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Thursday

08Oct2009

Gary Ross to write and direct 'Venom'

Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 12:41AM | By

Gary Ross is working out a deal with Columbia to rewrite and possibly direct "Venom," the “Spider-Man” spinoff that's been in development for quite a while already. It's based on one of Spidey's tough villains.

In "Spider-Man 3," Venom was played by Topher Grace, who played Peter Parker's rival and is later transformed into Spidey's opponent after being infected by a nasty alien organism sticking to his skin.

Variety says it is unlikely Grace will return to reprise the role, as the studio is looking to start a potential "Venom" franchise from scratch. In the film, Venom is the antihero turning into a defender of the innocent.

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Monday

17Aug2009

James Vanderbilt to write 'Spider-Man 5 & 6'

Monday, August 17, 2009 at 12:38AM | By

"Spider-Man" is entering "Saw" territory as Sony is planning to develop at least a fifth and sixth film in the popular series that kicked of with Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" in 2002. That's right, Spidey will continue to protect the neighborhood on the big-screen for who knows how long.

From Variety comes the news that James Vanderbilt is set to write "Spider-Man 5" and "Spider-Man 6." Vanderbilt started writing the upcoming "Spider-Man 4," which was rewritten by David Lindsay-Abaire and then Gary Ross. That film is set for release in May 2011.

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Wednesday

08Jul2009

Today in Hollywood: 'Transformers 2' reaches $300M; Gary Ross to rewrite 'Spider-Man 4'

Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 7:22PM | By

Here's what's up in Hollywood today:

• Michael Bay's "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has officially crossed the $300 million mark. The action sequel pulled in $5.7 million Tuesday, lifting its domestic total to $305.5 million. "Fallen" is currently ranked No. 29 on the list of all-time domestic grosses. "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" led Tuesday with a daily gross of $7 million.

• Gary Ross is set to rewrite Sam Raimi's upcoming sequel "Spider-Man 4." James Vanderbilt and David Lindsay-Abaire have already worked on the script for the fourth installment, which is expected to hit theaters May 6, 2011. Ross also directed "Pleasantville" and "Seabiscuit." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• EW reports Cameron Diaz is in talks to join Seth Rogen in Michel Gondry's upcoming "The Green Hornet." Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the script, which follows the adventures of Britt Reid, who inherits his dad's newspaper and fights crime as a masked hero at night. Diaz is currently on-screen in "My Sister's Keeper." Watch out for her in "The Box" later this year.

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Tuesday

21Apr2009

Sam Raimi gives quick 'Spider-Man 4' update

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at 9:55PM | By

Sam Raimi is currently promoting his upcoming horror flick "Drag Me to Hell," but of course, reports can't resist asking him about "Spider-Man 4." As Sci Fi Wire reports, Raimi is about to meet with Kirsten Dunst to talk about her potential return as Mary Jane Watson. "I'm hoping that she is going to come aboard, and I've got a meeting coming up with her," he said.

When asked whether the fourth film will be darker or edgier, Raimi said, "Whatever it is, I think will be a direct result of the best style to bring about our writer's screenplay. And as soon as I read that, I will know what that is. Edgy could be a direction, but I don't think it will be applied without really understanding the character's journey from the inside out first and then figuring out the best way to bring that about."

Sci Fi Wire's got more from Raimi, and you can check out the rest of the interview here. "Drag Me to Hell" opens May 29, 2009. "Spider-Man 4" is currently set for release May 6, 2011. Whatever Raimi does with this fourth film, I sure hope it will turn out better than No. 3.

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Thursday

12Mar2009

'Avengers' pushed back; 'Spidey 4' gets date

Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 5:46PM | By

Marvel Studios has set and moved around several release dates for some of its upcoming superhero films.

First and foremost, "The Avengers" is now scheduled to open May 4, 2012. The film's original release date was July 15, 2011.

Marvel has also set the release for "Spider-Man 4" to May 6, 2011. "Thor" will open June 17 the same year, pushed away from its original 2010 release.

Finally, "The First Avenger: Captain America" will arrive in theaters July 22, 2011. As for "Iron Man 2," it's still set to open May 7, 2010.

Even though some 2011 spots have not been filled by other studios, it sure looks like Marvel will dominate the summer of 2011.

I'm willing to wait for "The Avengers" a little longer. To be honest, the one I'm looking forward most among these flick is "Iron Man 2," and luckily, it'll be the first to open.

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Monday

02Feb2009

Daily news dose: Poul to direct 'Plan B,' 'Spider-Man 4' shooting in Michigan?

Monday, February 2, 2009 at 11:10PM | By

Here's your dose of film news for Feb. 3, 2009:

• Alan Poul is in talks to direct Jennifer Lopez in "Plan B," about a women who meets her dream boy on the same day she's going through artificial insemination. Poul's credits include episodes for "Six Feet Under" and "Rome." Lopez last starred in "El Cantante." (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Rupert Friend, Ioan Gruffudd, Natascha McElhone and Liam Cunningham have joined Nick Moran's "The Kid," about an abused child who manages to pull himself out of a bad lifestyle to start over. The film is an adaptation of Kevin Lewis' book. (Variety)

• In a recent interview with The Oakland Press, Sam Raimi said he is considering shooting select scenes for "Spider-Man 4" in his home state of Michigan. "I'll be looking at Michigan for our second-unit photography on the new 'Spider-Man' film," he told the Press.

• Dean Parisot is set to direct Universal's remake of "Slap Shot." The original fil starred Paul Newman as the coach of a minor league hockey team. Peter Steinfeld is writing the screenplay. Parisot also helmed the remake of "Fun With Dick and Jane." (Variety)

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Friday

31Oct2008

Lindsay-Abaire to write ‘Spider-Man 4’

Friday, October 31, 2008 at 7:50AM | By

Columbia Pictures’ sequel “Spider-Man 4” is slowly coming together. According to the Hollywood, David Lindsay-Abaire is in talks to write the screenplay for the fourth Spidey adventure.

Lindsay-Abaire is a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose critically acclaimed and award-winning drama “Rabbit Hole” debuted on Broadway in 2006.

In Hollywood, the writer recently adapted Cornelia Funke’s novel “Inkheart” for director Iain Softley. He also helped develop the story for 2005’s animated flick “Robots.”

As for “Spider-Man 4,” Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are back in action. The trade says Kirsten Dunst may also return to reprise her role as Mary Jane.

Final words: Good luck on the writing process Mr. Lindsay-Abaire. Please make this follow-up a more intriguing one than the disappointing “Spider-Man 3.”

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Tuesday

30Sep2008

Kirsten Dunst in ‘Spider-Man 4’?

Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 4:41PM | By

At this stage, it’s just one of those rumors again. MTV recently talked to Kirsten Dunst about her new flick “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People,” and they obviously couldn’t resist asking about her potential involvement in “Spider-Man 4.”

Her response, however, was not among the clearest. “I’m in,” she said first, before playing it safer by adding, “I’m not saying anything, I know there’s rumors…”

Huh? Definitely leaves me puzzled. So there you go, maybe she wants to star in the flick but hasn’t received an offer yet? Maybe it’s all a lie and she never wanted to return anyway. Who knows?

Anyway, Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire are ready to return for a fourth and fifth Spidey adventure, but Dunst’s potential role in all this has yet to be confirmed.

Head over to MTV to read more about this.

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Thursday

31Jul2008

‘Spider-Man’ spinoff to head into development

Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 9:40AM | By

Sony is gearing up for the development of “Venom,” a “Spider-Man” spinoff based on the villain who appeared in Spidey’s third installment last year.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony already took a look at a draft written by Jacob Estes (screenwriter of “Mean Creek”), but the studio is currently seeking new writers to pen the script.

One question that comes up at this point is the potential cast. Topher Grace played Venom in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 3,” but at this stage it’s unclear whether the studio will try to bring him back.

The good thing about this is that in the third “Spider-Man” flick, Venom was essentially a parasite looking for a host. This opens up more choices when it comes to casting a lead actor.

Personally, I think Venom did not receive the development it deserved in “Spider-Man 3.” In fact, it was the first villain in the franchise I really didn’t care about a bit. With a bit of luck, the screenwriters will do the character justice this time.

Although “Venom” is a clear departure from the “Spider-Man” series, Sony is currently developing “Spider-Man 4,” which should hit theaters in 2011.

I really wouldn’t mind watching a “Venom” feature, but considering the recent awesomeness of “Iron Man” and “The Dark Knight,” the scribes now face a massive challenge. Fans now expect so much more from a superhero movie, and they have every right to do so.

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