Author: Robert Greenberger

Nikkie Finke at Deadline Hollywood broke the story that Sony may well have signed both director Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire for two more Spider-Man films. To maximize their time, word is the studio is eyeing filming them back-to-back ensuring the franchise endures well into the next decade and because, according to a source "it wasn’t so easy to get everybody back together".

Jamie Vanderbilt (Zodiac) already has a script for the fourth installment on deck. As to the villain of the piece, Finke suspects Dylan Baker, seen in the previous film as Curt Connors, will finally turn into the Lizard although obviously nothing has been formally announced.

Kirsten Dunst is expected back as Mary Jane although she may find a different rival than Bryce Dallas Howard’s Gwen Stacy.

The deal has come together only in the last few weeks, a source told Finke. With Maguire being balky, the studio was quietly looking around for a replacement Peter Parker, just as they did for the second film. Sony president Amy Pascal “was looking around to cover herself because Sony wanted him badly and Tobey wasn’t sure he wanted to do it." A Sony Pictures spokesman told the website, "There was never anyone considered for the role but Tobey."

There’s no deal yet for Kirsten Dunst but Mary Jane Watson will be in the movie again. I’m told Sony "would never recast her" despite her rehab problems. But expect another gal part, too.

Shooting is not expected to begin until fall 2009 with a June 2011 release date already announced.  The winner of the eBay auction to gain a package involving a walk on part among other goodies went for $28,100.

Sony, meanwhile, has continued to develop a Venom spinoff film with unnamed screenwriters hired to begin work on a script that would most likely bring Topher Gracer back for a second go-round as the villainous symbiote.