Marc Webb excited about directing ‘Spider-Man 4′
By IANSWednesday, January 20, 2010
LOS ANGELES - After filmmaker Sam Raimi and lead actor Tobey Maguire walked out, Marc Webb has been roped in to wield the megaphone for the fourth instalment of the much awaited “Spider-Man” franchise. The director is excited and says it’s a dream come true.
“This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more aware of the challenge, responsibility or opportunity. Sam Raimi’s virtuoso rendering of ‘Spider-Man’ is an humbling precedent to follow and build upon,” he said.
“The first three films are loved for good reason. But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well. I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam. That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant.
“I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to ‘Spider-Man’,” he added.
Slated for a 2012 release, the production for the movie will begin later this year under the Golden Globe nominated director, said a joint statement released by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Penned by American screenwriter James Vanderbilt, the movie, which will have a new actor playing the title role, will show teenager Peter Parker (Spider-Man) dealing with both contemporary human problems and superhuman crises in high school.
Commenting on the announcement, Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said: “We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.”
Added Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures: “We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter’s shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety, and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man’s adventure.”
Producers Avi Arad (Marvel Comics head) and movie mogul Laura Ziskin also echoed the same.
“Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary story-tellers have done with the comic books. He is an incredibly talented filmmaker and we look forward to working closely with him on this new adventure,” they said jointly.
Maguire and Raimi reportedly quit over script issues.
