Exclusive: Sam Raimi on 'Spider-Man 4'
Filed under: Action, Fandom, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
Sam Raimi is currently gearing up for the release of Drag Me to Hell, his long-awaited, and (sorry, Kevin Kelly), brilliant return to Evil Dead-style horror filmmaking. Predictably – meaning we were instructed to ask on your behalf – discussion of Spider-Man 4 came up during Cinematical's recent chat with the director, and he talked about what his goals are in returning to the franchise for one more installment. Check back in the coming weeks for the rest of our Raimi interview, but here's what the filmmaker said about making a fourth movie in the multimillion dollar series."I learn lessons on every single picture I make," he said. "I learned a lot on [Drag Me To Hell], about timing, and that you don't have to give up any character at the expense of horror. It's just an excuse that maybe I've used in the past. As far as Spider-Man, I've learned a lot of lessons about what people didn't like and missteps that I'd made. But I learned those lessons on the previous two, I was just a little quieter about them. I made a lot of mistakes, and it's part of the reason I so want to make this next story of Peter Parker."
Raimi continued, "I really think I know in my heart who the character is, and I haven't quite been able to sing the song yet, or bring it out to the extent or degree of detail that I feel in my heart that I can. And I may not be successful, but I still feel like I know it better than I'm able to play it; I feel like the kid that really practiced at the piano recital, with years of comic books, and when I got to my other recitals, I sometimes made some missteps with them. There's a whole crowd there and they think that's as well as I know the piece, but I really do know it a lot better than that and I would like one more chance at that character. The Spider-Man films, I've made mistakes, but I really do look at them as things that I've learned, and hope that when I apply what I've learned to this next one, I really make a film that people enjoy and is really true to the character in a fresh, original way. That's my goal."
Robert Pattinson Talks 'Breaking Dawn' & 'Unbound Captives'
Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Nicole Kidman in 'The Danish Girl'
Discuss: The Movies That Haunt You_thumbnail.jpg)
'Yogi Bear' Will Cry Me A River With Its Cast
Watch This: Movie Titles That Slip Into the Dialogue
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-19-2009 @ 9:37AM
jfarley said...
Wow. I am speechless. I wish I could get paid millions of dollars and 4 chances to finally get it right. While I did enjoy Spidey 1-2, I am among the vocal throng that thinks Raimi (as he admits) made many mistakes with Spiderman 3. Did Joel Schumacher get another chance with Batman after the dismal "Batman and Robin"? I think not.
While I like Raimi's work in horror, I don't believe he 'get's Peter Parker at all. The character has not matured or progressed from the experiences we have seen in the movies - not to the extent that he did in a similar timeline in the comics. He is still acting like the nerdy high school kid and not the self confident adult that he becomes. At this point, he should be well on the way to that guy. Mary Jane at least showed character progression - and that was with Kirsten Dunce as the actress.
But... we don't have much of a choice. The whole crew is back for at least one more if not two (filming 4&5 at the same time still?).
Maybe in about 20 years we can get a reboot of Spiderman that will do the character justice and call it ' Spiderman Begins'
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 9:49AM
Bubbameister33 said...
The biggest mistake was Spider-Man #.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 10:00AM
Astin said...
@jfarley No, but Schumacher got another chance after Batman Forever, which started the crap that was in Batman and Robin
The biggest mistake Raimi hasn't learned from - Dunst as Mary Jane. Still terrible and nearly unwatchable.
Here's hoping he's learned NOT to shoehorn a major villain into an episode, or to even TRY to do "emo" again with Peter. Maybe he can actually jump ahead a few years with the next one and have Parker be a grownup.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 10:37AM
Nethanel said...
What he did with venom was straight shameful. Putting Venom and Hobgoblin in the same movie was a mistake right off the bat. Anyone who knows just the vastness of each of their stories knows that Venom should have been the villain in number 4 not a side dish in 3.
5-19-2009 @ 11:05AM
Thos said...
Venom and Hobgoblin AND Sandman in the same movie you mean... I didn't see Spidey3. I was looking forward to it when I learned that Thomas Hayden Church was Sandman. I thought that was cool. When I learned that there was also going to be Hobgoblin and Venom, I knew it would be a train wreck, so I passed on it.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 11:20AM
Scott K. said...
Technically, the Hobgoblin was a mercenary. Harry was just a new Green Goblin. I agree that the movie sucked. It was downright painful as somebody who grew up on Spider-Man comics. The way they treated Venom (who could still be back - this is a comic book movie after all) was a waste. And worse, the way they treated Gwen Stacy. To treat on of the most important characters in Spider-Man's history like that and... Ugh. I'll stop now.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 11:33AM
Batzarro said...
I think I know what he means. Sometimes you have the pieces of the Puzzle, but don't know where they go!
That said, I look forward to his renewed attempts. Hopefully they will find the right balance between studio, fanbase and creative factions.
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 12:06PM
Ryan said...
Bring back Michael Chabon to write part 4 (or another Pulitzer Prize winner will do). Also, this may seem like a small thing, but one reason Spider-Man was always a favorite comic book character for me was that he's constantly spouting quips and taunts during fights--many of his enemies (and allies) lament that he never shuts up, and its often said it's a defense mechanism for him in dealing with life and death situations. There was none of that in any of the movies and I think it's a signature aspect of the character. We need a wiseass Spidey!
Reply
5-19-2009 @ 4:35PM
Dash said...
Ryan, thank you, thank you and thank you again. This is exactly what I missed in the Spider movies.
In every comic and tv cartoon Spider Man keeps making fun all the time (kind of Ryan Reynold`s Deadpool in the Wolverine movie). It was suposed to be a liberation of the shy nerd, and is most likely the main reason Spidey resonates with teenagers to this day.
But in the movies they lost that side of him (instead he`s always melodramatic about having powers). It`s not a small thing, it`s a huge change of character. And a bad change.
5-19-2009 @ 3:58PM
carg0 said...
don't care.
nothing will remove the stink of spiderman 3. there should've been public executions, lol...
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 1:46PM
abby E said...
me thinks the failure that was Spidey 3, waas due to a weak story and some unanswered subplots. alvin sargeant and micheal chabon easily could've structed a far more entertaining story. The sandman was done accordingly well but the Venom piece didn't feel like it needed to be part of the movie. I've always said both mediums never compliment each other as far as continuity. The comic magazines follow a said plotline while the movies create their own versions while loosely adhereing to the source material. That being said structure a compelling story with one (villian) character which worked well w/ Doc Ock in Spidey 2. I vote for the the Lizard to grace us next, as it is always being clearly presented in the last three movies. There could be a free mix of drama, suspence and partial horror, and of course with Sam at the helm, I know he would not dissapoint.
Reply
5-20-2009 @ 1:47PM
abby E said...
If Mary Elizabeth Winstead isn't THE mary jane watson for the next movie , I might as well commit suicide!!! She's perfect for the role!! C'mon Sam give the fans the mary Jane we all want to see!!
Reply
5-27-2009 @ 1:13PM
abby E said...
hey guys abby here again, just so that you fellow moviegoers are concerned I've read that the Villian in Spiderman 4 will be none other than MORBIUS The living vampire. I have no idea how he will be inserted into the story, but I personallt think Sam is still keeping his horror motives intact with this character. Lets see how it will turn out....but I think having the Lizard in there will add some real complexities to the plotline....anyone care to disagree?
5-20-2009 @ 8:28PM
Reboot said...
Seriously, just "reboot" it now, it's all the rage.
Ditch Raimi and Tobey and Kirsten... Tobey played a great nerd Parker but I don't think he can grow or evolve into the "cool, yet nerdy" young adult Peter Parker we see in the comics.
And for the script of Spidey 4 - get some of the decent comic writers working extremely closely with the film writer and we might produce something of a higher standard.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 8:04AM
Adam said...
@13: God almighty not another reboot
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 10:52AM
benbligh said...
Ryan is dead on. Where is the wise-cracking Spidey with all his self-acknowledged horrible puns? Although I think its pretty amazing that Raimi can talk openly about this. How many big budget directors have that modest an ego? You think you'd ever hear Michael Bay lament on where he mistepped on characters? Or Stephen Summers? Or George Lucas?
And yes. Parker should grow up. When you are 26, who still treats themselves like the high school nerd? You are engaged, yet socially you carry yourself like an outcast?
I saw Drag Me To Hell at a screening recently and its really fantastic. Every single part of it.
Reply
5-22-2009 @ 4:50PM
LD said...
It is a bit worrying that Raimi is still talking about making a great Peter Parker story and missing the point again, I would like a great Spider-man story like in the first 2 films.
Reply
5-30-2009 @ 10:20PM
terri giuliani said...
How How Sam!! Enjoyed all the Spiderman movies.
Would like to see Kristen Dunst replaced though.
Reply
7-06-2009 @ 12:56AM
kai said...
Im alright with kirsten dunst. its just the stupidity of the last film. in the original comics and tv show, you learned about patert parker while he was spiderman, on top of buildings talking to himslef, and when he was flying around NYC. In the films theres too much non-spiderman parts. Also, emo spiderman was ridiculous, the greatest villain of all time was played by a skinny kid, meanwhile, eddie brock was ripped, and then to kill him off like 5 minutes into his part? Atleast just make him go to jail so we can see him in the next one without a completely unrealistic story of his survival. I want to direct the next one. Kletus Kassady; Carnage, remind anyone of the joker? imagine johnny depp, sony, please, hire me !! haha!
Reply