With the announcement today that Paramount is attempting to lure Sam Raimi into developing and directing several films based on the popular Jack Ryan character, it would certainly appear as if the man is officially done with Spidey. Of course, there's always a chance he'd stay on as producer, but will that be enough to bring back his original cast? Probably not. Paramount is targeting the summer of 2010 for their first Ryan flick, which -- from what we hear -- is right around the same time Spider-Man 4 would hit theaters (if all things stay as planned). The next Superman flick is also supposed to touch down that same summer, so it will be interesting to see a re-vamped Spidey go head-to-head against a sequel they really can't f*ck up.
Variety claims Raimi is not out of the running to direct another Spider-Man film, but since he's in the middle of helming Drag Me to Hell, it would be near impossible for the man to deliver both a new Spidey film and a Jack Ryan film at the same time. Both franchises are in need of some serious work, and it will take time to develop. There's been no word on the current Spidey script, other than it's being worked on -- so for all we know, that could be just about ready to go. Of course, the strike probably didn't help much. What do you think?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-19-2008 @ 12:15PM
RP said...
Well let's face it, even blooming 'McG' could have done the 3rd installment better, so I can't say I'm all that bothered about Raimi returning.
Could do with a fresh cast as well anyway, those three films continually retred a lot of ground so hopefully a new cast would inspire a completely fresh approach.
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3-19-2008 @ 12:27PM
Moo said...
interesting. I'm not among the Raimi-o-philes out there (SO glad he's not doing the Hobbit) so I'd be fine with seeing him go. I liked the first 2 spidey films (and nobody can argue the financial success) but Spidey 3 was pure garbage. A fresh director is exactly what is NEEDED I think to keep Spidey's future intact. Of course...the director would have to be decent. If we're talking Michael Bay or something all bets are off.
Your point about the cast leaving if Raimi left is well-taken, however. I don't recall where they are contractually, but I seem to remember that they had signed on for 3...so things are probably up in the air.
So I guess I'll vote "yes" there is a successful future for Spidey...or there could be. Given the financial success of the first 3 years, I would expect that Marvel will figure out a way to make it happen. If they make a movie, even a bad one, it will be financially successful. Creatively? Who knows, there is too much up in the air to tell.
random aside: I giggled a little at your characterization of the Superman sequel as a "sequel they really can't f*ck up." Based on what? Many filmgoers felt that Returns was pretty f*cked up so, while I'm hopeful that Singer will return to form now that the characters are well-established, the Superman sequel is hardly a lock.
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3-19-2008 @ 12:51PM
Kevin said...
I took the "f*ck up" comment to mean that they can't mess it up or else that franchise is dead, so they have to hit a home run with that sequel or else thats it.
As for the cast not returning...WHO CARES? Kirsten Dunst was mediocre at best, and Tobey Maguire spent the majority of all three movies either grinning like an idiot or crying like a baby. Spoiler- James Franco's character is dead, so that pretty much leaves Aunt May as a returning character. So if they have to totally redo the cast I would have no problem with that. And I think that everyone can agree that after the train wreck that was Spidey-3 that they definitely need to get some fresh blood behind the camera as well.
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3-19-2008 @ 12:51PM
Nathaniel said...
I say they go the way of The Hulk - remake the third film completely and forget the first take ever happened.
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3-19-2008 @ 12:57PM
Moo said...
Kevin- ok that makes sense then.
Nathaniel- if it will purge the memory of Spidy 3 from my brain, I absolutely agree!
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3-19-2008 @ 12:59PM
Adam said...
In terms of there being a "future" for Spider-Man? Absolutely. At least for the next film. No matter who directs it or stars in it, this is a franchise that will still make $250+ million. The real question is can they make another good movie? If they bring out another Spider-Man 3 debacle, I feel that moviegoers will stop paying.
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3-19-2008 @ 1:19PM
Sam G. said...
I would like to see it be set aside for a few years so everyone can wash the taste of 3 out of their mouths, then give it to a new team to come up with a different take on the character. Somewhat like WB did with Batman, though it doesn't necessarily have to mean a "more realistic" take; just a different one.
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3-19-2008 @ 1:34PM
Moo said...
I could definitely get behind that idea, Sam.
3-19-2008 @ 3:05PM
The Addict said...
I'll agree with that as well. Wait until I'm in Hollywood then hand the franchise to me =P
Here's what the new franchise would need though:
- new cast
- new director
- slightly darker tone, as little camp as possible
I'd love to see them take the Gwen Stacy story from the comics and put that on film. Her: *snap* Me: *nice*
3-20-2008 @ 8:42AM
MosquitoControl said...
The first one was good. The second one was great. The third one was awful.
It can have a future, but Raimi need not be a part of it. I wouldn't mind giving him another chance, but after 3 I wouldn't mind him leaving, either.
The cast can be nixed. Kirsten Dunst was absolutely terrible (I could never figure out why so many men were fighting over her.) Toby isn't terrible, but he's limited. He does innocent and naive well. Spiderman, by 4, should no longer be either of those. I still think bringing in Jake Ghyllenhal would work well to show a slightly darker, more sarcastic Spiderman, but honestly, do we need actor continuity? Only Aunt May seemed to genuinely own the character, the rest seemed to be renting them.
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3-27-2008 @ 1:52PM
stephen martin said...
I thought that if you eliminated the John Travolta "stroll" and the humorless/useless piano playing, then the rest was actually reasonably good. If you want to continue, then replace Toby and Kirsten and the director with someone else. So that they appear more mature, someone suggest that Kirsten Dunst be replaced by Maggie Gyllenhall.She is a really good actress to play the role.
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