According to Nikki Finke of 'Hollywood Deadline' Sam Raimi told Sony pictures that he could not get Spider-Man 4 ready by the studio's release date in May of 2011.
That prompted Sony to go in a completely different direction, deciding that they will reboot the franchise, and start over, with Peter Parker still in high school, and an entirely new cast set to depict the webslinger's exploits.
Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire seemed less than heartbroken about the move, following high levels of studio interference. Both men
released statements yesterday:
"I am so proud of what we accomplished with the 'Spider-Man' franchise over the last decade," Maguire said in a statement Monday. "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."
"Working on the 'Spider-Man' movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi, who directed all three "Spider-Man" films, also said in a statement Monday. "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."
