In that classic issue of Spider-Man #50, the cover blazed that question as the reader stared at an image of Peter Parker, head down, walking away from the enlarged ghostly image of Spider-Man. Inside, a panel showing his suit in a garbage can was lovingly recreated by Director Sam Raimi in the film Spider-Man 2.
Director Sam Raimi
What made the Spider-Man movies some of the best superhero adaptations ever was that Sam Raimi was a fan who knew the comics, translated them faithfully. But more importantly, had the style and panache to breathe life into those stories on the canvas of celluloid.
Rumor has it, in their “infinite wisdom,” the execs at Sony decided that John Malkovich was too old to play the villain the Vulture in the new movie that was planned. They wanted all kinds of changes to the script and they wanted the film to come out in 2011. Raimi, having had a third villain forced on him in the last film, decided he couldn’t maintain the quality under that schedule and left the project. Taking the cast with him.
A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three ‘Spider-Man’ films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter’s roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
So they’re going with an a new, younger cast. And a new director. Good luck with that.
Lightning in a bottle is a hard thing to catch. If they had kept it to two villains in Spider-Man 3 it might have been a great film. As it is, truth be told, it was decent. I know hardcore fans didn’t like it, but it made major bank. Without Raimi’s expert handling, they are now forced to find a director in a short amount of time, get a decent script together and a cast who will have to step into the well-established shoes of the Raimi cast.
“Returning to its roots,” aka High School, could come off like a direct-to-video sequel. Of course, it all depends on the cast and the director. A high profile franchise is sure to attract the A-list, but it takes a special talent to do a character like Spider-Man right. Someone who has an excellent grasp of the mythology and an understanding of the “feel” of that world.
One of the things people forget now, is how revolutionary Spider-Man was when it came out. The character had been tried unsuccessfully before in both the US and Japan on television. It seemed lame. But Raimi made it magical and alive.
They could, of course, imitate what he brought to the screen. But will it have the same spark?
Marvel’s had a hit or miss track record. Where their films excel, it’s with directors who get the material and show a real love for it. Who also stay true to form. It’s not as easy as you’d think to find the right talent. The video store shelves are littered with the failures of those who tried.