There is a lot of new info about the major Marvel superhero movies floating around the Web right now, and because we at Screen Rant believe in a lifestyle of convenience, we’ve pulled together all the bits and pieces into one cohesive Marvel Movie Update.

If you’ve been wondering what’s the latest with Iron Man 2, Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America or the much-anticipated grand-slam finale, The Avengers, then be sure to keep on reading. Oh, and not to be left out of the club, we’ve got some quick recaps on what’s going on with  Spider-Man 4.

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Today, thanks to NYPost and Filmstalker, we have two pretty significant pieces of news relating to the upcoming Spider-Man 4 for you. One relating to Kirsten Dunst’s involvement with the film, the other relating to the rumors of the vampire character Morbius being a villain within the fourth movie.

Scared you there for a second, didn’t I?

Don’t worry, Tobey Maguire is still signed-on to reprise his role as Spider-Man for the fourth and fifth movies in the successful franchise, along with director Sam Raimi. However, Maguire is also set to star in a new romantic comedy called Tokyo Suckerpunch, which is based on the 2000 novel by Isaac Adamson.

According to Tokyo Suckerpunch screenwriter Ed Solomon (Men in Black, Charlie’s Angels), Maguire’s role in the film is so good that it could help the actor move past his role as Spidey. Bold words.

Sam Raimi, director of the Spider-Man films, revealed back in January of this year that he has an interest in the character of Morbius and that sparked rumors that he would be (one of) the featured villains in the upcoming Spider-Man 4.

To me, this made perfect sense as it would allow the next movie to explore a darker and more realistic tone (compared to the more extreme Sandman and Venom characters). Even more than that, Morbius shares plenty of Marvel Comics history with the Lizard character (Dr. Curt Connors) who we saw introduced in Spider-Man 2 and play an important role in Spider-Man 3.

Sam Raimi last talked about Spider-Man 4 early last month, where he gave us details about such things as whether he was planning both the fourth and fifth Spider-Man films at the same time (he’s not), as well as how difficult it is to go back to a franchise after time has passed.

Today, in an interview with our friends over at Cinematical, Raimi talked some more about Spider-Man 4, and went a bit more specifically into his plans and goals for the fourth movie, including how it will differ from the disaster that was Spider-Man 3. Here’s what he had to say:

Last month we got some big news surrounding Spider-Man 4. Among the scheduling changes for the upcoming Marvel movies, we also were told that Spider-Man 4 would hit theaters May 6, 2011. The other unsurprising update that made a splash was that Raimi really wants Kirsten Dunst to return as Mary Jane Watson.

From what we’ve heard, Dunst has been hesitant about returning for another installment, perhaps because of some negative fan feedback about her being cast into the role in the first place which still hasn’t died down.

Raimi is taking it into his own hands and is reportedly set to meet with Kirsten Dunst to talk about her return for the next Spidey adventure. In a group interview last week, Raimi discussed the current situation:

Click to continue "Sam Raimi’s Date With Mary Jane To Talk Spider-Man 4"

More info: drag me to hell, evil dead 4, spider-man 4

With X-Men Origins: Wolverine a little under three weeks from release, we here at Screen Rant thought an overview of all Marvel properties (and possibilities) might be in order. Though the new independent studio is now producing their own films, solely distributed by Paramount Pictures, there are a number of iconic characters still residing at Hollywood’s other major studios.

Now that the film division of Marvel Entertainment exists, we’ve seen questions around the inter-webs about certain properties and copyrights concerning top-tier Marvel characters. Many readers have been calling for Wolverine to cameo in the expected 2012 film Avengers, but there’s a little problem with that potential geekgasm.

In an interview with AICN recently at SXSW, after screening his new horror flick Drag Me To Hell, fanboy favorite Sam Raimi spilled some more beans on the much anticipated fourth installments in the Spider-Man and Evil Dead franchises.

Those are two franchises that we all want to see be continued in some form or another, and the news that Raimi would indeed, be coming back for a fourth (and a fifth Spider-Man - along with Tobey Maguire), as well as 20-year long rumblings of him doing another Evil Dead flick, certainly inspires infinitely more confidence than if some random director had taken the reigns of either of them.

Here’s what he had to say about each of the movies/franchises:

One of the most fun aspects of each of the Spider-Man movies (and just about the best thing about the third one) is the small appearance of Bruce Campbell. He was the wrestling announcer in the first film (who actually, if you remember, came up with the name “Spider-Man” for Peter Parker), the snooty Usher who prevented Peter from seeing Mary-Jane’s play, and the Maitre d’ who helped him propose to her in the third one.

Well, furthering his love for the Spider-Man universe (which has seen him, along with Tobey Maguire signing on for a fourth and fifth film), he has told MTV that he would like to have Campbell back for the fourth film:

Did you like Spider-Man 3? I didn’t. Sadly, many fans of the Spider-Man franchise were let down by the third installment of the series but don’t fret! We just may get a return to form with Spider-Man 4.

In an interview with Empire for this May’s issue, Raimi openly talked about some of the problems with Spider-Man 3 and confirmed some rumors we all heard about two summers ago when the movie was released.

Sam Raimi had a busy weekend - having to dish out information on the fourth installments of two popular franchises to the hungry press. As I wrote earlier, Raimi answered some questions on the future of the Evil Dead franchise, but he also clarified some stuff for Spider-Man 4.

Yesterday, we found out Marvel had signed deals with Mickey Rourke and Scarlett Johannson for big roles in Iron Man 2 (and other pictures including The Avengers for Scarlett).

Today, Marvel gave us another big announcement – this time releasing a revised schedule for their upcoming feature films. The new schedule pushes each of their planned movies back except for Iron Man 2 which is still scheduled to open May 7, 2010.

It’s Sunday again and that means that it’s Weekend Wrap Up time.

This week:

We look at the weekend box office; Colin Farrell and Keira Knightley move to London Boulevard; Michael Uslan talks The Shadow; Spider-Man knows Good People; George Clooney returns to TV and Charlie’s Angels 3 appears to be heading this way!

In October, we reported that Sam Raimi would be too busy to film the next Jack Ryan film due to scheduling conflicts with the upcoming Spiderman 4. In his quote Raimi suggested that filming for Spiderman 4 could begin in March of 2010.

Well, as of today, it looks like he was pretty accurate.

At the 25th annual Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, MTV got a chance to speak to actor J.K. Simmons. Simmons plays everyone’s favorite Daily Bugle head honcho, J. Jonah Jameson and he revealed that he will be returning in his famous role and that shooting will begin in 2010.

Sam Raimi, Director of all movies in the Spiderman franchise, spoke in the latest issue of Empire magazine and told them who he’d like to be the featured nemesis of Peter Parker’s alter ego in Spider-Man 4.

“I like it in the Marvel comics when Spider-Man fights Morbius,” said Raimi. “He’s really cool. A vampire! I like that combination of superhero plus supernatural.”

After Spider-Man 3, it was assumed by many that The Lizard would play a major role if there was to be another sequel as he was featured as an important secondary character in the movie playing a mentor-type role to Peter Parker in that film.

Yes, it’s that time of the week again.

This week:

Rob Reiner reads the Book of Shadows; 13 isn’t unlucky for Mickey Rourke and Jason Statham; we take a peek at Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino; will you see Saw V and Spider-Man makes sure that Sam Raimi doesn’t know Jack.

You can chalk this up to a slow news-day.

Director Sam Raimi recently spoke with the MTV Movies Blog discussing the status of Spider-Man 4. Granted we’ve heard these type of quotes before. But I digress, ladies and germs…

When asked about the rumors that two Spider-Man sequels will be filmed concurrently, Raimi explained:

“It’s Amy Pascal’s decision. I don’t think it has been decided yet, and she’s the one that’s really going to make that decision; I’m really curious myself.”

Um, OK. Thanks, Sam.

(Thanks to Lycancy.com for the photo manip)

Less than 2 weeks after we reported on Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire signing on to return for Spider-Man 4 and 5, word now comes that Maguire will be coming back… with perks.

According to The Times, Maguire will not only earn a reported $50 million(!) for both films. He’ll also be granted “family time” - getting to leave the set in the early mornings and evenings to spend time with his wife and 22-month old daughter.

[Update: E! Online's Ted Casablanca reports that all talk on Spider-Man 4, as well as 5, is "jumping the gun" according to his sources. He adds that Tobey Maguire has not signed on to return calling the earlier claims "premature." Although it appears Maguire will probably return. - Jamie.]

Despite the fact that it made $900 million, I’ve yet to meet a single person who actually liked Spider-Man 3. Hell, the audience I saw it with went full-on MST3K resulting in huge laughter during the midnight screening.

But since its release, there have been countless rumors regarding the future of the Spider-Man franchise. “Is Tobey Maguire going to stop playing Webhead?” and “What will Sam Raimi’s involvement be… if any?” were among the many questions asked by fanboys across the internet.

Now it looks like plans are under-way to get Webhead’s fourth cinematic outing to the silver screen ASAP.

Welcome to the first Mid-Week Movie News Wrap Up ever!

Due to the mighty success of “The Weekend Wrap Up” Screen Rant has now introduced a news segment to furnish you with even more news during the week! Hollywood is a busy place and now Screen Rant readers have the opportunity of getting even more movie news.

News this week:

We debunk Cher as Catwoman in Batman 3, look at the trouble behind Babylon AD; discuss the chances of a third Riddick movie, let you know how you could be apart of Spider-Man 4 and Woody Harrelson fights Zombies in Zombieland.

The Hollywood Reporter has floated news that there is finally some movement on the long awaited (by fanboys) Venom movie.

The last time there was any news of note was back in February of this year that Sony had met with some “A-list writers” to pen a Venom screenplay. It seems that the main guy on that list was Jacob Estes, who has wrtten Nearing Grace and Mean Creek.

Yeah, I haven’t heard of either of those either, but that’s ok, because he’s out and someone else will be coming in to write the script.

So late last week, word leaked that Spider-Man 4 (along with Spider-Man 5 no less) was picking up steam.

[UPDATE: Sony has informed Coming Soon that Tobey Maguire is not being replaced for Spider-Man 4. - Jamie]

Now according to our buddies at Latino Review, a number of young, lesser-known actors are being considered to replace the departing Tobey Maguire to play Spiderman and his dorky alter-ego Peter Parker.

Ironically, I had just made a remark just this morning on the SuperHero Hype Forum about how we’d yet to hear anything from Sony, Marvel Films & Co. regarding Spider-Man 4.

In fact last we heard, James Vanderbilt (i.e. Zodiac screenwriter) was hired to write Webhead’s 4th cinematic adventure. And that was just a week or so before the WGA Strike started last year.

Since then, it’s been dead silence… until now.

Yes, I know that 2010 is still two years off, but that summer already has a few blockbuster tentpoles lined up (i.e. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Shrek Goes Fourth and Toy Story 3). And things could get pretty heated between the two comic-book tentpoles currently aiming for that summer as well: Sony’s Spider-Man 4 and Warner Brothers’ Superman: The Man of Steel.

In the case of Webhead, it’s still a mystery as to whether or not Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi return. But my shrinking gut (thanks to my diet) says they’re done. To be fair, I could see Raimi having some involvement (i.e. an “executive producer” title isn’t out of the question). However, Maguire showing back up sounds unlikely at this point. I don’t see Sony forking over the kind of paycheck he’ll demand unless he agrees to another multi-film deal and that’s what makes it even more unlikely.

So… an unknown actor could be the way to go. But I’m betting that supporting players like J.K. Simmons, Rosemary Harris and Dylan Baker will definitely return (i.e. cheap and for the sake of the movie franchise’s continuty!)

OK, so most of us hated and/or were insanely let-down by Spider-Man 3. We know it’s a huge question mark as to whether or not Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi show up for Spider-Man 4 while James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) is currently typing away at the script.

I’m not even going to bring up Kirsten Dunst because honestly, no one cares.

So here’s an idea, true-believer (sorry I couldn’t help but unleash my inner Stan “The Man” Lee!) If you called the shots on Spider-Man 4, what would you do? Would you bring back Maguire, Raimi & Co. or flat-out replace them?

By the way, this is for everyone who wants to add their $.02: Readers and my fellow Screen Rant writers. So please, let’s hear your ideas. And there will be a test on this later, boys and girls.

A writer has been hired to pen the screenplay for Spider-Man 4: James Vanderbilt.

Who’s that? He’s the guy who wrote the screenplay for Zodiac, the movie that dramatized the Zodiac killer mystery from the 60’s and 70’s. It received excellent reviews, but not too many people turned out to see it (admittedly, myself included… guess I’ll have to rent it).

In addition the studio is targeting 2009 (no doubt, summer) as the release date for the movie.

No word on whether any of the principal actors (Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, etc.) will be in the fourth film, but I’d be very happy to see Mary Jane relegated to a very minor part of the story.

Source: Cinematical

Sam Raimi doesn’t have to work on anything at all if he doesn’t want to, but his options are wide open. Following the success of his Spider-Man films the red carpet now belongs to him. He’s kicking back and pondering quite a few projects right now, including the possibility of Spider-Man 4. From the sound of it, he (and Marvel and the studio) realize that they need to do something very different with the next Spider-Man film considering the reaction of moviegoers to the weirdness that was Spider-Man 3.

Regarding Spidey, Raimi stated:

“Right now, Sony is meeting with different writers to try and bring a fresh, new story and approach to the ‘Spider-Man’ franchise, different writers have been coming in and spinning different tales of where ‘Spider-Man’ could go from here… A lot of people are working very hard to work on a really good story right now.”

[UPDATE: Is the Venom Movie Moving Finally Moving Forward?]

Avi Arad recently sat down with Garth of DarkHorizons.com to discuss his involvement in the upcoming movie Bratz (which no, I will NOT be covering here on Screen Rant!) and some Marvel projects came up in the discussion.

In particular it seems that things are moving forward, albeit at an early stage, for Spider-Man 4. At this point it’s just at the discussion level with Sony Pictures. What was a surprise for me was the fact that there is a Venom movie in development! I had not heard this previously.

Apparently Sam Raimi may be involved with the production on Spider-Man 4. Wow, that might be one of the worst ideas I have heard this year. Don’t get me wrong, up until Spider-Man 3, Raimi was one of my favorite directors. I love the majority of his movies. Darkman was fun, both Evil Dead films, Army of Darkness, A Simple Plan, the first two Spider-Man movies; he really has done some wonderful films. On top of his movies, he introduced the world to Bruce Campbell. I think his place in the annals of film history is secure for that fact alone.

Spider-Man 3 was a disaster though.

It was chock full of bad dance numbers (a must in super-hero movies, stay tuned for Heroes: The Musical), too many bad guys, and no clear idea as to what it meant to accomplish.

Soooo…. The prints of Spider-Man 3 running in movie theaters are barely dry and already a couple of days ago news began surfacing that yes, there will be a Spider-Man 4. Heck, there will even be a 5, 6 and beyond.

Yeah, we’ll just have to see about that. There is no doubt that Sam Raimi (director of the first three Spiderman movies) is not about to make a lifelong career out of ol’ web head. What does that mean? That either a new director or directors will be brought in, and each one will want to put his own personal mark on the franchise. Sure, it could turn out to be a good thing, but lets keep one thing in mind, shall we?

Nipples on the Batsuit.