going to be involved with SPIDER-MAN at all!  Worse, it appears that Sony is going to move forward with another SPIDEY movie, and making it sound like a… (shudder) reboot.  New cast, new creative team, no Raimi.  I know, I know, you’re asking yourself “ARE THEY NUTS?!?!”  Sony has issued a press release, which says:

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.”

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So there you have it.  The big question now is what will become of the next film?  Could it be someone huge like James Cameron steps in to take things in a bold and truly “Amazing” direction?  Quint at Aint It Cool News suggested the idea of bringing in someone like DISTRICT 9‘s Neill Blomkamp, which I think could be great.  I guess I’m just saddened by the fact it’s come to this.  I love Sam Raimi, always have, and as much of a mess as SPIDER-MAN 3 is, I’d be willing to forgive and forget if he turned in a respectable fourth film.  But Sony had other plans it seems.  And what will be next for Sam Raimi?  Will he and Tobey re-team on another bigger and better superhero film?  Will we finally get EVIL DEAD 4?  We may never get a satisfying continuation of what’s already been done… then again, we may get something infinitely better than anyone ever could’ve expected.  Thoughts?  Comment below!

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