After a dispute between Spider-Man trilogy director Sam Raimi and Sony, the originally planned fourth installment was scrapped in favor of a reboot. Although many fans of the Raimi films scoffed at the idea of a reboot so soon, many of them eventually came around and made The Amazing Spider-Man one of the biggest blockbuster hits of last summer.

Of course, Raimi's three Spider-Man films were massive commercial successes when they were released, but with Marc Webb's adaptation receiving plenty of admiration from comic book fans and film critics (though there were a number of complaints, as well) and with development on The Amazing Spider-Man 2 already underway, the question is: Is Raimi bitter?

Under the circumstances, one could understand if he was. After all, a profitable and beloved franchise set sail without him on the ship that he helped build. He recently told The Huffington Post that though he respects everyone involved, he hasn't seen The Amazing Spider-Man because he simply can't bring himself to.

"Well, I'm a big Marc Webb fan and a giant fan of Emma Stone. And of Andrew Garfield. I saw him on Broadway in 'Death of a Salesman' - it's just brilliant. And I love the producers of that movie because they are dear friends, and the writer. But I haven't had the guts to go see the movie yet. Because I don't want to go to my girlfriend's wedding. I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't have the guts. But I hear it's great. My wife even loved the picture and said it was a wonderful, excellently produced, beautifully acted, brilliantly written 'Spider-Man' picture. She'd tell me the truth and that's what she said."

Although Raimi hasn't personally gotten up the courage to go see it for himself, he said that he is happy for the filmmakers, the cast and the fans.

"I'm happy for [Marc Webb] and all the team. And I only wish him the best and I salute them because it's a tough job, too. And obviously he's pleased the fans - so I'm proud for him. I'm happy for my friends on the picture."

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Despite not being able to bring Spider-Man 4 to the big screen, Raimi seems to have handled these past couple of years gracefully. Of course, that's easier to do when you stay busy. Since Spider-Man 3, Raimi has directed the surprise 2009 hit Drag Me to Hell and the forthcoming Oz the Great and Powerful (due in March) and is producing the highly-anticipated remake of his 1981 cult classic Evil Dead (due in April).

Be sure to catch The Amazing Spider Man 2 when it swings into theaters on May 2nd, 2014. Meanwhile, Raimi's Oz the Great and Powerful hits theaters March 8th, 2013.

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Source: The Huffington Post