Sam Raimi leaves the franchise behind. Sony decides to start all over

       I waited some time before reporting this because I wanted to make sure it was official and not just a move from Raimi to force Sony to back off. Unfortunately our worst fears have been confirmed. Deadline Hollywood reported the news early and with constant updates gave us a picture of what the situation was.

Mike Fleming and I have just confirmed that Sony Pictures decided today to reboot the Spider-Manfranchise after franchise director Sam Raimi pulled out of Spider-Man 4 because he felt he couldn't make its summer release date and keep the film's creative integrity. This means that Raimi and the cast including star Tobey Maguire are out. There will be no Spider-Man 4. Instead, Mike Fleming is told, the studio will focus on a reboot script by Jamie Vanderbilt with a new director and a new cast. All this took place today at meeting on the lot today. An official Sony Pictures news release about it is expected.

My sources tell me that Raimi told Sony Pictures: "I can't make your date. I can't go forward creatively." And, so, once he said "That's it", Sony Pictures co-chairman Pascal and Columbia Pictures' Matt Tolmach decided they didn't want to replace him and instead chose to reboot the franchise. Insiders also tell me that Tobey Maguire heard the news in a phone call with Amy today. I'm told Tobey wasn't upset. "He's made 3 great Spider-Man movies. He's done really well. But he's the kind of guy who, if Sam wanted to go forward, would have been there for Sam and the studio. Absolutely."

Sony then gave their OWN press release 

Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012. Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios announced today they are moving forward with a film based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises.

The new chapter in the Spider-Man franchise produced by Columbia, Marvel Studios and Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, will have a new cast and filmmaking team. Spider-Man 4 was to have been released in 2011, but had not yet gone into production.

“A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three Spider-Man films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning,” said Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job,” said Sam Raimi.

“We have had a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and friendship with Sam and Tobey and they have given us their best for the better part of the last decade.This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else’s hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” said Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, who has served as the studio’s chief production executive since the beginning of the franchise. “Now everything begins anew, and that’s got us all tremendously excited about what comes next. Under the continuing supervision of Avi and Laura, we have a clear vision for the future of Spider-Man and can’t wait to share this exciting new direction with audiences in 2012.”

"Spider-Man will always be an important franchise for Sony Pictures and a fresh start like this is a responsibility that we all take very seriously," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures. "We have always believed that story comes first and story guides the direction of these films and as we move onto the next chapter, we will stay true to that principle and will do so with the highest respect for the source material and the fans and moviegoers who deserve nothing but the best when it comes to bringing these stories and characters to life on the big screen."

The studio will have more news about Spider-Man in 2012 in the coming weeks as it prepares for production of the film.

and not to be outdone Tobey Maguire releases his own press release

 “I am so proud of what we accomplished with the Spider-Man franchise over the last decade. Beyond the films themselves I have formed some deep and lasting friendships. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story.”

      Well, I gotta say I saw this coming a MILE away, I think most of us did. Raimi had a vision for his Spiderman franchise which for the most part was pretty good. Like Nolan did for Batman, Raimi took a comic book character and made an actual character. Spiderman 3 was a clear example of what can happen when a studio gets involved with a directors vision.

     Now...here is my official take on this matter. 

   A reboot is the right move here. Finding another director to direct Raimi's series would feel weird. Like Spielberg finishing Kubrick's AI. Sony deciding to reboot the series makes sense.Spiderman is bigger than Raimi and Macguire. As much as those films worked they also didn't on some levels. Sony has a chance here to bring more energy to the series, to make some casting changes namely Mary Jane and they have a chance to introduce way more characters to the big screen. 

Raimi did an amazing job giving his villains their own time to shine but we were never going to get multiple enemies. The weakest film is the one that forced only two  villains to share screen.  As much as people say they enjoyed Spiderman 3 the fil has major problems and showed the limitations of even a great director like Raimi.   

I spoke to a friend about this reboot and he gave a great idea what could work for the first movie. We all agree another origin story isn't needed. Instead have a series of shorts where Spiderman is fighting already established villains. We don't need an origin for every villain what we need now is a solid entry into the world of Spiderman. Where super villains are the norm. We agreed that Kingpin would be a great first villain and hinting to Daredevil (maybe even a crossover) would make for an amazing first story. The kingpin storyline would tie in to the sinister six storyline that everyone wants and ultimately lead to a Venom/Carnage story that the fans deserve.

Everyone is mad now..I know..I know. But you will see when Spiderman reboot does come..I bet you all it's going to kick ass.