Next 'Spider-Man' will hit theaters in 3D

This was bound to happen, so it doesn't surprise me the least bit. Columbia today confirmed it will be releasing the new "Spider-Man" film in 3D. Release date is currently planned for July 3, 2012.

Marc Webb will direct the new "Spider-Man" film, which follows Peter Parker in high school. James Vanderbilt wrote the script, and I hear the film will start shooting later this year already.

"Spider-Man is the ultimate summer moviegoing experience, and we're thrilled the filmmakers are presenting the next installment in 3D," said Jeff Blake, chairman of Sony Pictures (via Variety).

Is all of this a good idea? That I won't really know until I see the film, but what I can tell you is that I am not at all excited about this right now. They should've left Spidey alone for a while. It just seems too early.

Columbia kills 'Spider-Man 4' and plans reboot!

Whoa! No more 'Spider-Man' with Raimi and co. Columbia plans reboot of series

Last week Sony decided to put "Spider-Man 4' on hold because script problems delayed plans to head into production this year, and today comes the announcement that Columbia has officially killed the fourth installment in the series.

The bad news is that the studio now plans to reboot the whole franchise, and Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will not return. Even worse: the plan is to send Peter Parker back to high school. What the hell are they thinking?

In a press release, Columbia said the new film will feature new filmmakers and actors. The plan is to release the flick in 2012, and it will be based on a script by James Vanderbilt. More news on this so-called reboot will be released soon.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre," said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

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Movie release date changes: 'Thor' & 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'

Kenneth Branagh's "Thor" has secured May 6, 2011 as release date... for now. Paramount decided to move up the action adventure from its original May 20, 2011 date, following Sony's decision to delay the production of "Spider-Man 4."

Spidey was originally set tor release May 6, but at this stage, it's not sure Sony will be able to finish the film in time. Variety says "Thor" may move dates again in case "Spider-Man 4" gets completed to make its original date.

Meanwhile, Disney also reacted to the delay and set "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" for release May 20, 2011. Nobody know what will happen to that if "Thor" were to switch back to that date again. It's all up in the air right now.

No 'Spider-Man 4' for a while; project on hold!

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man won't be swinging by your local theater for a while...

Spidey may not make it in time for the scheduled May 6, 2011 release date of Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man 4," because Sony has put the project on hold for now. The reason is quite simple: the script still sucks. Well, it's not ready yet.

Raimi told MTV last year the fourth installment in the popular series would start shooting in March 2010, and Sony later shot for a February start date. None of this is happening, and the project is on ice until script issues are fully resolved.

As Variety points out, a bunch of folks already took a stab at the script, including David Koepp and James Vanderbilt. Right now, Alvin Sargent is working on the story. That said, Sony will still try to release the film in 2011.

As far as I'm concerned, they better turn this script into something great. I loved the first two films, but the third one unfortunately failed to win me over. It looks like the original cast will be back, so story is all they have to focus and worry about now.

Saturday film news web roundup: Lars von Trier picks next film; Roland Emmerich talks projects

It's Saturday again, and here's a brief entry with short descriptions and links to film news we either missed or quite honestly didn't have time to add. Here's what you need to know on October 10, 2009:

• Filmmaker Lars von Trier will next write and direct a disaster film titled "Planet Melancholia." Plot details are kept under wraps, but I'm sure we're in for a visually stunning film. Trier last helmed "Antichrist." "Planet Melancholia" should be ready by the time Cannes rolls around in 2011. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Roland Emmerich recently talked to Coming Soon about some upcoming projects, and he said he will do a film about "how it came to be that William Shakespeare was not the author of his plays." He's also planning a movie titled "Foundation," based on Isaac Asimov's series. More here.

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Gary Ross to write and direct 'Venom'

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

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

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.

Sam Raimi gives quick 'Spider-Man 4' update

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.

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

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.