For a franchise that has earned Sony billions, Sam Raimi's Spider-Man legacy met its end swiftly and tragically, its radioactive hero left with little more to do than dangle from a fire escape wiping websnot from his nose. The resulting "reboot" was to be everything Hollywood is currently obsessed with: leaner, younger, darker, New Moonier. James Cameron could barely conceal his contempt in dismissing the material as "sloppy seconds," as if Mary Jane Watson was some oral-herpes-covered school slut proposing they make out under the bleachers. Who, then, would handle this spider-tainted material?
According to Vulture (yes! Vulture! The very scavenger that toppled the franchise in the first place!), that honor goes to (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb. Heavily rumored as a front-runner for the first film, Webb -- who chairman Amy Pascal sees as "a latter-day Cameron Crowe for the economically and socially angsty Generation Y," they write -- has actually been offered the next three Spider-Man films. The move saves them money up front, as he is rumored to earn $10 million for the first, plus far more down the line, as his deal doesn't include the hefty 25% of the profits written into Raimi's and star Tobey Maguire's contracts.
Gentlemen...start your catchphrases!
"With great power comes a giant shit on my face. Literally."
Hmm. Might need some finessing.
ยท Vulture Exclusive: Sony Offers (500) Days of Summer Director Marc Webb the Next Three Spider-Mans [Vulture]