It's official - 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb will be the man in charge of the next Spider-Man movie... and then another couple after that. But, he says, he's not taking over from Sam Raimi. Whuh?
Call Webb's denial a matter of semantics:
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 a humbling precedent to follow and build upon. The first three films are beloved 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.
Webb signing on for a new Spider-Man trilogy ends the speculation about who would be in charge of Sony's most successful movie franchise and, according to a statement from co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Amy Pascal and president of Columbia Pictures Matt Tolmach, he got the job because of what he could bring to Spidey's less colorful alter-ego:
At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world. The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker's life. 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. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.
With the next Spider-Man movie due in summer 2012, expect rumors and announcements about new cast members sooner rather than later, but are there that many people not thinking that Webb will bring his Summer leading man Joseph Gordon-Levitt with him?
It's Official! Marc Webb to Direct Spider-Man! [Coming Soon]