"Spider-Man 4" delayed over script clashes
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The latest "Spider-Man" sequel is proving villainously difficult to plot out.
Sony and director Sam Raimi are at loggerheads over which direction to go with the villains for the latest installment -- an impasse that has prompted the studio to delay its scheduled spring production start and potentially to bump the picture from its May 11, 2011 release slot.
Raimi wants to have a criminal known as the Vulture act as the primary antagonist in the film while the studio, which dislikes the idea of the winged wrongdoer, is pushing for a romantic sub-plot involving a burglar named the Black Cat in addition to another villain.
A succession of writers has tried to marry the two parties' differing visions to no effect.
Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire ("Rabbit Hole") was hired in October 2008 to pen a key version of the screenplay, on top of the earlier version penned by James Vanderbilt ("Zodiac"). Last year, Sony brought in Gary Ross -- Oscar-nominated for his adapted script on 2003's "Seabiscuit" -- which he also directed.
Alvin Sargent is penning the latest iteration.
Word of the Sony-Raimi conflict first surfaced mid-December on genre Web site IESB, but Sony denied the report, saying tweaking of the script was "nothing unusual."
The differing views about the villain have their origins in the making of "Spider-Man 3."
Raimi, a fan of the wall-crawling super-hero since the character's 1960s debut, wanted to use classic villain Vulture in addition to Sandman, another classic creation, for that movie. The studio pushed him to use Venom, a character that was introduced in the late 1980s, because it thought that character, with its slick alien-symbiote origin, would lend itself to more effective marketing material and a way to attract "the kids."
"Spider-Man 3," while ensnaring $890 million in its worldwide web, turned out to be reviled by both the fanboy community and by many critics.
Production still could begin by this summer. While Sony insiders maintain the pic still could remain in its current release date, a shift to a date later in summer 2011 may be more likely considering the lack of a final script for the visual effects-driven project.
Sony's on course to repeat the mistakes of Spidey 3. Love is over.
As long as "The Vulturess" rumor is just that (a rumor) I'm... Well to be honest at this point I could careless.
Just no Vulturess Sony.
I want the Lizard damnit! 
After the disappointing #3, coupled with the fact that Ironman was a better film than both the Spideys, I could really care less about #4.
How about scrapping the Spidey movie franchise as it is at the moment because its all completely terrible and hand the movie license to Marvel who are doing the Avengers sets of films. And do that for the X-Men too. And then maybe we can have some decent movies for the webslinger and mutants and who knows maybe a civil movie eventually.
I dont really like the Vulture at all, but then again i didnt like Doc Oc so much in the comics but in the movie he was cool. I am really hoping for the black cat though. I thought the girl who played gwen stacy would've been good as the black cat.
But what i think would be good for a Spiderman 4 movie is an adaption of Kravens Last Hunt. After Dark Knight people want some psychological edge to their superhero movies. It doesnt get much darker than Kravens last hunt.
How abut Gerard Butler a Kraven? 
I can see Gerard Butler as Kraven.
I can't see Gerard Butler touching this mess of a movie though.
Eliza Dushku for Black Cat plz
As I understand it, negotiations're ongoing for John Malkovich as Vulture and Anne Hathaway as Vulturess.
Malkovich I could be curious about - Hathaway... meh...
As I understand it, negotiations're ongoing for John Malkovich as Vulture and Anne Hathaway as Vulturess.
NO VULTURESS PLZ! ;__;
wait, what? There was a Vulturess? It's been years since I cared about comics but I don't remember there being a Vulturess. Is this a movie exclusive thing or did I miss something?
I've heard so many good things about OMD (One More Day), why not do a movie with that plot?
As much as i hate Mary Jane, i dont think One More Day would work as a film. I haven't really followed Spiderman since the Howard Mackie era ended, but i did read OMD and it seemed like a quick dirty retcon to get the comic back to where it used to be.
Of course if they could retcon Spiderman 3 so it didnt happen then maybe i'd be all for it. In fact instead of Spiderman 4 lets just make a Spiderman 3 that doesn't suck.
And i never heard of the Vultress either.
Vulturess is a made up character that Rami the studio wanted to create as the alter-ego of Felicia Hardy...
EDIT: Rumor on other sites doesn't lists Rami, so I'm just going for studio until otherwise.
So Felicia Hardy would have TWO alter egos?
Ahhh...nothing to say here. How about a movie about Spiderman and make it a comedy about how much of a chew toy of fate he is?
No. the rumor was that there was no Black Cat and that Felicia Hardy's alter-ego would only be this "Vulturess."
*Facepalms*
Ugh - the day producers learn not to fudge with a pre-existing story, the happier we all will be.
And there was much, MUCH rejoicing.
I wonder how this will affect the (Ultimate) Avengers movie?
I would imagine not at all - it'll probably hold it's own internal canon for sheer convenience.
All I'm hoping is that the Captain America movie uses the the Team America song in the credits.
Personally, I love Steve Rogers, I don't know why, but I do, and I'm hoping his movie (Known to be set mostly in the war) is brilliant, I want nothing but good for it, to me he is everything that can every be good with america. But seriously, just as a nod to humour, that playing during the credits? It would make the movie.
Either way though, I may dislike america in general (on the basis of I'm a cynical git) but I love Captain america, and I am looking forward to the Captain america movie.
And there was much, MUCH rejoicing.
Really? Because I'm looking around other forums, and people seem to be pissed about this reboot.
Plus, this: http://hollywoodinsider.e...01/11/spider-man-reboot/
Yeah, consider that this is a reboot commanded by those who ruined Spider-Man 3.
I consider Spider-Man 2 by far the best comic superhero movie ever made, yes, including the Dark Knight (which just had the best individual acting performance).
Dark reboot suggests that comic book movies are now entering the dark age comic books are just starting to learn was an incredibly stupid idea.
And there was much, MUCH rejoicing.
Really? Because I'm looking around other forums, and people seem to be pissed about this reboot.
Plus, this: http://hollywoodinsider.e...01/11/spider-man-reboot/
But there is no more threat of Vulturess (for now)
Besides. Hardcore fans are a pain to please.
**** you, Sony.
Oh well, I guess this frees Raimi up to go do his own thing again without the mouthbreathers telling him to use their stupid ideas OR ELSE.
And Spiderman 3 is underrated. The 'Spiderdouche' and 'Jazz Club' bits are hilarious and fantastic bits of pure Raimi insanity. Also, the movie gave me and my friends a great in-joke: "SO good."
Props to Sam for GTFOing - producers ruining movie sequels with their silly demands is common enough! The franchise was a sinking boat by now anyways.
Yeah, consider that this is a reboot commanded by those who ruined Spider-Man 3.
I consider Spider-Man 2 by far the best comic superhero movie ever made, yes, including the Dark Knight (which just had the best individual acting performance).
Dark reboot suggests that comic book movies are now entering the dark age comic books are just starting to learn was an incredibly stupid idea.
*ultra gasps* Really?! You liked it more than V for Vendetta and Watchmen[while a graphic novel, I feel we could throw it in comic book territory just because]? How about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Movie, man!? C'mon! xP Granted SM2 is surely my fave of the series and one of my favorite movies to watch, I can see where you're coming from. And how about the old school Supermans? Who can forget the Bams and Kerplunks of 1970s Batman? LOL
Also...Castor...I...saw SM3 again for the first time[but was on TV so it wasn't a straight sit-through viewing] since theaters this christmas break and the movie definitely...was funny. lol Almost...not taking itself serious in parts. I wouldn't not watch it if it was on TV and nothing else was on. 😛
And about this reboot. I'm glad Raimi did this. Movie companies get so much power and think they could boss people around, Raimi's decision hopefully will influence other producers/directors/etc to step down when they feel the pressure of the money hungry companies ruining fans' dreams. I'm excited[and abit scared] to see which way they'll go with this reboot. We know it goes back to hig school, which is pretty cool if you ask me.
I, for one, am really looking forward to this reboot. Spider-Man is my favorite superhero (well, perhaps second to Booster Gold) and I never really felt the movies did justice to what I like about the character. Putting Peter Parker back in high school excites me, because one of the things I dislike about the Raimi movies is that it glosses over that era. I'm also not crazy about Tobey Maguire, so the recast is fine with me.
The thing that bugs me is the claim fof grittiness. I hope this movie takes a few cues from the absolutely amazing Spectacular Spider-Man animated series that's been running over the past couple years, and the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. Spider-Man isn't by nature a gritty character, and if the movie's going to be gritty I hope they work hard at finding the right balance.
I, for one, am really looking forward to this reboot. Spider-Man is my favorite superhero (well, perhaps second to Booster Gold) and I never really felt the movies did justice to what I like about the character. Putting Peter Parker back in high school excites me, because one of the things I dislike about the Raimi movies is that it glosses over that era. I'm also not crazy about Tobey Maguire, so the recast is fine with me.
The thing that bugs me is the claim fof grittiness. I hope this movie takes a few cues from the absolutely amazing Spectacular Spider-Man animated series that's been running over the past couple years, and the Ultimate Spider-Man comics. Spider-Man isn't by nature a gritty character, and if the movie's going to be gritty I hope they work hard at finding the right balance.
Amen to that, brother! Show is wonderful! But yea...I have no idea what the deal is with this "dark/gritty" stuff. If they're trying to follow in Batman Begins' light, then stop. Batman is dark. It's in his nature/story/life. Don't force something on a franchise if it's not needed[SEGA please read that xP].
The thing that bothers me about this is that Spider-Man isn't a dark and gritty character. Batman is, that's why those movies work for him. Spider-Man is light-hearted and fun. It would be like taking Spongebob and making him a cigar smoking, gun-totting killing machine. It doesn't work.
It would be like taking Spongebob and making him a cigar smoking, gun-totting killing machine.
That would be so awesome. 8D
I wonder if they could have a grittier take on the Spider-Man franchise without making it a grittier take on the character. The plot could have a grittier take on super-villainy without necessarily making Spider-Man himself "gritty."
But by doing so would be like... "Back In Black" which in turn gave us One More Day and most people knows what happened after that. What I'm trying to say is that Spider-Man doesn't need the dark, gritty atmosphere because it's not needed. I was worried when Batman Begins did SO well that now everyone wants ever character to become dark and gritty as a new fad, kinda like what happened after The Dark Knight Returns in the later 80, early 90's.
This just calls to mind the "Man of Steel" gritty reboot rumors. *shudder*
It would be like taking Spongebob and making him a cigar smoking, gun-totting killing machine.
That would be so awesome. 8D
Really...would it be, TTG?
But yea...I agree Dirk. If they can keep SM, himself, lighthearte and whatnot, and only affect the story, i'm down. Otherwise...*refers to above*
Too soon for a reboot.
Forget MJ and have Spidey with Gwen!
Too soon? So I take it you're atleast on my side about not wanting a Fantastic Four reboot then, right? But yo...Gwen is hot stuff, fa sho'. 
I didn't watch FF movie.
I dunno about hot stuff but I just remember liking the interaction between Spidey and Gwen. My memory is sketchy and I'm sure I may have a different opinion if I felt like reading them again.
Forget MJ and have Spidey with Gwen!
<- only if she's like this
I liked how Mary Jane was more comic-y in that show. In Ultimate and the movies, she's.... well, that, PSX.
The one thing I'm a bit confused about is that the reason Sam Raimi left is because he couldn't make the summer 2011 release date that Sony was insisting upon...
... so he leaves, and then Sony begins plans for a reboot without him...
... to be released in summer 2012.
Which, of course, means that they're not that committed to having the movie out in summer 2011... which means Raimi essentially left for no reason. Right?
No, I'm sure Raimi would have left if they told him they were doing the reboot, since it's restarting everything he build for the past decade.
*ultra gasps* Really?! You liked it more than V for Vendetta and Watchmen[while a graphic novel, I feel we could throw it in comic book territory just because]? How about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Movie, man!? C'mon! xP Granted SM2 is surely my fave of the series and one of my favorite movies to watch, I can see where you're coming from. And how about the old school Supermans? Who can forget the Bams and Kerplunks of 1970s Batman? LOL
Easily. Watchmen is a rote adaptation that didn't quite get the essence of the source. Spider-Man 2 managed to surpass my very high standards and expectations for it, particularly in handling Doc Ock and choreographing his fights, which is amazing, since if the fight scenes had been even slightly different I wouldn't have been satisfied. Pretty much everything about it is just right, except that I would've liked more comedy. It went far above the source.
And Spiderman 3 is underrated. The 'Spiderdouche' and 'Jazz Club' bits are hilarious and fantastic bits of pure Raimi insanity. Also, the movie gave me and my friends a great in-joke: "SO good."
I thought it was underrated until I watched it again, and the dumb is just too painful for the awesome to overtake it. The Sandman origin scene is probably my favorite part. Raimi doesn't get a pass just because he was forced to include a character he hated, though: the climax could have been much less stupid with just a little script improvement.
Hmmm...yea WM was disappointing to the GN readers and hardcore crowd, but to the new and hopeful viewers I think it was received rather well. The fights in SM2 were done extremely well...agreed. Honestly though, I was a big fan of the storyline. The love story mostly. >.> If the fights were just slightly different you wouldn't have been satisfied, huh? Dang, that's haha saying alot. xD!
In related news, look what I just noticed (I'm slow, I know) in the new Ironman 2 trailer...
Oh yeah, the suit's getting a redesign,one more evocative of the comics.
Wait...the one on the left is the one we saw in the trailer? Really? Good eye TTG, I had no idea. lol
That's pretty funny because Iron Man's getting another redesign in the comics
Iron Man has had more work done than Joan Rivers.
I'm still going to see this movie when it comes out (May 7th).
