Spider-Man 4 Squashed

It looks like Spider-man won’t be swinging by your multiplex next summer: Sony Pictures has decided to scrap the current franchise and reboot the Spider-Man films without director Sami Raimi at the helm. The next film will bring things all the way back to Peter Parker’s high school years when the angst-ridden teen was still trying to find his sea… err…spiderlegs. “Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me,” said Raimi in a press release. “While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job.” Raimi’s first two films, Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2, which starred Tobey Maguire, above, hold the rare distinction of being acclaimed by both fans and critics alike. Spider-Man 3 made history by having the largest box office opening weekend ever – a record it held until the release of The Dark Knight.

According to studio heads, the new script will be written by James Vanderbilt, best known for writing John McTiernan’s military thriller Basic (2003) and David Fincher’s Zodiac (2007). "Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. "We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter." Spider-Man 4 was slated for release in 2011, the new Spider-Man film is slinging for a 2012 release. –JOE GALBO