The Jason Bourne trilogy is one of the best franchises out there. The first, 2002’s The Bourne Identity, directed by Doug Liman, surprised the industry, and rocked the box office, with Matt Damon’s killer role as an amnesiac CIA assassin. Volumes 2 and 3, The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), both directed by Paul Greengrass, carried on the tradition, delivering jump-cut action and edgy spy-world storylines. Damon and Greengrass – who collaborated again on the non-Bourne Green Zone, coming in March – had hit their stride.
And then, a few weeks ago, the English director said he'd had enough. While Universal was paying screenwriters to work up viable Bourne 4 scenarios, the director released a statement saying he was no longer onboard. And with no director at the helm, and scripts unknown, Damon’s participation in the third sequel is now anything but certain.
And then there’s Spider-Man. The three mega-hits based on the Marvel Comic superhero starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker, aka the web-slinger, and were overseen by ace director Sam Raimi. Spider-Man 3, released in 2007, made more than $890 million worldwide. But with Sony pressing Raimi to deliver Spider-Man 4 for summer, 2011, and Raimi saying he couldn’t (or wouldn’t), the project was shelved. In its stead, Sony has announced a Spidey reboot: Set for summer 2012, the new film will return to Parker’s highschool days, when the teenage misfit first gets bit by that radioactive arachnid. There’ll be a new, younger, Peter Parker, and a whole new cast-- and a new director, too.
On Tuesday, Sony announced that Marc Webb, of the modest indie hit (500) Days of Summer and a bunch of music videos (Diddy, Fergie, Green Day), will be helming the multi-million dollar event pic.
In the press release, 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”
Good luck with that. As Spidey himself has opined: “With great powers comes great responsibility.”
how about somebody come up with an original idea for a movie instead.— potus
I got one. The citizens of a country decide they have enough of their corrupt government and central bank and decide to overthrow it. Wait, Oh yea...we did that in 1776, with England and the corrupt Bank of England. Maybe their should be an updated version of that as it seems fitting.— Citizenc92- Citizenc92, it's a nice idea but never gonna happen. The people with power in this country, the wealthy and the politicians, are unaffected by the corruption and any matters that don't directly relate to their own individual situations. Impossible not to get political but how can the wealthiest nation in the world not provide the best protection for their soldiers, allow tens of millions of citizens to have no health care, claim to be responsible for protecting it's citizens from terrible things like marijuana, and yet cigarettes and alcohol, 2 items scientifically proven to permanently damage the body and impair judgement, still get a free ride in this day and age. By the way, I also smoke and if it wasn't so damn easy to get cigarettes, MAYBE it would be a little easier to quit, considering it's as addictive a drug as heroin.— srf466
- I declare shenanigans on any movie with a number after it. (except Rocky 4)— simplejack
- Citizenc92, Maybe the message board on an article regarding the new Spiderman movie isn't the best place for your juvenile anti-government ramble.— MD20202020
- ALL SPIDERMAN MOVIES BLOW. PERIOD.— tkohl
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