"Spidey 3" Swinging Into Action

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,13626,00.html

 

"Spidey 3" Swinging Into Action

 

by Josh Grossberg

Oh, what tangled webs they weave, when they practice to achieve--at the box office.

 

Spider-Man 2 isn't even finished, but Sony is so confident the would-be blockbuster will be a blockbuster that the studio has given the green light to a third big-screen adventure featuring Marvel's signature superhero.

 

 

In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, Marvel Studios Chairman and CEO Avi Arad confirmed that "Spider-Man 3 is in development" and that the sequel will likely swing into theaters by 2007, though it's possible the movie could arrive earlier.

 

"The best case scenario I can tell you [is] 2006. It is a big movie, and we would rather play it safe and talk about 2007 at this point," Arad said.

 

A rep for Sony confirmed on Wednesday that the two studios have agreed to move forward on a new Spider-Man, but declined to elaborate further.

 

Despite published reports saying otherwise, there's no official word yet whether director Sam Raimi will be back behind the cameras, but Tobey Maguire will likely suit up again as our friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, having previously signed to do two sequels.

 

Given the record-setting success of the first Spider-Man flick--it grossed $115 million in its first three days alone on its way to $800 million worldwide in 2002--and the expected boffo business for this summer's sequel, the odds favor Raimi returning for a third go-round.

 

Spider-Man 2, formerly titled The Amazing Spider-Man, is due to open wide on July 2.

 

The original Spider-Man was written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park) and its follow-up by a committee of writing talent, including Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist (and avowed comic fiend) Michael Chabon. No word yet on whom Sony will recruit to pen the next installment or on which villains Spidey will tackle.

 

Last time out Peter Parker's arachnid-loving alter ego smacked down Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin; in this summer's sequel he's up against Alfred Molina's multi-tentacled Dr. Octopus.

 

For Spider-Man 3 to make it into theaters by 2006, Sony will need to figure out dates to accommodate Maguire & Co.'s busy schedules.

 

When it came time to do Spider-Man 2, Maguire's participation seemed in doubt due to a bad back sustained while shooting Seabiscuit and amid reports the actor wasn't happy with his paycheck. There were even reports Sony was ready to replace him with Jake Gyllenhaal, but the two sides eventually worked things out.

 

The budget could also be a concern. It will take lots of money to bring back the talent for Spider-Man 3 and pay for the pricey F/X--Spider-Man 2's final cost was reportedly around $200 million, a sizable increase over the original's film's $120 million budget.

 

But we're guessing the money and timing issues will be worked out. And that should make Spidey fans' senses tingle big time.

[Guest El Satanico]

damnit...why'd they change the title of the sequel. I liked it being called the amazing spider-man ala the comic and I was hoping for part three to have one of the other spider-man comic titles.

[2GOLD 0]

Wonder what role Bruce Campbell will have in Spidey 3.

 

That's the only info I'm curious about.

[Guest Anglesault]

I hope they pull out Kingpin and Rhino for this one.

[Guest Askewniverse]

I think Kingpin is only going to be used in Daredevil movies.

[Guest Anglesault]

That would be stupid.

 

I'd believe the "Marvel Universe" better if Duncan showed up to harass Spidey.

[Tawren 0]

I hope they pull out Kingpin and Rhino for this one.

 

Give me Kraven or give me death.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Brock Lesnar as Venom!!! It HAS to happen for me.

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

I want to see Electro before all is said and done with this series.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

I want to see Electro before all is said and done with this series.

 

He'll probably get the Green Goblin treatment. Spandexless.

[Guest El Satanico]

spandexless is good...unless you're superman.

 

Power Rangers villian costumes not so good...but spandexless is still a good thing.