Sam Raimi Discusses Spider-Man 4 Villains
Oct 12, 2009 by Rob KeyesSam Raimi has some ideas for the villain(s) in Spider-Man 4 – what about you?
Spider-Man 4 has been receiving plenty of buzz in recent times with announcements and confirmations of it going into production next year for a 2011 release. On top of that, we’ve had countless reports and speculation about what storylines it may follow, the start of development for Spider-Man 5 & 6, and discussions of what villains will be the focus of the fourth installment in the super successful superhero franchise.
MTV spoke with Sam Raimi and got the director to discuss a bit about the villains of Spider-Man 4 and the results of a fan poll they ran on the site which saw The Lizard and Carnage come out on top as the most desired villains, with the highest percentages from an unknown number of votes.
Raimi responded to the two top choices but couldn’t reveal who they’ve selected as the villainous characters are for the next Spider-Man adventure.
“I love the Lizard… There’s a great story there in the Marvel comic books about Dr. Connors. I’m less familiar with Carnage.”
After this, you could tell Raimi wanted to be more open on the topic, but he must remain tight-lipped for obvious reasons with shooting not even expected to begin until next March. After a long pause, Raimi followed up by saying “I’m not allowed to say at this point.”
Normally, I’d think that The Lizard would be an obvious choice and that the other would be a character not introduced into the franchise yet. I can pretty much guarantee Carnage will not be in Spider-Man 4. After what happened with Venom in Spider-Man 3, they’ll be leaving the symbiotic villains behind until the franchise restarts and/or the Venom solo film gets underway.
However, Raimi later explains that the next movie doesn’t have so much to do with a character introduced in the films so far or about intertwining with/setting up the Venom spinoff. This partially puts a damper on The Lizard’s full introduction.
Of course, he could just be intentionally misleading. It seems like too much of a missed opportunity to not have The Lizard finally make an appearance after seeing Dr. Curt Connors introduced and slightly developed over the last few films.
Raimi continued by elaborating on the goal of Spider-Man 4′s story and how the villain will fit into that plan.
“What we’re trying to do right now is really understand the journey Peter is going to go on this time and have the villain maybe be a counter to that growth, something that he has to overcome… Or maybe he has to grow in a way to overcome the villain, because there always seem to be stories of coming of age, of a young man growing up and learning things about life, so once we are identifying the exact movement that Peter has to grow to, I think the villain—and we’re trying this right now; we’re trying to choose a villain based on who would be the proper counter to that growth, so we really have dramatic conflict.”
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@ DrSamBeckett “Bringing in Morbius gives us something completely different, which the franchise sorely needs.”
I don’t think bringing in a vampire at this time is smart. The movie industry is saturated with Vampires and for those who don’t how long Morbius has been part of the Spidey mythos they may think Sony is just trying to cash in on the Vampire cash cow that permeates Hollywood at this time.
I think it could backfire.
Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see Mobius on screen but maybe in SM5 or 6 after all the twilight, etc. films have run their course.
Mobius should be Morbius. Rrrrr …
I see what your saying about too many vampires, but i cant see what else can really work on the big screen for Spidey. They have use all the best villains already, and buggered one of them to high heaven.
Id say lizard a much enhanced version of the scorpion.
But Raimis failure in 3 with venom and sandman has me worried about the Dual baddy.
Id say lizard (and) much enhanced version of the scorpion.
But Raimis failure in 3 with venom and sandman has me worried about the Dual baddy.
@Shamose
That’s actually a good idea for a poll, thanks.
Vic
Honestly Guys,
I like Ramai’s idea about Morbius and Lizard being in Spiderman 4…The Lizard already has a story in Place they just have to complete the details..A Vampire? Nice something different to see this on the set..Due to the fact that both Villians are Doctors and both are biologists and study medicine that would work out fine..I also like the idea about Peter Parker finally growing up… No more whining, or crying..Spiderman has to grow up already and believe in the superhero he already is..if they choose another perfect Villian other than the 2 that I just mentioned..that would enable him to only defeat him if he believes in himself believes in the superhero he already is..Then that would work out..on top of that they also need to add hidden scenes that will lead to Spiderman 5 and 6 and the Venom Solo Movie.
@M-Cat
I see your point; if Raimi doesn’t like Carnage, Venom, or whatever villain they’re going with then someone else should direct it. And new blood could just be what they need. But I think he has at least one more good spidey movie in him. If nothing else, to make up for the train-wreck that was S3.
@DrSamBeckett
Spiderman 1 was a simple story, nothing more. An introduction to the spiderman universe and it had to be told. I was a classic hero vs villain story, where both received their powers on the same night but one turned to madness and the other to good. Maybe it didn’t have the depth of S2 but I don’t think it was weak.
Hmm I vote Hammerhead played by joe perci (with a sh** load of make up & c.g)
I just want to see tobey maguire get that headbutt he deserves
although I dont want to hear him scream, as he sounds like a girl crossed with a sour muff
sea biscuit cant do action or drama or comedy or inner monologue
I only liked him in plesentvile. and Anyone could have done that role a talking parrot could have done it
also benicio del toro as Morbius
or Adrian Grenier
maybe Giovanni Ribisi as shocker or vulture
I dont actually really care as all the movies wher a real let down esp the 1st and 3rd
@Paulie412
I just feel the origin story didnt need to be fleshed out as extensively as it was, think about the opening credits on the second film those few minutes of comic panels told the story perfectly. Wasting a whole 2 plus hours on an origin story is uncalled for, it would be like doing another Superman and telling the whole baby from krypton in a spaceship story. Everyone knows he story. My six year old brother knows the story of spiderman, and he has never seen a comic book, it is simply out there as part of public perception. Telling an origin story is only worth doing if you are showing us something unseen or completely new, like Batman Begins.
Del Toro as Morbius is pure genius
also I think Gerald Butler would make a fantastic
Kraven the Hunter
just gonna put this out there but i think Chameleon would be a good villain. Like you said in your thread Rob a villain with no misunderstandings… I could be wrong but the chameleon doesn’t seem to be a misunderstood character just a pure villain.
Or perhaps Shocker, or Rhino. Although a guy running about in a latex Rhino suit is a bit far out for a Live action spiderman… what do you guys think?
Del Toro as Morbius is too perfect and I actually dug the idea of him and The Lizard together as their story makes sense and works that way in the books.
I look forward to finding out more.
Lizard and Kraven.
Electro and Black Cat (he needs a female villain at some point) would be good for the next film.
We’ve been “Goblined” to death.
Save Carnage for the Venom film.
I agree..Morbious and The Lizard would make 2 Perfect Villians for Spiderman 4 (A Lizard and a Vampire)..Leave Carnage and Venom for the Venom Solo Film…Like I said the 3rd Villian for this movie would have to be a villian that enables Peter Parker/Spiderman to grow up in order to defeat him a perfect example of what im talking about is Superman Superman already believes in his superhero powers no whining or crying etc….Raimi does have a good point there and I think Del Toro would make a good character to play Morbious. But what 3rd Villian would fit idea for Spiderman to finally grow up? Any Ideas guys?
I actually wanted Lizard and Kraven for the third film. Lizard because you’ve already built up Dr. Connor’s story from the second film. Kraven since he’s a hunter and he could be after Spidey. I guess you would squeeze Harry in there too. But, I’d probably have him plan his revenge during the third and executing it in the fourth film.
@ Luke and Leia
No on black cat, simply because at the end of the movie she will redeem her evil ways and become a hero and spidey has had to much of that
You say we have been goblin’d to death? i personally think they havent represented well or made good use of the goblins so far, and hobgoblin could change that
but I am leaning toward the kraven/lizard/morbius ideas
@shamose
yeah totally on black cat I’m tired of misunderstood villains
in spidey films plus then thers always the chance blackcat would get a solo film, which chances are would be horrible
I can imagine Pitof directing it
smells like raperry season
Hey folks, I’ve added a poll – have at it.
Vic
I can see on the results that Black Cat is second highest to the Lizard then Carnage 3rd then Electro then Morbious..Well I hope that Black Cat isnt in it because that cant go well with Spiderman 4, Carnage I hope they leave him for the Venom Solo Movie Electro..Hmmm I think maybe he would fit the 3rd Villian that Spiderman has to overcome to mature in Growth..then Finally Morbious a Vampire…I hope Lizard, Morbious and I guess Electro would be my choices for Spiderman 4 or im also on the Kraven/Lizard/Morbious pick.
Go for the Lizard. Peter’s mentor turns into a killer and he has to decide whether to kill him at once or protect and try to cure him but risking the deaths of more innocent people (like Batman and Joker). Hard decisions for Spidey to grow.
Would have been nice to have Harry alive in the mix
We are forgetting someone who is a “big part of New York” and that would force Peter Parker to “grow” and “change.”
KINGPIN
Grant it, that character is more connected with Daredevil, but you have so many jumping off points and secondary villians (like Mysterio, and Lizard) who are linked to the crime syndicate that Kingpin ran [plus it is a good lead-in for a reboot of Daredevil].
Yeah I hate they way they kill off all the villains all the time? We don’t always need a definitive end all the time. The Goblin in the first one and Doc Oct were great villains and would to have seen more of them. Though I still think there could be a write around for bringing Doc Oct back for the Sinister Six plot. In the mean time maybe less is more may work this time around. Sure have the Lizard or Morbius or both as the villain. But why not through out the course of the movie have minor cameos of the people who are or will become the members of the Sinister Six. But of course an introduction of or the hint at the idea of the King Pin wouldn’t hurt either.
Ultimately for me Spiderman 4 has to start laying the ground work for something bigger(Sinister Six) coming Spiderman’s way. With the following film having he fully submerged in the event and getting owned by the end. And finally with the final film having him finding a way to come out triumphant as only the Amazing Spiderman can.
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Kingpin can’t be in it, Fox has the rights to him and Daredevil, not Sony. They might could go with Tomestone or Hammerhead in lieu of Fisk.
@Shamose
You’re right about the Goblin’s havent been represented well or made good use of. But I don’t know if putting yet another guy on a Goblin glider, chasing and throwing pumpkin bombs at Spidey would be the answer to that problem. Two of the three films have already had some aspect of that so far.
I’ll stick with Lizard/Kraven for the fourth film and Electro/Black Cat for the fifth.
For me a Black Cat/Spidey romance would add a new spin on his villian dynamic.
I’d spin Morbius in there. And you know what would be REALLY cool? Having a few cameos in the end from Blade (Wesley Snipes) trying to track the infamous bloodsucker, too. I haven’t seen Snipes in any films recently. I bet he’d work for peanuts.
Yeah I totally agree..Morbious, Lizard, and Karven would be good villians but I hope there real villians this time like Spiderman 1 and 2..and Peter Parker Please grow up already..No more whining or crying..Be like Superman..I know alot of people want to see Carnage in the movie..dont get me wrong I like Carnage too and he was actually one of the first Villians I thought would be perfect for Spiderman 4 but after what they did with Venom in Spiderman 3 I think its just best if they leave him for the Venom Solo movie that way they could start fresh again with a new Venom and Good Carnage..Morbious/Lizard/Karven would be good villians for Spiderman 4 or maybe Morbious/Lizard/Electro or Mysterio…I just think that since Carnage is a Bloody symbiote Character its going to be hard for Marvel to bring out a Bloody Character on the screen even after Disney ended up buying Marvel..and end up screwing another Spiderman Movie because of that reason.. For Spiderman 5 they could bring: Venom, Carnage, Black Cat if they choose to.
No its going to be a complete disaster if they brought Venom into the screen again and if they brought Carnage in…why not leave Carnage and Venom for the future Spiderman movies we are already going to see Venom twice on the screen (Spiderman 3 and Venom Solo) we dont need to see him a third time..Morbious Lizard, and Kraven would be good villians to see in Spiderman 4 we dont need to see Venom again in Spiderman 4 and then Venom again for the Venom Solo Movie..there going to play out that Villian if they do that..and on top of that they are going to reboot the character 3 times which would suck..Lets take advantage of Spiderman since its the last time we are going to see Raimi and Tobey Maguire and Kisten Dunst on the Screen and Use New villians.