Tag: Spiderman

SPIDER-MAN Sees Another Villain and New Parents

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting on the latest casting news for the upcoming SPIDER-MAN.

Campbell Scott has joined the cast of Columbia’s new Spider-Man movie while Irrfan Khan, Annie Parisse and Julianne Nicholson are in various stages of discussions to also join the production.

The movie, under the direction of Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, begins production this month in Los Angeles and is in the latter stages of its casting process.

Scott and Nicholson (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) will be Parker’s parents, who leave their son an orphan. Parker’s parents have rarely been seen in the various Marvel comic book series and have never appeared on-screen. It is unclear if they will appear in flashbacks, in a prologue or during the course of the movie.

Khan, best known for his work in Slumdog Millionaire, is playing a villain named Van Atter, joining Rhys Ifans as the movie’s bad guys.

Parisse, who appeared most recently in couple of episodes of AMC’s Rubicon, will be the villain’s wife.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

UPDATED: Sally Field & Martin Sheen Might Play Aunt May/Uncle Ben In SPIDERMAN

The Hollywood Reporter has this news on the latest SPIDER MAN casting.

Martin Sheen is in final negotiations to play Uncle Ben in Columbia’s new Spider-man movie.

In Spider-Man lore, Uncle Ben, along with Aunt May, is responsible for bringing up Peter Parker. His death at the hands of a burglar is the key event that turns Parker, who until then was using his newfound super-powers for personal gain, to step onto the path of heroism.

Sally Field as Aunt May?

The actress is in early talks to play Peter Parker’s beloved aunt in the new Spider-Man movie. Field’s last major studio role was in 2003’s Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, although she did star in the 2006 indie drama Two Weeks. She is more recently known for her work on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters.

Sheen and Field will join a cast that includes Andrew Garfield as Parker, Emma Stone as love interest Gwen Stacy and Rhys Ifans as the movie’s unnamed villain.

The movie, under the direction of Marc Webb, is heading for a December start.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Andrew Garfield is the New Spiderman!

Sony Pictures has cast British actor Andrew Garfield, 26, to star as the young ‘Spider-Man,’ according to Variety. Garfield made his film debut in the Robert Redford’s LIONS FOR LAMBS, was previously in BOY A & THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, and recently appeared in THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSIUS. Look for Garfield in David Fincher’s upcoming Facebook movie, THE SOCIAL NETWORK and he’ll play the lead male opposite Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan in Mark Romanek’s NEVER LET ME GO, due for release later this year..

From Collider.com comes this cool video and images from Mexico where director Marc Webb and producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin made the big announcement.

Garfield was among the final list of contenders along with Jamie Bell, Anton Yelchin, Aaron Johnson, Logan Lerman, Alden Ehrenreich, Frank Dillane, Michael Angarano, and Josh Hutcherson, who was rumored to have had the part already in the bag. Shooting begins in early December and the studio will release the film in 3D on July 3, 2012.

Video and stills courtesy of Collider.com

James Cameron and Marc Webb Discuss 3-D and a Little SPIDER-MAN

A little history lesson to start this article off.   Some of you might not know that AVATAR director James Cameron was inches away from helming the first run at the SPIDER-MAN property for the big screen.   It’s a long and windy road that took Cameron near the project and, ultimately, pushed him far, far away from it, as well.   Let’s just say, based on the 47-page scriptment he put together in the early ’90s, Cameron’s SPIDER-MAN would have been huge and quite vociferous, maybe even a bit Michael Bay-ish if you will allow me a generalized comparison.

So, I’m not sure how to take the latest news coming from MTV that the next SPIDER-MAN director, Marc Webb, met recently with Cameron and some of his AVATAR crew to compare notes.   When you read it like that, it almost makes it sound like Webb is aiming for the next SPIDER-MAN to run along the same lines as Cameron’s massive scriptment.   However, story has nothing to do with it, especially when you have something as groundbreaking and as loved by Hollywood as 3-D in the mix.

You see, the meeting had nothing to do with SPIDER-MAN.   Oh, I’m sure Cameron’s intentions for the property came up a time or two.   Cameron has long since gotten over the fact that he never go to make his vision of SPIDER-MAN, and even recently went so far as to say any director who takes on the project would be getting his sloppy seconds.   That Cameron’s a class act, folks.   But, no, this particular meeting was mostly about 3-D and the ideas Webb has for the next SPIDER-MAN film.

Says Jon Landau, Cameron’s business partner:

Webb wants to do the next one in 3-D, which they’ve announced that they want to do. So, we want to try to support that as much as possible.

Other movies are turning to it now, some of which I agree with, some of which I don’t agree with. CLASH OF THE TITANS is coming out in 3-D; they’re converting it very hastily into 3-D. I’m not in favor if that.   If you want to shoot a 3-D movie, shoot it in 3-D.

Well, on that, I agree with Landau 100%.   That still doesn’t mean I’m in favor of Webb shooting the next SPIDER-MAN this way, but, if you’re going to do it, you might as well do it the right way.   Consulting with Cameron is the way to do just that.

SPIDER-MAN 4 Gets a Stardate, As Well

Someone’s about to flinch, and in more ways than one.     Sony Pictures announced this afternoon that the Marc Webb-directed reboot of the SPIDER-MAN franchise will not only be coming at you on July 3rd, 2012, it will be literally coming straight for you in 3-D.

Those of you who know me pretty well know how I feel about the whole 3-D concept and how overly used it is becoming in Hollywood.   What was an annoying gimmick that never really did anything for my cinematic experiences (yes, I’m even including AVATAR with that statement) is now quickly becoming the norm, a commonplace element of movie watching that, years down the road, will be the catalyst for a new type of brain cancer.   I can’t back that up, so, RealD, please put the phone call to your lawyers on hold for a bit.

But the 3-D aspects of having pieces of web and a John Malkovich-driven Vulture coming right at audience’s face wasn’t what I was referring to with that “someone is going to flinch” comment.   In fact, that aspect of the film isn’t even news worthy as just about every film is likely to, at least, be tempted by the 3-D bug.   SPIDER-MAN 4, which Sony, for now, is just calling SPIDER-MAN, is set for release on July 3rd, 2012.   This comes just four days after the intended STAR TREK sequel is set to bow.   Like I said, someone is going to flinch.   If both of these high profile films hold these, exact dates all the way until their respective releases, I will eat my movie-loving hat.   As a cute aside, I will be sure it is my newly bought Spyder skull cap for good measure.

Actually, if I had to guess, and the verbose writer in me tells me I do, I would see Sony pulling SPIDER-MAN’s July 3rd release before Paramount moving STAR TREK 2’s release date.   For one, the good favor the STAR TREK franchise has coming off last year’s success is undoubted, and people are skeptical at best of this new SPIDER-MAN.   Webb is an unchallenged filmmaker coming into a franchise whose last entry was a failure on so many levels and whose next entry is toning it back in every aesthetic aspect imagineable.   Not exactly the type of film that cries out 4th of July weekend material.

For now, both June and July 2012 are pretty well open with only STAR TREK and SPIDER-MAN having potential release dates.   I either see SPIDER-MAN getting pushed back to mid-July or moved up to the first or second weekend in June.   This would seem a much more likely debut date for it.   Of course, I could always be proven wrong.   That Spyder cap will probably go down a lot easier with some garlic salt splashed on it.

SPIDER-MAN Reboot Slings Its Webb

This is really just an update to the story run a couple of days ago.  At that time, it was just a “might happen” kind of scenario, but, now, it is official.  What came as early buzz from NY Mag’s Vulture, has now been confirmed by Sony Pictures Twitter Feed.  (500) DAYS OF SUMMER director Marc Webb has officially signed on for directing duties on the next SPIDER-MAN film to hit theaters in Summer of 2012.

Even more news is coming from The Hollywood Reporter, which is saying the new film will be a pared down version of the SPIDER-MAN story, dealing more on Peter Parker’s days in high school.  The story, from the screenplay by Jamie Vanderbilt, will steer closer to Parker’s angst-ridden days while trying to cope with his Uncle’s untimely death.  THR is also reporting the budget on the new film will be in the $80 million range.

I’ve said my peace about Marc Webb taking on this challenge.  I hope he is up for it, and it gives me some hope that the film is going to be $80 million instead of around $200 million.  He is a highly gifted director, and I pray he can pull this off with flying colors.  I just have my doubts as to the style the film is going to take and what might be in store for us with this new take on SPIDER-MAN.  Some people are already likening this to a SMALLVILLE version of the superhero, and still others don’t have a problem with that one bit.

We’ll all find out in the coming months and throughout next year, as casting choices start to come in.

SPIDER-MAN Reboot May Have Found Its Webb

At first, the news coming from Deadline Hollywood that (500) DAYS OF SUMMER director Marc Webb was at the top of Sony Pictures’ list of directors for the SPIDER-MAN reboot seemed like a blessing.  Anyone who knows me at all knows that (500) DAYS OF SUMMER was my absolute favorite movie of last year, and I give major credit to Webb’s direction of that film in regards to why I love it so much.

Now, I am beginning to question that thought.  Would Webb, a man who has one, feature film under his belt, one that cost $7.5 million to boot, be the right choice to relaunch a franchise with a film that would, probably, cost upwards of $150-$200 million?  The answer to that is, I’m not completely sure.  Granted, bringing Webb in as the director would mean people would be looking to Joseph Gordon-Levitt to fill the Peter Parker role, and that, my friends, is a great idea.

But Webb is untested when it comes to anything but low budget, quirky fare.  Christopher Nolan didn’t jump from MEMENTO to BATMAN BEGINS.  Hell, he didn’t even jump from FOLLOWING to BATMAN BEGINS.  He stepped his way up, hitting INSOMNIA on his way to trying to relaunch a franchise.  By comparison, MEMENTO cost $9 million and INSOMNIA cost $46 million.  BATMAN BEGINS had a $150 million budget, but that was a franchise that had long been stale and needed a reboot.  With the SPIDER-MAN franchise, the last one came out just under three years ago, so this next film will feel more like another sequel than a out-and-out overhaul of the franchise.

The Deadline Hollywood article also mentions the potential release date for the new SPIDER-MAN film won’t be until 2012, and the delay in release will be due to them wanting to shoot in 3-D.  For more on that, check out my rant on this week’s episode of The Golden Briefcase.  This is yet another element going into this film that could serve as a challenge to Webb.

What do you think?  Who would be a good choice for the new SPIDER-MAN?  Is it time to start throwing money at James Cameron to get his version of the film finally made?  Who would be the right choice for the lead role?  Some think JGL is too old, but I say he can pull it off.  Let us know your thoughts by shooting us a comment below.

THOR, PIRATES, SPIDERMAN 4 All Play the Release Date Shuffle

It was announced on Tuesday via Variety that Sony Pictures was putting SPIDER-MAN 4 on indefinite hiatus citing issues with the screenplay.   The film was slated for release on May 6th, 2011, but a source claimed this date was questionable at best.   It hasn’t taken long for other, tent pole films to swoop into that prime spot.

Today, both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are reporting that Paramount’s THOR, previously set to bow on May 20th, has moved into the May 6th slot, giving it the opening Summer position for 2011.   With nothing left to fill the May 20th slot, Disney has stepped in and made that date the home for the release of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES.

The question that remains now is in where SPIDER-MAN 4 will find itself once these script issues get worked out.   Two of the three, previous SPIDER-MAN movies opened in that opening, Summer slot.   SPIDER-MAN 2 opened in late June of 2004, but, right now, the July 1st slot in 2011 is home to TRANSFORMERS 3.   Don’t expect that franchise to get sweated out any time soon.

SPIDER-MAN 4 is still announced as having a May 6th release date, and, should this date hold, it could leave Paramount in quite a conundrum with what to do with THOR.   They won’t want to open against an already established, comic book franchise, and Marvel will do everything in their power to keep this from happening, anyway.

What do you think?   What date looks good for the next SPIDER-MAN entry?   Did Paramount jump too soon in shifting THOR’s release date?   Looking at the current slate for Summer 2011, what film do you think has the strongest chance of walking away the big bread winner?     Let us know by leaving a comment below.

New Female Lead for SPIDEY 4? Black Cat?

Blackcatspidey4

Earlier today, some rumors were circulating the various film bogs regarding the reported casting of the Spiderman anti-hero Black Cat for the announced SPIDERMAN 4. Rumor had it that Rachel McAdams was up for the part. This has not been approved or denied whatsoever, as most of these casting rumors do (anyone remember all those BATMAN 3 rumors? Jeez). Pete at /Film got word from one of his readers that two things are true at this point: One being that the feature is indeed being cast by director Sam Raimi and his team, and two, they ARE looking for a new female lead. To make things more interesting, the reader also noted that Romola Garai (DIRTY DANCING: HAVANA NIGHTS, AMAZING GRACE) has auditioned for this “female role,” which many are assuming is the character of Black Cat.

I personally like McAdams for the role, not having seen any of the above cited Garai films, and I think she would bring a fresh life to the picture. I always was intrigued by the Black Cat character in the Spiderman animated series of my youth, so if this rumor proves to be true, I will be totally fine with this!

As stated above, this is still in the rumor stage, but be sure that we will keep you posted on any new developments!

Discuss: Which Spiderman character would you geeks like to see in this next installment of the series?

Bruce Campbell Speaks on ‘Spider-Man 4’

bruce campbell spiderman

If you’re a fan of Bruce Campbell and his always-entertaining cameos in friend, Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man’ films, this is some nice news to get your week started.   Campbell, while attending the red carpet premiere of ‘Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,’ spoke with Access Hollywood about ‘Spider-Man 4.’

First off, the film is set to begin shooting this coming January.   This will give ‘Spider-Man 4’ the same amount of time the first ‘Spider-Man’ had between start of production and release date.   ‘Spider-Man 2’ didn’t begin production until April of the year before its release, and ‘Spider-Man 3’ began production all the way back in November of 2005.   The latter piece of information didn’t seem to help its chances with fans of the previous two.

Campbell also made some mention as to his part in ‘Spider-Man 4.’   He will definitely be appearing in the film, but it’s not going to be another, five-minute cameo as with the previous, three films.   Campbell revealed that he is taking a major role in the upcoming film, which will surely get fan fantasy casting rumors started immediately.   There have been rumors for years that Campbell may, some day, take on the role of villain, Mysterio.   Early rumors on ‘Spider-Man 4’ were that the villain would be Morbius, a rumor that was shot down, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be seeing a vampire-themed entry into the series.   This also doesn’t put Campbell in the driving seat for that, particular character.   ‘Spider-Man 4’ is sure to have more than one villain, even though that was one of the biggest issues fans had with the third film.

‘Spider-Man 4’ is set for release on May 6th, 2011.