It's been a big week for Sony's Columbia Pictures and fans of the Spider-Man franchise. A mere week ago we found that the studio has selected Gary Ross to direct and rewrite the upcoming Venom solo film. Ross has a long history with the studio and actor Tobey Maguire and he's currently involved with the script of Spider-Man 4. While we later heard that Venom might be far off with Ross also being tipped to helm the Spielberg-less Matt Helm remake, there's no slowing the Spidey franchise one way or another.

On the Peter Parker side of things, Raimi revealed a few days back that they're planning for an early March start of production for Spider-Man 4 to meet their summer kick-off release date in 2011. That's not all however, as more recently we reported on director Sam Raimi discussing the possible villains of Spider-Man 4.

Now, MTV is sharing the part of their interview with Raimi where he touches even more Spider-Man sequels in the pipeline, specifically the 5th and 6th installments. Read on after the jump for more!

In the interview, Raimi is directly asked if he will direct Spider-Man 5 & 6.

"Every time I make one of the 'Spider-Man' movies, I have to ask myself, is the character still intriguing to me?... Do I love the character? Am I dying to tell the next story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man?"

"And so far the answer has been yes."

Spider-Man 5 & 6 are happening not long after Spider-Man 4 hits theaters whether Raimi's involved or not. Since it seemed like such an effort for the studio to bring him back alongside the stars, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, I'm not sure I'm buying into the likelihood of him returning for more. If you want just one big reason why, just check out the ridiculous amount of upcoming and in-development projects he has listed on IMDB. He's got too much else going on and he's also responsible for helping adapt Warcraft to live-action which will no doubt kick off another major franchise.

He doesn't need more Spider-Man and after the debacle of interference related to the production of Spider-Man 3 (hopefully and apparently rectified this time around), he's got so many other things to look forward to.

On top of all of that, we know that James Vanderbilt's scripts for Spider-Man 5 & 6 are being written so they can act as a quasi-reboot of the franchise should Raimi and crew not return. With the Venom solo project on its way down the road, the likely possibility of the cast not returning for a 5th Spider-Man, Raimi's words on how they're picking the villain of Spidey 4 as to not set up for a solo film, the ruining of Venom in his first on-screen appearance, and the need of the studio to fast-track these highly-profitable films, I don't expect Raimi to be back in the director's chair for Spider-Man 5.

Click to continue reading about Spider-Man 5 & 6...

Spider-Man strangled by Venom

I've said for quite a while in our coverage of the future of Spider-Man that I think 5 & 6 may feature a new actor playing Peter Parker and will restart the franchise (sans the origin story rehash) and will tie into a new and proper take on the Venom, helping set up that solo project. That's just one theory and at this time, I think it's very possible.

Raimi continued in the interview on the subject, explaining that it's impossible to say either way at the moment but that he'd no doubt be happy working on more Spider-Man projects.

"If ever I feel sated, like I've got no more to say or I'm not really super-excited about it... because I know I'll also love it, but I've got to be super-excited about it. If I can't reach that level of commitment and excitement, I think then there'd be somebody else better to do justice to the story."

"You have to ask me in two-and-half years."

So, there you have it. Raimi seems positive about it but he's sure uncertain. Again, I personally don't think he'll be back for more but that could all change. He's got too much else on his plate and it'll be time to take Spider-Man in a new direction and for the studio, this will cut down on their waiting period between franchise installments.

What do you make of this and what would you like from Venom and Spider-Man 5 & 6.

Spider-Man 4 hits theaters May 6, 2011.

Source: MTV