Spiderman, Rebooted

[Doctor Who?]

Ummm...it's over, Johnny.  From Nikki Finke's site:

Here's the Sony press release:

Spider-Man:  Summer 2012
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.

Ok this franchise is dead.  There is no way I am sitting through the origin again.  When is Hollywood going to learn that the first movie in a Superhero franchise is almost always the worst. Origins are dull everyone is always waiting for movie two when we can see some real action.

[Nunyerbiz]

It does seem awfully quick for a reboot... at this rate, Ironman 3 is going to be rebooted as a vehicle for one of the Jonas Brothers...

I'm sure as many did, I thought Spiderman 3 was a misstep and I'm bummed that Raimi and Toby won't be around to try and send off their series on a positive note... heck they probably could have even pulled Franco away from General Hospital... but alas... it won't be.

[Doctor Who?]

What I don't get is why everyone thinks Peter Parker can never age past 21.  Maybe it is just the fact that I read the comics in the 90s but I think there are some good stories to be told about an older Peter Parker.

[Darth Geek]

A)This property needs to revert back to Marvel.

B)They need to hire a good director for this, and they clearly don't prize that if they are willing to let Raimi go.

C)Woohoo! World of Warcraft, baby! I'm not even a gamer, but I am excited about Raimi doing this. Hope Bruce Campbell has a major role!

[ScottotD]

I hope Rami does another horror in the time he has before pre-production on the WoW movie,

[Darth Geek]

I hope Rami does another horror in the time he has before pre-production on the WoW movie,

Yeah, that would be good, too. How about a real monster movie a la Pumpkinhead or something.

[mearnest]

Doc and Nunyerbiz have pretty nicely summed up my feelings about this.  Sure, Spiderman 3 had some major problems but this is just stupid.

[Pak-Man]

IGN says Raimi bailed because he didn't feel like he could meet the deadline and preserve the movie's integrity. Rather than replace Raimi and Toby (Which would have been disasterous anyway) they decided to go with the reboot and keep Peter in High School (Which isn't the WORST idea, since most people seem to prefer dealing-with-teen-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man to dealing-with-grown-up-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man. Here's the whole story according to IGN:

http://movies.ign.com/articles/106/1060055p1.html

[ScottotD]

I think replacing Toby and Sam makes a whole lot more sense than what they're doing.  There's plenty of directors who I think could do a great job with Spider-Man,

[bratpop]

When is Hollywood going to learn that the first movie in a Superhero franchise is almost always the worst.

Maybe when the first movie in a supehero franchise stops being good enough to BECOME a franchise? And when they realize that no sequel is ever going to make as much money as The Dark Knight? And also when the first movie in a superhero franchise stops being almost always the BEST?

most people seem to prefer dealing-with-teen-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man to dealing-with-grown-up-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man

Um, you know you can't base that on less than 50 minutes of decently adapted "teen drama" from the first movie versus four hours of terribly written original "grown up drama" from the sequels, right? Just because those movies sucked doesn't mean "most people prefer" teen drama. Especially if they drag that out for three movies. It's like saying most people prefer fingernail torture to third degree burns.

[Sharktopus]

I would like to express my feelings about rebooting Spider-Man through interpretive dance:




I also cast my vote for Anton Yelchin for the new Peter Parker. I do get a vote, don't I?

[ScottotD]

When is Hollywood going to learn that the first movie in a Superhero franchise is almost always the worst.

Maybe when the first movie in a supehero franchise stops being good enough to BECOME a franchise? And when they realize that no sequel is ever going to make as much money as The Dark Knight? And also when the first movie in a superhero franchise stops being almost always the BEST?

most people seem to prefer dealing-with-teen-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man to dealing-with-grown-up-drama-while-saving-the-world Spider-Man

Um, you know you can't base that on less than 50 minutes of decently adapted "teen drama" from the first movie versus four hours of terribly written original "grown up drama" from the sequels, right? Just because those movies sucked doesn't mean "most people prefer" teen drama. Especially if they drag that out for three movies. It's like saying most people prefer fingernail torture to third degree burns.

You really didn't like Spider-Man 2 that much?  To me Dark Knight, Hellboy 2, Spider-Man 2 and X-Men 2 are the best Superhero movies around.  I like Superman 2 more than Superman and Batman Returns more than Batman too. 

[Sharktopus]

Here's my 2 cents: As a big Spidey fan, I quite enjoyed the first two Spider-Man movies, but I still felt like they missed the mark on two key fronts. In my humble opinion, Spidey's enduring popularity can be attributed to humor and youth, both of which were sorely lacking in the Sam Raimi movies. Spider-Man should be happy-go-lucky, dammit. Yes, Peter Parker is riddled with guilt and teen angst, but once he puts on that costume, he's a different person - swinging around, constantly cracking jokes, making the bad guys a captive audience to his schtick.

Secondly, likable as he is, Tobey Maguire is clearly in his 30s. There are plenty of mature, adult superheroes to make movies about. Spidey should be a teen, early twenties at best. I don't want to see Peter contemplating marriage and pursuing his master's degree, and I don't think the moviegoing masses do either. Hopefully a new Spidey movie will take a page from the Ultimate Spider-Man comics - which regardless of how you feel about Brian Bendis' other writing at Marvel, are easily some of the most balanced and entertaining Spidey stories since the '60s.

[James of LinHood]

Here's my 2 cents: As a big Spidey fan, I quite enjoyed the first two Spider-Man movies, but I still felt like they missed the mark on two key fronts. In my humble opinion, Spidey's enduring popularity can be attributed to humor and youth, both of which were sorely lacking in the Sam Raimi movies. Spider-Man should be happy-go-lucky, dammit. Yes, Peter Parker is riddled with guilt and teen angst, but once he puts on that costume, he's a different person - swinging around, constantly cracking jokes, making the bad guys a captive audience to his schtick.

Secondly, likable as he is, Tobey Maguire is clearly in his 30s. There are plenty of mature, adult superheroes to make movies about. Spidey should be a teen, early twenties at best. I don't want to see Peter contemplating marriage and pursuing his master's degree, and I don't think the moviegoing masses do either. Hopefully a new Spidey movie will take a page from the Ultimate Spider-Man comics - which regardless of how you feel about Brian Bendis' other writing at Marvel, are easily some of the most balanced and entertaining Spidey stories since the '60s.

I totally agree.

While I enjoyed the Tobey/Raimi Spidey trilogy, it clearly wasn't as good as it could have been (especially the third film).  Besides what Sharktopus mentioned, the Goblin costume always bugged me and Kirsten Dunst was never a good Mary Jane.

So, between doing Spidey 4 with the Vulture as the villain (YAWN!) or rebooting the franchise with new actors, I'll choose reboot any day of the week.

[RoninFox]

Here's my 2 cents: As a big Spidey fan, I quite enjoyed the first two Spider-Man movies, but I still felt like they missed the mark on two key fronts. In my humble opinion, Spidey's enduring popularity can be attributed to humor and youth, both of which were sorely lacking in the Sam Raimi movies. Spider-Man should be happy-go-lucky, dammit. Yes, Peter Parker is riddled with guilt and teen angst, but once he puts on that costume, he's a different person - swinging around, constantly cracking jokes, making the bad guys a captive audience to his schtick.

Secondly, likable as he is, Tobey Maguire is clearly in his 30s. There are plenty of mature, adult superheroes to make movies about. Spidey should be a teen, early twenties at best. I don't want to see Peter contemplating marriage and pursuing his master's degree, and I don't think the moviegoing masses do either. Hopefully a new Spidey movie will take a page from the Ultimate Spider-Man comics - which regardless of how you feel about Brian Bendis' other writing at Marvel, are easily some of the most balanced and entertaining Spidey stories since the '60s.

I totally agree.

While I enjoyed the Tobey/Raimi Spidey trilogy, it clearly wasn't as good as it could have been (especially the third film).  Besides what Sharktopus mentioned, the Goblin costume always bugged me and Kirsten Dunst was never a good Mary Jane.

So, between doing Spidey 4 with the Vulture as the villain (YAWN!) or rebooting the franchise with new actors, I'll choose reboot any day of the week.

Ah the Goblin costume...old forgotten complaint of mine.

You go through the trouble of hiring Dafoe to play Osbourne, a man who can easily pull off the deranged expressions required for the Goblin (which he proves in the mirror scene which may be my favorite scene in the entire series) then you stick a giant plastic mask on him, rendering that extreme facial expression meaningless for most of the character's on screen time.

Ah well, I enjoyed most of the trilogy, and in the case of 3 at least it made a good Rifftrax, but I'm curious what they can do starting fresh.  Maybe they can build to a good Venom story this way.