So yes, “Spider-Man 4” is dead and Sony is going for the reboot route, back to the teenage years. Pretty much old news now.
And while Variety may have chimed in a little late (DHD and THR were definitely the frontrunners). Their report brings up some very interesting details.
While this news was breaking, we were speculating, will “Spider-Man” 2.0, the reboot as it were, use elements of the “Spider-Man 4” script and then modify them as necessary to bring it back to scratch? Would Vanderbilt start working on a whole new script?
None of the above. The screenplay is apparently already complete. How’s that? Well, apparently Sony saw this day coming for a long time and Vanderbilt’s script was a contingency project that has already been written and is ready to go. Pretty interesting.
The project is already in pre-production and apparently the idea is to hire a new director and new (inexpensive, naturally) stars in the next few weeks. It might not be long before an entire new cast of principals has been announced. Another reason why they’re forging ahead? As Variety says, “Columbia/Sony needs to continue actively developing “Spider Man” films or else the property will revert back to Disney/Marvel.”
So while Vanderbilt wrote “Spider-Man 4” and was hired to write “Spider-Man 5 & 6,” he was essentially, writing the reboot in secret (or writing “Spider-Man 5 & 6″ was secret code for: Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are eventually going to dump this thing, start over.” Though as the trades reported and we wrote, “It appears that the studio isn’t optimistic either — already bracing itself for a talent exodus as Vanderbilt’s arc is reportedly set up as a potential rebooter.” Ok, maybe it wasn’t so “secret” but it’s still pretty incredible to learn that his reboot script is done already. Alright Sony, we’ll hand it to you, you’re much smarter than you look.
Vanderbilt’s credit’s include David Fincher’s “Zodiac” and more recently the WB project/D.C. comics adaptation, “The Losers.”
I forget the source, but one article (of millions) that was run today stated that Sony was eyeing Marc Webb to direct. They were eying him for Moneyball and are looking for the right project to set him up with.
IF this is true, could Joseph Gordan Levitt be Spider-man? It was rumored way back in the day if you remember.
http://cinemablend.com/new/Scoop-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-As-Spider-Man-4914.html
Okay, here it is. EW is making this claim ^……
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2010/01/11/spider-man-reboot/
I reckon Anton Yelchin as spidey and Mary Elizabeth Winstead as M.J, with Timur Bekmambetov directing…
Marc Webb could actually be pretty cool.
I think it's SO stupid that they're already rebooting this franchise. Granted, I wasn't looking forward to Spiderman 4, but I don't get why they need to go back to square 1 so soon.
I like Yelchin for Peter, too, Tommy. How does Winstead look as a redhead? If not for MJ, then maybe Gwen Stacy? Isn't Mary Jane supposed to be an ultra hot supermodel and not a lame jazz/lounge singer Raimi turned her into?!? Jessica Stroup or Ashley Green might work as MJ.
A Dark Knight-influenced film from the director of 500 Days of Summer? It's like Sony is trying to most unappealing combination to me possible.
Take the Dark Knight comparison with a grain of salt. All they mean by this is that it will be less kitsch.
AGH it's too early to reboot this franchise!
I wonder if this means that Tobey Maguire is off to the shire now?