Spider-Man 4: May 6th, 2011

Originally Posted by oscar_merkx 

http://weblogs.variety.com/bfdealmemo/2009/07/ross-to-rewrite-spiderman-4-.html

interesting indeed

As Sony Pictures Entertainment preps a fourth installment of "Spider-Man" to begin production early next year, the studio has quietly engaged screenwriter James Vanderbilt to pen "Spider-Man 5" and "Spider-Man 6."

Vanderbilt was the first writer on "Spider-Man 4." Director Sam Raimi brought on "Rabbit Hole" playwright David Lindsay-Abaire to rewrite him, and Gary Ross is now rewriting that script. The studio is enthusiastic about where it stands as the picture begins prepping for an early 2010 production start for a May 2011 release.

Raimi didn't embrace all of Vanderbilt's ideas, but execs at Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios have. Vanderbilt has been hired to pen the fifth and sixth movies, which have an interconnected storyline. That's what was originally discussed when Vanderbilt signed on to write "Spider-Man 4," but the idea of shooting a fourth and fifth film back to back with the original cast was scrapped.
 

IMAX Corporation and Columbia Pictures today announced that the highly-anticipated action-adventure Spider-Man 4, will be released to IMAX(R) theatres simultaneously with the film's worldwide release on May 5, 2011. The fourth installment of the successful "Spider-Man" franchise, based on the Marvel Comicbook character, will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The film will be distributed by Columbia Pictures domestically and by Sony Pictures Releasing International overseas.

To date, the "Spider-Man" motion pictures have generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office receipts.

"The last two 'Spider-Man' releases have been available in IMAX theaters, and we're very much looking forward to our return to a wider IMAX theatre network with this exciting new chapter in the continuing adventures of Spider-Man," said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing. "The addition of so many new IMAX locations will give even more fans of Spider-Man an opportunity to experience the action and adventure in a unique way."

"'Spider-Man' continues to be one of the world's most popular motion picture franchises, and we are very excited to include the latest chapter as part of our 2011 slate," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Our network has grown significantly and we continue to roll-out new theatres virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in IMAX."

"We're so excited to once again work with our friends at Columbia Pictures, Sony and Marvel to bring this beloved superhero back to IMAX theatres," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "The 'Spider-Man' franchise has been so important to the growth of our network and fan base over the years and we're certainly looking forward to re-teaming with the entire cast and production team to bring this next chapter to moviegoers worldwide."

Spider-Man 4 will reunite director Sam Raimi with stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. The screenplay is currently being adapted by Gary Ross. Producers are Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, Todd Black and Grant Curtis. Executive producers are Stan Lee, Todd Hallowell and Josh Donen.

The IMAX release will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie. 

 

In an exclusive conversation with MTV News on Friday, franchise director Sam Raimi reveled that if all goes according to plan, shooting will begin early next year.

"We're hoping that it's the first week in March," said Raimi.

At the moment, pre-production is in full swing, even as screenwriter Gary Ross ("great director and a very fine writer," said Raimi) continues to work on the script.

"He's working on a draft," he continued. "I just gave him some notes and he's doing a rewrite right now."

On other fronts, "Spider-Man 4" continues to chug along. "The production is starting to come together," Raimi told us. "I've got a production designer who is starting to design the sets and the environments that the picture will take place in. We just brought aboard Scott Stokdyk as one of the two visual effects supervisors, and I worked with him on all three 'Spider-man' pictures
 

Originally Posted by Sam Favate 

Isn't the Black Cat a parody of Catwoman? I mean, here is a character that isn't all that good but has a romantic thing with the hero. How is it no copyright infringement was ever claimed?