News
Sam Raimi on Spider-Man 4 and The Shadow
Source:Ryan Rotten
October 16, 2007
Superhero Hype! got a chance to talk to 30 Days of Night producer and "Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi today. He was asked about the status of Spider-Man 4.
"Right now, Sony is meeting with different writers to try and bring a fresh new story and approach to the 'Spider-Man' franchise," Raimi told us, "so I've been in meetings with Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, the producers, and Amy Pascal. Different writers have been coming in and spinning different tales of where 'Spider-Man' can go from here."
Asked about The Shadow, Columbia Pictures' adaptation of the legendary 1930s pulp hero, Raimi added, "I don't have any news on 'The Shadow' at this time, except that the company that I have with Josh Donen, my producing partner, we've got the rights to 'The Shadow.' I love the character very much and we're trying to work on a story that'll do justice to the character."
Posted by: sangjin on April 2, 2008 at 01:19:58
nothing
Posted by: Dear Sam on April 2, 2008 at 01:54:50
Please don't recast the role of Mary Jane with MAggie Gyllenhall.
Posted by: orange cinema on April 2, 2008 at 04:13:25
sam needs to do just one more spidey flick to redeem himself of the nightmare that was SM3. i dont care how much $ it made, he owes it to himself to close out his spider-man involvement on a better note than that mess. i'm waiting for the dark knight more than any movie i can ever remember, and i know if raimi gave it his best, he could come up with a spidey film that could compete with TDK.
Posted by: James Donnelly on April 2, 2008 at 05:52:24
PLEASE PLEASE GIVE US A SHADOW FILM, SAM! I don't think that Spidey really needs a fourth film as much as The Shadow needs a good reboot. Something super-pulpy, and not the nonsensical but fun Russell Mulcahy/Alec Baldwin film. He doesn't turn invisible. He just moves fast enough to blend with the shadows, like in the original Gibson novels and the later comics by O'Neil and Kaluta.
Posted by: Daniel on April 2, 2008 at 07:38:33
what r u talking about 'nightmare'?! SM3 was freakin' awesome! yeah, im talking 2 u orangecinema!
Posted by: David on April 2, 2008 at 08:10:29
Daniel you fanboy ****, are derraged and mentally retarded with an IQ of 0, any fool can see that SM3 was a stinking pile of ****, and I'm the biggest spidey fan in this part of the world.
Orange cinema you have down right mate, TDK, is setting a very high standard, and it hasnt even opened yet, If raimi pulls his finger out of his arse and gets a clue, SM4 could be a stand up movie along side TDK, and if it goes right a viral campaign like TDK might do well to market it right.
Posted by: Vortex on April 2, 2008 at 10:19:14
Wow I guess my IQ must also be 0! Jeez I had no idea I was such a deranged mentally retarded moron. And all based on the fact that I also loved Spiderman 3 and thought it was by far the best of the 3 movies. Hmmm. Guess I should go jump off a bridge now because with how pathetic and useless I clearly am, I simply have no right to go on living.
Thank you David, you have opened my eyes.
And here I was thinking the wholly three dimensional and totally amazing spectacle that was the Sandman ran over the Green Power Ranger from the first movie like a mack truck and then backed over him and re ran him over another 16 times with his sheer awesomeness.
But clearly your opinion is the correct one here. So I concede to you. You are clearly the better and more enlightened person here.
Now where can I find a bridge high enough?
...
Posted by: Vortex on April 2, 2008 at 13:28:56
I personally would LOVE to see the Lizard in SM4. The lizard is my favorite Spidey villain. But I am not sure he could handle the movie all by himself. I think if he was the only villain, he would HALF to talk. But I think that won't translate well into a movie. A talking Velociraptor? I think he should be mindless and fully bestial. But then you'd need someone else to deal with. I personally think Venom should be the MAIN vaillain, but they seemed to have killed him off (worst idea ever) So maybe someone else to scheme in the background?
Posted by: james on April 2, 2008 at 15:24:54
SM4 should have Carnage! That would be awesome! And find a way to bring Venom back! Lizard would be pretty cool to see as well. Visually i think that Rhino would be a pretty cool villain to see, same with Scorpion....hell i guess the Sinister Six would be interesting to see, but i'm not sure how they would do that.
Posted by: james on April 2, 2008 at 15:26:48
But bottom line is Venom and Carnage for SM4! or at VERY least, let us, the fans, know when Carnage will be seen (i love Carnage and Venom) and why Venom was treated like crap in SM3!
Posted by: Anicent Fanboy on April 2, 2008 at 16:11:12
Spider-man 3 was ok,but not as good as the second. Raimi should have been allowed to do what he originally wanted.
Which was the Vulture and the Sandman,Raimi's a old school Spidey fan. The newer stuff of the 80's and 90's just isn't as great as the older villains.
Doc Conners as the Lizard would be the next logically step,but I know he's not as visually arresting as Venom and Carnage.
But Ben Kingsley was set to play old baldy. It would have been sweet. Oh well.
Now if he could do the Shadow like an old pulp novel fantastic! No Margo Lane though,she was invented for the radio series.
Posted by: Steven The Comic Book Artist on April 2, 2008 at 17:06:50
Hey, everyone!
I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed with Spider-man 3. Please keep in mind that I've been a Spidey fan for my entire life. Being a writer (as well as an artist) I started piecing together my version of Spidey 3 based on the previous 2 films (as well as taking into account some elements from movie 3 that I felt were salvagable).
Here is my version of the Spider-man 3 flick:
*First of all, no Sandman (he was only put in the movie because he's Sam Raimi's favorite Spidey villain). I'd use Sandman in a future sequel. Didn't care for the character in 3. They tried to give him a redeeming (backed into a corner) quality. In my mind he's kind of a bastard and is out for himself. Thomas Haden Church was a good choice, but I would've liked to have seen a meaner and deadlier Flint Marko played by him. One of the things about his story I didn't like was that they introduced his wife and kid in just one scene and then, POOF, they're gone. We never see them again. Ultimately you never get any follow through on them at the end. Sandman felt (to me) like he was just fodder and a foil for Spidey to beat down on while under the Venom symbiote's influence. They could've done this AND added story depth and subtext if...
*...Harry becomes the new Green Goblin (not a NEW GOBLIN. Something that Harry creates based on his father Norman's original design, yet more in line with the way that the Goblin is featured in the current comics...i.e. Marvel's Thunderbolts title). Forget the whole amnesia schtick. That was forced, contrived, and cliched'. As my cousin and I were watching it, I mused to him, "Look at Harry! He's flying above the rooftops of Manhatten without a helmet! The kid's gonna endure severe head trauma and lose his memory! Just watch!!!" And sure enough...
Given the above item of the Sandman not being needed for this film, Harry would have given Peter's conflict (turning to the dark side because of the symbiote) an even more affective feel. This also would've further rounded out the dimension of the character of Harry Osborn and his vendetta against our hero.
I would've played up the role of Harry/Goblin as it was in the comics. Harry died because the performance enhancers were gradually poisoning him. In the final act as Spidey takes on both Venom and "Gobby Jr.", Harry (having shown physical signs of succumbing to the poisoning, yet blidely moving forward with his agenda) begins to weaken and gradually dies away. At the last moment, Harry commits a final noble act: He throws himself before Venom as he's about to kill Mary Jane. Harry dies.
*Over all, I liked the way Venom's story was handled. My main thing I didn't like was that I couldn't (initially) see Topher Grace as Eddie Brock. I was more accepting of his being cast given the idea that, thematically, he was Peter's "polar opposite". I would've broadened his infatuation and ultimate obsession with Gwen Stacy. Which leads me to...
*...The women in Peter Parker's life. If you're gonna put a much beloved character like Gwen in the Spidey flicks, TREAT HER WITH THE RESPECT AND LOVE THAT SHE DESERVES!!! In the comics this is Peter's first love (and a tragic one at that...which gives me ideas for Spidey 5, but I digress!). She was drastically under-used and handled poorly. Plus they needed to instill more of her and Peter's attraction to one another (causing more conflict for Peter, with or without the symbiote's influence). In fact, in the final battle sequence at the end Gwen, M.J., and Aunt May would've all been abducted by Venom (and Harry), given that they would see the 3 of them as the 3 most important women in Peter's life (Norman: "ATTACK THE HEART!!!").
Secondly (on the subject of these 3 ladies), we should've seen a little more of Aunt May than we did. And also: Why did they have to play Mary Jane as such a b!#@h?!? I understand her jealousy over Spider-man, but I just couldn't stand her in 3. Oh, and in light of this...
*...Peter and Mary Jane break up. She decides that she can't handle being the girlfriend of a super-hero and the 2 go their seperate ways (though I'd keep her in the series. a little "Betty and Veronica" with her, Peter, and Gwen). This would lead to the end of the movie where Peter catches up to Gwen outside of Dr. Conner's class as Pete tries to apologize for throwing her in M.J.'s face at the jazz club (without the Bob Fossee dance number, mind you. Not to mention the montage of "Peter the Emo-kid" dancing outside of the clothing store...by the way. What the hell was with his hair...BLECH!!!). Gwen decides to accept Peter's apology and confesses to Peter of her fondness for him. The 2 decide to give a 2nd date a chance and Peter makes a quick excuse that he has to keep an appointment when he spots police cars chasing after a perp. This results in "The Final Swing" that was left out of the ending of Spidey 3. That felt like the biggest rip-off, for me. Just like at the end of a Superman movie (where Superman flies above the Earth, looks at the audience and grins), We should see the web-head swinging off into the air above the rooftops of New York. I guess the ending of 3 was supposed to inspire hope for Peter and M.J. in spite of all the trials they've endured in 3, but it just came off as dour and moody to me. Spidey is the everyman of the Marvel Universe pantheon of super-heroes. In spite of the angst, we should feel a sense of wonder and hope for Spidey and his cast.
Well, that's my take on how I would've done it.
I won't go into it now, but this leads to my idea (in my head) of Spidey 4 featuring The Lizard and possibly Peter becoming the beastial "Man-Spider" that he became in the comics. Both would be hunted down by Kraven The Hunter. It's a rough idea, but I've also toyed with the idea of bringing in The Black Cat to watch "Man-Spider" Peter's back.
What about the rest of you?
What are some of your ideas? Post 'em here. I love reading the ideas from other fans!
EXCELSIOR!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Zach on April 2, 2008 at 21:46:33
I actually came up with a story that would branch 3 films. Spidey 4, 5, and 6. That story revolved around three villians. The Lizard (obviously), Hobgoblin, and yes, Carnage. I also threw in Kraven the Hunter, because The Lizard would not be able to carry a 2+ hour film on his own.
I also brought back Venom to help Peter fight Carnage in 6. I explained that by saying he had re-bonded with the symbiote enough that it offered him just enough protection from the explosion.
Posted by: dwdawg on April 2, 2008 at 21:47:44
maybe they could have spidey fight ghost rider, sony does have both characters. I love the man-spider idea that is an awesome idea, but instead of kraven i would have to go with Morbius, like in the original comic.
Posted by: Raimi is a ***** on April 2, 2008 at 21:50:42
Raimi ****ed Spidey 3. I don't want him involved in #4 one chick-flick spidey was too much. NUFF SAID
Posted by: Hes not a ***** on April 2, 2008 at 23:05:05
sams involvement isn't a bad thing. who would u prefer direct? Joel shoemocker?
spiderman 4 will be a movie aimed at 9 yr olds. but it will be incredibly profitable. but to assume it will be great is setting yourself up 4 utter disappointment.
the 4th movie of any series usually warrants the reboot.
Posted by: Patrick on April 3, 2008 at 02:38:24
I would like to see another SM movie, I think the last one was alright, but it would've been better just on one villian instead of two, and if Sam had done it that way, it wouldn't be hard to do a fourth, but if he does make a fourth, he needs to go all out, Kingpin(Micheal Clarke Duncan) needs to be in the movie, and if I was Sam I would've put him in the first movie, but not as the main villian, and have his part get bigger as the sequals progress, that would've been dope, but SM3 should've been about Venom.
Posted by: Patrick on April 3, 2008 at 02:49:23
Progression of characters and villians in a movie is good, it makes a movie good, like re doing Batman I think was great how it all came about and everything. the next comic to movie they do, I think that's how it should be planned out. it makes for better story, movie and sequals.
Posted by: The Steve (is feeling generous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:22:06
Personally, I think you've all just proved my point about how listening to the fans ruins a franchise.
Seriously, stop and really think about some of these suggestions for a second. A Spidey movie where he fights Kraven and the Lizard? Both fun comic book characters, yes but not big budget material. And crossing over Daredevil characters? Yes there is precedence in the comic but do you even remember how unwatchable that movie was? Jesus, let's chuck Senator Kelly at him while we're at it.
And don't even get me started on the dude who suggested Morbius.
Point is movie makers need to think about their bottom line, which they always seem to until the third film when they run out of "A List" characters and start shoving 3 or 4 B listers in there to make up for it because they have it stuck in their heads that a character like Sandman can't hold an entire movie on their own. Obviously I disagree with this.
I truly believe one character at a time with a strong story would draw the franchise out longer and make it stronger. As it is, if a fourth one even goes ahead, I can promise it will be the last.
Posted by: The Steve (is feeling generous) on April 3, 2008 at 11:28:54
And while we're playing armchair producer, if I had had my way, Spidey three would have gone one of two directions:
1)Focus on the "Sandman killed my Uncle" plot, iffy as it may have been, strengthen the roles of Gwen and George Stacy, and, if you're *really* bored, chuck a Lizard subplot in there to use up absolutely no more than 20 minutes of screentime.
OR
2) Lose Sandy until the possible fourth, and start laying the groundwork for a JJJ flip-out with introduction of Scorpion and Spider Slayers.
Or Mysterio would be cool too. But of course, I'm a fanboy so I could be way off.
Posted by: Sean Ryan on April 3, 2008 at 15:15:44
I dont want Sam Raimi Spiderman 4. Get rid of him. Hes not good directing. So please bring action director please Sony Studio bring action director now
Posted by: HorrorStu on April 3, 2008 at 17:34:09
SM4 should have Venom, Carnage and another Superhero. like a cameo in the Cartoons. That would be awesome. But Raimi should make sure that Venom dosent sound retarded, instead Venom should sound like in the Cartoons. He better not F**K UP!!!
Posted by: Steven The Comic Book Artist ! on April 3, 2008 at 23:59:45
Bruce Campbell should be the guy to play Mysterio in a future Spidey flick.
Honestly, I can't come up with a better actor than he to play the part given the character's comic origins. Plus, since M.J.'s an actress, this could tie quite nicely into the plot.
Morbius the living vampire would be a cool additon to a future episode as well. True, he was involved in the Man-Spider storyline. As for another hero, how about Hobie Brown a.k.a. The Prowler? Rocket Racer? Thoughts?
Posted by: v3n0m0917 on April 13, 2008 at 12:47:14
i agree with sean ryan and Horror stu... fire raimi's ass... he is just noot good for the spiderman franchise, instead let them have a action thrilled director who will actually follow the spidey plot from the comics and yes cameo would be awsome and venom, carnage and lizard should be in 4 seeing they already had dylan baker shows for it in 2 and 3... Down with Raimi... eff him bring a better DIRECTOR!!! AND PLZ RECAST THE ROLE OF MJ...KIRSTEN DUNCE IS NOT A GOOD MJ AT ALL... HORRIBLE
Posted by: SonicNiGHT on April 14, 2008 at 10:10:38
Less Talky, More Swingy.
| « Previous Page | | | Page 1 of 2 | | | Total: 28 comments | | | Next Page » |
Add a Comment
Latest Headlines:
Christopher Nolan to Mentor New Superman Movie?
Mark Millar on His Secret Superhero Movie
TMNT and Gatchaman Studio Shuts Down
Tim Robbins Joins Green Lantern Cast
Reese and Wernick on Writing Deadpool
Goyer and Jonah Nolan Writing Next Batman Movie?
Johnston Talks Captain America Costume
Favreau's Cowboys & Aliens Coming July 29, 2011
Red Skull Confirmed as Captain America Villain
Taylor Lautner to Play Stretch Armstrong
Fox Developing Daredevil Reboot
Priest Coming at Audiences in 3D on Jan. 14
Kurtzman and Orci to Adapt Locke & Key
Update: Logan Lerman in Early Talks for Spider-Man?
New Iron Man 2 Video Game Trailer
The Last Airbender Super Bowl Spot
No Plans for a Watchmen Movie Sequel
No Iron Man 2 Super Bowl Spot
DC Entertainment Announcements Just Weeks Away
Captain America to be Cast Soon
|
|
