Why Reboot Spider-Man? Marc Webb Talks Origins, Gwen Stacy, Spoilers, and Spidey's Future
How far ahead had you and James mapped things out, and did you map out a trilogy for Gwen’s character?
Yeah, in broad terms. There were conversations early on, but we hadn’t worked out all the details. It was more about back story than anything else that will manifest itself in future films, I’m sure, if the audience demands.
Say, two sequels from now, will we then see Gwen meet her comic book fate?
Well, you’ll have to wait and see! I’m not going to give that away!
How many of these sequels do you want to come back and do yourself, given how long and taxing these projects are?
I don’t know. This took so long to make. Everybody wants to make a movie right away, and I’m 37. It’s weird to make this metaphor, but I feel like it’s asking a woman who’s just given birth if she wants to get pregnant again. I want to nurse the baby for a little while! I just don’t know, and that’s the inconvenient but absolute truth.
There’s a nice touch within Rhys’s character, Curt Connors, when the lizard’s DNA starts to make his personality more cold-blooded.
Right, the id takes him over.
Once he turns into The Lizard he begins talking to himself, but in your opinion is Curt Connors crazy at any point before the serum changes him? What’s your take on what motivates him?
Hmm. I don’t think he’s crazy initially. I think he’s really desperate. He doesn’t like being an outsider, he doesn’t like being a freak. And this stump on his arm has always made him feel like that. He’s used it as sort of an advertisement; he doesn’t want a prosthetic because it’s what motivates him. And Peter Parker has a missing piece, too — he’s missing his parents. But I think Connors’ character isn’t quite strong enough to withstand what the lizard DNA does. So I think there’s goodness in him, but there’s also a desperation, and I think that desperation corrupts him. So there is some preexisting weakness in his character.
It seems like Spider-Man villains tend to feel much more human than those in other mythologies. Why do you think that is?
I think that’s something in Marvel and in Spider-Man in particular, a lot of the villains are close to Peter and many times have pre-existing relationships with Peter. They’re often mentor figures, but they’re much more complex than evil mustache-twirling villains. Certainly there are characters who are downright bad, in the rogues’ gallery, but I think Stan Lee and Marvel were instrumental in creating villains that were more human.
Emma and Andrew have a great chemistry together. When they first tested together — and they’ve said they had a very extensive, in-costume screen test — what was it you saw in them that felt right?
Casting chemistry, you can’t just throw two actors together and hope they’ll work. You have to see how they behave together, and sometimes that’s evident in previous films, like Emily Blunt and Matt Damon had this great chemistry in The Adjustment Bureau, so you can always trust that they’re going to work together. With this, I knew it was such an important part of the dynamic of the film — what works on paper doesn’t always work on screen if you don’t have the right people. And great actors can sometimes not have great chemistry together. It was interesting, because I didn’t really expect it because Andrew comes from this very deep theatrical, highly trained theater background, British, a very sophisticated temperament. And then Emma comes from Judd Apatow movies and she does improvisational comedy. She’s super funny and really light on her feet and fast, but she’s not this really trained theater actor, she’s something else. What was interesting is the undercurrent of both of those schools is really quite similar; you have to be emotionally honest. That’s what’s most fun about grounded improvisational comedy and what’s most rewarded in highly trained acting. And even though they had very different colors, they merged very well. They were both alive, and aware, and open to the moment, and what happened was this multiplier effect, where she made him more funny, and he made her more deep, and it just — I don’t know how to analyze it beyond that. They’re just really good together. It was clear from the first moment. It was funny and charming and sweet, and a little bit awkward at times, but awkward in exactly the right way.
What did you have them do in that screen test?
The scene in the laboratory and the break-up scene at the end, so there was a little back and forth.
I found myself pulling so hard for them to come back together, which is what should happen in a romantic film.
Oh, good! That was one of the last scenes we shot in the movie, and the specter of it was hanging over us the entire time. We shot it and I was like, “Ah, this is going to be good.”
Did you toy with giving them a different ending?
Yeah. I thought about everything. But there’s something imperfect and sloppy about that that I really like — he’s a kid, he’s a teenager. What would really happen? He does these things that you understand that aren’t necessarily super heroic.
It also emphasizes the bittersweetness of what could happen with these two down the road — as if the fact that Peter and Gwen have such a deep connection is as impossible to ignore as it is dangerous.
Yes — exactly.
Lastly, what was your approach to even writing the post-credits scene? Was it always part of the arc you had planned?
Well, I wanted to acknowledge that the mystery of the parents was ongoing. That’s the long shadow that’s cast over Peter’s life. And I love Curt Connors and I love Rhys [Ifans], and I think it’s important to acknowledge that there are a lot of things going on in this universe even if we’re not aware of them or haven’t seen them in this film. There’s a bigger universe at hand.
Would you identify the shadowy figure we see visiting Connors in his jail cell?
Nope!
Is it a familiar character to the Marvel universe?
I invite your speculation. [Laughs] How can I give that away? I’m sure the internet will provide a lot of interesting ideas. You can choose which one you want.
The Amazing Spider-Man is in theaters now. Did you see it? Leave your Spidey reactions below!
Follow Jen Yamato on Twitter.
Follow Movieline on Twitter.
Pages: 1 2
Subscribe to the new Movieline on YouTube
Comments
They can't kill off Gwen Stacy ... She is way to likable, and its a side of Spider-Man people have never seen before. Its a much fresher love story than what we have had numerous times with Mary Jane. Plus the reason they killed her in the comics was because they had to choose between Peter proposing to her and telling her his true identity of Spider-Man, or having a TRAGIC accident that left her to die. In the movie she knows his identity, so they can stay together. I personally think it would be bad marketing to kill her, but its also bad marketing not to have Mary Jane... That is why you have Emma Stone dye her hair back red and be Mary Jane 😀 lol. You have to at least keep her till the third. Possibly introduce Mary Jane in the next one, and have her and Harry around, as they were in the comics. Maybe volture or venom can be the villain in the next movie, (because Spider-Man 3 did venom no justice). Then the green goblin in the third, or you introduce some of the more popular villains in the Spider-Man saga that have never had justice outside of video games. I'm just saying that it would be great to have a fresher spider-man with new villains and a somewhat less popular girlfriend in Gwen Stacy. P.S. I wish that Marc Webb could read my ideas! 😀
I totally agree! It would be nice to show a side of Spider-Man that has somewhat been neglected in all the movies except this one! I would like to see Venom in the 2nd and maybe finally we will get to see Carnage in the third!!! That would be epic since the 4th was cancelled before we got to see him! Lets face it Venom is arguably spideys biggest villain and we havent seen a good one, because Spiderman 3 didnt show venom well at all!!!
I absolutely agree with what you have to said about killing Gwen Stacy. They shouldn't kill her. I would be so upset that I would go into a depression and not leave the house for like weeks. lol. This IS a different Spider-Man story, so they should let Peter get his happy ending with Gwen. He deserves it. So Mark Webb, if you kill Gwen Stacy in the Amazing Spider-Man film franchise, I WILL BE VERY ANGRY!!! thank you.
I 100% Agree Gwen was hardly mentioned in the first installment and yes MJ is a huge character too but Gwen was his FIRST love and it would be bad marketing to kill of Gwen but put MJ as a side character but I love Gwen's character and I love the chemistry between Andrew and Emma...sure it helps that they really are a couple but I think that it would be insanely hard for a new actress to have to rekindle that chemistry if Gwen is killed off and I just love where this story could go with there love 🙂
if any one can get in touch with Marc Webb tell him he specifically said that this story line was the UNTOLD STORY of SPIDER MAN, you cant kill Gwen off it has already been done, drew was so right, the only reason why they killed her off was because peter had to make a choice of proposing to Gwen or giving up his other side. he is way to young to handle marriage, and he obviously gave the secret up. introduce Mary Jane, but she should be with Harry Osborn so there isn't any jealousy. green goblin should be the next villain who has just recovered from his sickness, and do the same thing like in the comics, make spidey choose from saving the school bus and Gwen, it is stormy out so the web he uses to save her is struck by lightning and it conducts it when hitting Gwen. and the school bus is safe with all the kids. and save her in the mid credit scene. she can only be save by taking the electricity out, and the doctor explains that in the movie,and the only one who can do that from the comics is Electro. and there is the new bad guy. but there should another way for her to get hurt because the decision between the school bus and the girl has been done in a movie already, and some fan jerks will comment "that's BS it has already been done before". and if you do more than a trilogy put venom and carnage in XD. if you are reading this Marc Webb and you haven't thought of this yet, well here you go a present that came totally free
I agree.I want a fresh take on this story and Gwen was originally supposed to marry Peter. 'Plus the reason they killed her in the comics was because they had to choose between Peter proposing to her and telling her his true identity of Spider-Man, or having a TRAGIC accident that left her to die.'
Pretty much.There should be at least one incarnation of the story that follows Stan's original plan.I'm hoping it's this one.But Mary Jane should still make an appearance.I'd be sad if we didn't see her get some fame in this take.
I can't stand this - they say this in every interview. Gwen Stacey was NOT Spidey's first love. Peter Parker's first love was Mary Brandt, a clerk at the Daily Bugle. Then he got "involved" with Mary Jane - but it was always at arms length. Then came along Gwen and he fell big. And then "spoiler alert" Gwen died and then, and only then and much later, he got involved back with Mary Jane.
On the Today Show, Emma Stone (who I love) said that Gwen was Spidey's first love - not true. The director keeps saying this - and its not true. In fact when the first movies came out a decade ago I kept wondering where was Gwen and why were they pushing MJ? You have to understand these new producers and directors rarely care what is "true".
Actually the character's name is Betty Brant, not Mary Brandt. And while Betty was his first true love, Gwen Stacy was his first real girlfriend. I'm guessing since she was a less known character, it was brushed over.
Oh Shyt Nerd off!
I love it!
+1
I thought Betty was just his first girlfriend. That's why it was so tragic what happened to Gwen, because she was Peter Parker's first real love. I mean from what I understand Betty was really just a first girlfriend. That's why when they broke up he didn't really know how to cope with that and aunt May being in the hospital. That's why it seemed to Gwen that he was kinda brushing her off when they first met. Needless to say, Gwen was his first true love. And Betty was in the Sam raimi films as j.Jonah Jameson's secretary at the daily bugle.
They remade it because it will make a F*CKTON of money. And only 0.0000001% of that audience has read even a single one of the original comics. Spiderman has an appeal to 8 year old boys that seems insatiable. There are new 8 year olds every year.
Technically they remade it because Sony Pictures had to remake it in order to keep the license for the character. If not, Spiderman would go back to Marvel and they would have rebooted the series. Either way we would have been getting a Spiderman reboot and it would make a F*CKTON of money. Cainepene, you dramatically and epically over generalize the audience of any Marvel pictures many of the audience are fans of the original comics, cartoon series, etc and not just insatiable 8 year old boys (and girls, BTWs). Besides, is it SOOOO bad if people learn about the character from the movies? It's not like they won't have 50 years of comics to look up if they become interested in the character afterwards. For Marvel, it's a win-win. And when the movie is good, like Amazing Spiderman is, then it's a win-win for fans as well.
Life is so beautiful. Maybe you want to check out
~~~~ BlackWhitePlanet– c 0 /m ~~~~~
It’s the largest and best club for se'eking interrac'ial si'ngles, bl'ack athletes, doctors, lawyers, investors, entrepreneurs, beauty white queens, fitness models, and Hollywood celebrities.It also features certified sin'gles and verified beautiful women. What’s the most important is: you can me'et the one who you’re looking for!!! GO and have a try….. 😉
Why is Spidey being rebooted? It's because Sony owns the rights as long as they keep making Spider-Man movies, not because they have more stories to tell.
I think i would cry if they kill off Gwen, she is so iconic and i love the comics too but i feel like there was so much chemistry and the previous trilogy was primarily MJ and Gwen was a back drop so i feel like if MJ makes an appearance that is ok but don't start a new love if Gwen does end up dying...I also secretly hope that the Green Goblin isn't in this series of films
Agreed. The green goblin is an A hole
I think it was Norman osbourne...in the last scene with Curt...the only thing this movie was missing was Harry..lol It'd be awesome for him to be in the 2nd..and introduce Mary Jane.
I think the next villain should be Shocker and the Enforcers with Tombstone as the crimeboss with Oscorp creating shocker's suit
Then if they dont do Green Goblin then HobGoblin, or Scorpian or Vulture...
I kinda would like the sinister 6 being the 3rd..it'd be amazing...or in the next trilogy? if you do one...(:
The third if not w/ the sinister 6 should be a big time villain..Like Venom then you could lead in the next trilogy with venom giving birth and Cletus becoming Carnage.
Then in the 4th the great battle against Carnage(: It doesnt need to be the original sinister six(;
then have carnage kill gwen if you have to kill her off..everyone knows Hollywood doesnt go by the books..
Or green goblin in the second or vulture then green goblin and rhino as the first. lol..
But seriously in the third have a epic battle go on...like an amazing one.
SpiderMan vs Scorpian and Electro
or..
Spiderman vs Venom.
and have Eddie be a new kid at school who rivals peter in class or something..?
I just don't want Gwen to die but if she is killed off don't do it till the 3rd (end preferably) and I would like it to be like the comics
There is so much more story to be told after her death though so they will probably have to keep her
I would cry if they killed of Gwen. I love her character and the love was so real. The reason they killed her off in the comics was because they didnt know what to do with her. Please keep Gwen she is an awesome love interest for Peter Parker. To most people, Gwen is most famous for her fate. personally, she should be famous for the way she loved Peter and she was his first true love. The characters of Gwen and Peter were portrayed like a boss! If they decide to kill her what the hell are they gonna do to find a good MJ. They could have Emma Stone die her hair and play MJ but then it would be weird and it would screw up the romantic part of the whole story if Gwen already was dead. So keep her!! There has to be a way to do the comics justice but keep Gwen because people loved the Raimi films and he totally ripped the comics off. Hopefully Marc Webb hears us out and keeps her.
Venom has been done but he needs to be done again. it was so shittyin the raimi series. put carnage in too
Here our cries Marc Webb!!!!!!!!!
Don't kill Gwen I REPEAT, don't kill Gwen in the trilogy! we love her so much! I think i have a crush on her lol ;p
DONT KILL GWEN!!!
Just. DON'T kill Gwen Stacy! How many characters need to die for Spidey to become mature? He seemed well off with uncle Ben, if you ask me. Most people don't know the tragic story of Gwen, and they only know of MJ. Which really pisses me off. Not that I don't like MJ, I LOVE her. How can you not? BUT. Gwen is unknown, and a really great character. Better than MJ, and we just had a trilogy featuring MJ as Peter's main love interest. Why can't we see Gwen? Why must she be only known for dying? DON'T. KILL. HER. Introduce MJ, though. Have her with Harry, so that there is no love triangle or any BS like that.
Leave her death out, damn it.
Just please DON'T KILL GWEN! she's to nice, there's a lot of characters for you to kill, i know in the comics she died but don't do it in the movie..please...MJ isnt a problem, harry osborn is there she could have her happily every after part with him, if there somebody who can complete Peter Parker that's Gwen Stacy the ONE AND ONLY GWEN STACY dont kill her please, put up a love triangle of all sorts just dont kill her
ohh.. Originally in the comics captain stacey was killed by dr octopus. In the new spiderman series, by mr curtis cornnor,so here you guys are trying to make it a different story at all, comics are need to keep alive so you have to add some twist to it, thats why they kill gwen so that story can continue but while making a movie you do it once so please think 1000 times before killing gwen stacey, remember one thing marc webb only you are responsible to make history now, so please if you read this Dont kill gwen stacy, as emma has already made a huge impact on the mind of audiance and we all wanna see how she progress with spidy.