(500) Days of Summer Director Takes On Spider-Man Fanchise
The next chapter in the Spider-Man franchise will be directed by Marc Webb, the director of the Golden Globe nominated Best Picture (500) Days of Summer. Teen Spidey should hit theaters summer 2012.
Written by James Vanderbilt, Webb will work closely with producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin in developing the project, which will begin production later this year.
Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said about the next Spider-Man movie,
“At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world. The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker’s life. We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter’s shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety, and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man’s adventure. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.”
The probably had to call up Stan The Man Lee to get a quote from him before they did the press release. Come on!… We don’t need no Steengkeen Peter Parker! We want to see Spidey knock bad guys’ heads, rip steel doors off their hinges, dodge bullets and save the day!
Parker can barely pay his bills on time, is chronically late for everything and in the classic series just paints himself to be a constant shmuck! We got enough of that in our real life, we want some action, some real hero doing super things in cool outfits with funky gadgets. If we wanted to see a born-again-loser all we’d have to do is look in the mirror.
Peter doesn’t give us hope. Spidey gives us hope. You’re never going to hear mom say, “Jimmeeee! Eat your Wheaties so you’ll be big and strong like Peter Parker!” Come on! Even Bruce Wayne has his bajillions of dollars, incredible good looks, body of an Olympian and brain of the best detective in the world. Bruce Rocks! … I don’t wanna see Peter’s story.. I want what they gave us in Spider-Man II with the run-away train. Now THAT was action. … I and every other guy in the theater was just-that-close to tears when Spidey passed out and the passengers …. … the passengers they… *choked up*… passed him… *swallow*… over their heads and …. excuse me, *leaves room, blows nose, pulls collar*…. and gently laid him down on the rail floor… .. *sniff*. God I’m such a puss! That stupid scene gets me every time.
No more Peter emptying the trash talking to MJ. No more… Peter trying to pay Aunt May’s bills! Or running late to the play only to be stopped by Ash (Bruce Campbell). Come ON! I didn’t pay freakin’ $10 bucks to see that. Even the pizza scene, where he rescued the little brat, was better than that. No. The best was when Spidey (not Peter) was fighting Doc Ock on the clock tower and finally rescued Aunt May, then all the chicks come running up, “Rescue ME! Rescue ME!”… stupid chicks.
The new Spider-Man movie will be written by James Vanderbilt. Webb will work closely with the producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin in developing the project. Arad and Ziskin spoke about the movie,
“Over the years, the Spider-Man comics have been told with bold and creative new writers and artists who have blah blah blah audiences see Peter Parker. Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary storytellers blah blah blah with the comic books blah blah blah blah.”
Webb said,
“This is a dream come true and I couldn’t be more aware of the challenge, responsibility, or opportunity. Sam Raimi’s virtuoso rendering of Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon. The first three films are beloved for good reason. But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well. I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam. That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant. I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.”
Just don’t suck Marc! Stan The Man Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man, added,
“I’m excited that Sony has chosen a director with a real penchant and understanding for the character. This is a brave, bold direction for the franchise, and I can’t wait to see what Marc comes up with next.”
We love you Stan. If you’re concerned about where this might be heading… go see (500) Days of Summer. It’s very well done. Marc did a great job on it. He won acclaim with his film debut (500) Days of Summer and has several MTV VMAs including 2009′s Best Director award for Green Day’s “21 Guns,” 2006 Best Rock Video for AFI’s “Miss Murder,” and Best Group Video for The All-American Rejects’ “Move Along.” The Music Video Production Association honored him in 2006 as the Director of the Year for his work with Weezer, AAR, and My Chemical Romance.
In addition to two Golden Globe nominations, Marc’s first feature film, (500) Days of Summer, has been nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature. Webb was also awarded the Spotlight Award, which honors outstanding directorial debuts, by the National Board of Review.
So, what we’re seeing here is some new young blood. God let’s hope it’s better than some of the sappy stuff they put on Smallville. Please don’t F this up Marc.
If you get a chance, check out some of our Spidey gear.
P.S. … and Marc… you BETTER bring back the mechanical web-shooters! Drop the 2099 talons! … so help me….
