More 'Spiderman' On the Way

While researching another film, I was surprised to run across the news that there are plans for a fourth installment in the "Spiderman" series. This news comes as surprising because: (1) Tobey Maguire had reported having back problems during filming Spidey 2 and was unsure whether he could make it through the 2nd (and 3rd) movie(s); (2) Trilogies are common and there was a lot of buzz about the 3rd movie being the final one; (3) Kirsten Dunst had reported in interviews that she would play Mary Jane for the last time in the 3rd movie, regardless of if more were made; and (4) The 3rd movie was beyond sub-par.

Can movie execs resurrect the Spidey series? Plans for the fourth movie are still sketchy, but here's the gossip:

1: Not only is a fourth movie in the works, but the script writer is working on a storyline that would span two movies. If all this holds, movies 4 and 5 could be filmed and produced simultaneously.
2: The 4th movie will have the same director as all of the previous films (Sam Raimi). Hopefully Raimi can recapture whatever worked for 1 and 2. How much of a movie's sub-par-ness is due to directing?
3: Maguire is signed on to again play Spiderman. Good; whether or not this ship sinks, it won't be sinking because of a major casting change. However, note to Maguire: your performance as Emo-Spiderman in 3 was tacky, cliche, and over-the-top. Hopefully the acting for 4 will be more character-appropriate, believable, genuine.
4: Dunst has been non-commital in interviews about her involvment in the film. However, there was supposedly an interview with MTV where she said she was 'in.' So much for stopping at 3. If we do enjoy her talents in 4, hopefully they will not include the whininess and damsel-in-distress performance of 3.

Let us cross our fingers that the Spidey movies can get back on track.

Also, there's talk of a spin-off for Venom from "Spiderman 3," though the film execs are not so sure about casting Topher Grace again in the role. Supposedly they worry that he cannot carry an entire film by himself -- probably true in this case, since he has more good-guy charm than is compatible with a villain.

According to spiderman4news.com: "After the success of 'The Dark Knight' [the folks over at Sony] see an opening for a movie based on a villain." What poor reasoning to make this film. Heath Ledger produced a brilliant performance as the Joker that was complex and believable. I fail to see how the success of this legend could translate to that of a second-rate villain from a huge disappointment of a movie.