Spider-Man 2 (July 2nd, 2004)

[Last Updated: 01/04/04]

In an interview with director Sam Raimi, questions about a possible sequel came up: Today, if I were to make the sequel I think it would be an ongoing storyline. I think people, if they like the first picture, which everyone's hoping that they will, they'll have seen Peter Parker move through high school and graduate high school. I think they'd probably be ready to see him start up in college and they've seen a relationship with Mary Jane Watson and it has a particular outcome. They probably want to see the next step or it is going to take an unexpected step with one of the other love interests of Peter Parker. So I think it is going to be a continuation. He's got a relationship with his best friend, Harry Osborn, and that takes a verydramatic turn in the end of the first one that has a lot of pending outcome. So I'm hoping, whether it's me or another director and writer, that they would get these elements effective, they would pick up where the story left them and set the new story from there. So I do think it would be a continuing story.

See also: Spider-Man, Sam Raimi, Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Alfred Molina, Spider-Man 3 You may also like: Batman Begins, X-Men 3, Superman V

01/22/04

Spider-Man 2: New Images, Interviews, Gwen Stacy & More...

It looks like Sony is mixing it up a bit for Spider-Man 2 with new images, sending high resolution images to Superhero Hype! and lower quality but higher quantity images to Dark Horizons and none to me. :D Sam Raimi took some time off his busy scheduel to give The Associated Press a few bones: "The next one is going to seem a little smaller and more intimate. I hope people are not hoping it's bigger and better. Hopefully, they'll think it's smaller and better," Raimi said. "I really turned the film inward on the characters, and it seems like that's what the audience responded to in the first film. So we focused on developing the characters to the next level, and the actors have taken the performances, all of them, up a notch." The sequel picks up two years after "Spider-Man," which ended with Peter turning his back on his great love, Mary Jane, realizing it was a sacrifice he had to make to travel the high road with his superpowers. "In those two years, we see the weight of this decision upon Peter Parker," Raimi said. "It's a much tougher road than he ever thought. And the sacrifices he makes here are much more extreme than he ever thought. "It's about the growth of a boy into a man. Really, a simple coming-of-age story. This boy just happens to be one bitten by a radioactive spider." But here's the real interesting news coming from Spider-Man Hype: Long story short, my buddy pointed me to this page. He is a Spidey maniac. I told him about a scene we're currently recording for Spider-Man 2. It is called "New Girl" and is IMO a slow paced and rather boring scene. But for some reason, it has the entire studio a buzz. Apparently the girl in the scene with Peter is named Gwen Stacy. I don't know that for sure, but the name "Stacy" continuously comes up and my buddy told me her name is Gwen. She is some young pretty blond girl who just has a few quick words with Peter. Take this with a grain of salt. None of us know for sure, it's just the buzz. My buddy showed me a comic with this Gwen chick and I can voucher that it certainly looks like her. Well, any way...I can tell you for sure that the music in that scene is fantastic! In the continued Comics Continuum interview with Marvel Studio's Kevin Feige, he says that Spider-Man 2 surpasses the first film... "It's a two-fold question," he said. "If you were to ask me if I think Spider-Man 2 was going to be a better movie than the first one, are we going to top ourselves in terms of quality and in terms of effects and action and romance and characters and all of that -- unequivocally yes. No hestitation. It is a very special movie." But what about at the box office, where Spider-Man established several new records with its first outing? "If you're asking me if lightning is going to strike twice, why would we jinx it?" Feige said of the sequel's chances. "It's a better movie. I think if you look at the history of Marvel sequels (which have outperformed their predecessors), that can certainly indicate a trend of some kind. The Chicago Sun-Times has a quick blurb about Spider-Man 2... Kirsten Dunst isn't spinning many tales about next summer's big action sequel to "Spider-Man." She did leak this much to this column: "'Spider-Man 2' is much more than a routine action movie. It is a really good movie disguised as an action flick." Cinescape heard from a scooper that Spider-Man 2 is part of a trilogy of films and that the stars have signed on for another sequel, and that, "...audiences can look forward to a vision of the Man-Wolf, an astronaut who mutates into a creature after handling some moon rock during a space expedition."

[an error occurred while processing this directive]081702153958 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Doc Ock Christopher Walken? [an error occurred while processing this directive]IMDb reports that Christopher Walken (Batman Returns) is being considered to play Dr. Octopus/Otto Octavious in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel.

The IMDb originally reported that had Sam Neill listed as playing Doc Ock in the sequel for the longest time, something that Neill debunked himself. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]081702151204 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Babes On the Couch [an error occurred while processing this directive]Celebrity Babes on Talk Shows this Week:

Monday, August 19
Craig Kilborn: Juliette Lewis
Regis and Kelly: Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man 2), Anastacia (R)
Rosie O'Donnell: Meredith Vieira (R)

Tuesday, August 20
Last Call: Erika Christense (R 4/30/02)
Regis and Kelly: Debra Messing (R)
Rosie O'Donnell: Kelly Ripa (R)

Wednesday, August 21
Regis and Kelly: Avril Lavigne (R)
Rosie O'Donnell: Kristin Chenoweth (R)

Thursday, August 22
Conan O'Brien: Charlotte Ross (R)
Last Call: Carmen Electra (R 5/02/02)

Friday, August 23
David Letterman: Elizabeth Hurley
Craig Kilborn: Connie Nielsen, Beth Orton [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]080502175251 [an error occurred while processing this directive]A Smallville Look at Spider-Man? [an error occurred while processing this directive]Cinescape talked with Smallville creators Miles Miller and Al Gough about who exactly is doing what for the screenplay for Spider-Man 2, given the fact that David Koepp also is on board:

"We were brought [to] the project by (producer) Laura Zisken and (director) Sam Raimi back before the first movie came out. Then, after the first movie came out, David Koep approached the studio and said he had an idea for the sequel that he wanted to write himself exclusively. The studio felt that since he had written the first film they were going to let him do that and asked us to basically step aside for a period of six weeks. He [has] turned his script in on the project [and] we will use bits and pieces and ideas from his script.

"The script was written by (Roger Avery), and there is not money yet to produce the film. I will do the movie if something happens in the near future." He pretty much said that if Bubba Ho-Tep does well that it could help fund the production of the fifth Phantasm film.

With an enormous $100 million marketing campaign planned, CTHE hopes Spider-Man will become the best selling DVD of all time. To ensure the demands of the fans are met, they're packing the 2-disc set full of features. Screen and costume tests with Tobey Maguire and a special look at the history of Spider-Man are among the confirmed extras. Obviously we can expect a lot more, as the studio is aiming to make this a DVD that sets a new standard.

Coming Attractions: Test Pattern has posted futher details on the features on the upcoming disc:

Disc One

• Audio: English & French 5.1 (Dolby Digital)
• Subtitles: English, French & Spanish
• Subtitled Factoids "Weaving the Web": Pop-On Production Notes & Historical Facts
• Commentary: Sam Raimi (director), Laura Ziskin (producer), Kirsten Dunst & Grant Curtis (co-producer)
• SFX Commentary: John Dykstra (special effects designer) & Visual Effects Crew
• Branching Web-i-sodes (access via Spider-Sense)
• Marketing Campaigns: Trailers & TV Spots
• Filmographies & Character Files
• Music Videos: Chad Kroeger featuring Josey Scott, "Hero" & Sum 41, "What We're All About"
• DVD-ROM: Comic/Feature Comparison; Record Your Own Commentary; Countdown to "Spider-Man 2"; Weblinks

• HBO Making of "Spider-Man"
• "Spider-Mania": an E! Entertainment Special
• Director Profile: Sam Raimi
• Composer Profile: Danny Elfman
• Screen Tests: Tobey Maguire, J.K. Simmons & CGI Spider-Man
• Costume and Makeup Tests
• Gag/Outtake Reel
• Conceptual Art & Production Design Gallery
• Historical Documentary -- "Spider-Man:" The Mythology of the 21st Century
• The "Spider-Man" Comic Book Archives
• Rogues Gallery
• The Loves of Peter Parker
• Comic Book Artist Pin-Up Gallery
• Activision Game: Hints & Tips
• DVD-ROM: Activision Game (two playable levels for PC); three exclusive Marvel dot.comics ("Spider-Man:" Blue #1, Black Cat #1, & Peter Parker: Return of the Goblin); "Spider-Man:" Visualizer

Did you know they mentioned your name as a possibility for the new SPIDER-MAN villain?
They mentioned me as a villain?! I'd do that in a red second!

As Dr. Octopus?...
Really?! That'd be great!

I don't know Dr. Octopus.
You don't know Dr. Octopus?! He's great. You know Cyclops? He's another very cool character. All the guys here are going we know all of that shit! I just got all the new SPAWN collectibles!

Hi, this morning, in a mexican TV Show called "El mañanero" (The Early Riser) Sam Raimi was interviewed by the show's host, Brozo.

In a very relaxed interview, Raimi talked about the importance of the Spidey Movie, how much he enjoyed it, and that he didn't make a lot of money out of it, that was the studios work... but that he'll get even in the sequels...

When Brozo asked Raimi about the villian for the next installment, he said that it was a very well kept secret.. and then he just whispered "Doc OCK" to what Brozo said out loud "AH! EL DOCTOR PULPO!!", there's another mention of the main villian for the sequel, complementing those of Dunst and Arad.

Today's Hollywood Reporter reveals that "Stan Lee's Mutants, Monsters & Marvels," a DVD/VHS package produced by Creative Light Entertainment, has been acquired by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment just in time for release as a companion piece to the studio's upcoming "Spider-Man" theatrical release.

"Mutants" presents an intimate conversation between comic book great and Spider-Man creator Stan Lee and comic fan/cult fave director Kevin Smith ("Clerks"). During the course of a nearly two-hour interview, Lee answers Smith's questions about the creation of Spider-Man, the history of Marvel Comics and the experiences that helped Lee create his legion of iconic comic book characters, ranging from the Incredible Hulk to the X-Men.

The video will be released May 14, just 11 days after Columbia Pictures' "Spider-Man" hits theaters. The price of the DVD will be $24.95 and the VHS will be $19.95.

"There were a couple of obvious reasons for us to get involved in distributing this video," Columbia vp DVD programming and content Michael Stratford said. "This project is primarily about Spider-Man and Marvel Comics, which presents natural promotional opportunities with our 'Spider-Man' movie, especially since Stan and Kevin are excited to do press and publicity for this. But we also feel that this is a good opportunity to try something different -- it is a very different kind of program than anything we have released before. There is a lot of content there not just for die-hard fans but even for people who may be more interested in the movie than the comics."

The company behind the idea for "Mutants" is Creative Light Entertainment, an independent production and distribution company best known for such DVD/video productions as "The Sid Caesar Collection" and "Mind Meld: Secrets Behind the Voyage of a Lifetime."

"Stan and I are very excited to close this deal with Columbia TriStar and be able to use their distribution machine to get this unique product out to the public," Creative Light CEO Scott Zakarin said. "From the project's inception, we've always felt as if that is where it belonged."

A large portion of the "Mutants" DVD centers on Spider-Man, but it is not the only aspect of Lee's career covered. In the segment "Here Come the Heroes," Lee traces his personal history and the stories behind some of his most noteworthy creations, including the Incredible Hulk, Daredevil and Silver Surfer -- characters also heading to the big screen. The DVD features cast and crew bios, a behind-the-scenes featurette, an exclusive interview with Lee's wife, rare home movies from Lee's personal archive and a poem written and read by Lee.

"Comics are definitely getting more respect now and that is mostly because of the movies," Lee said. "Hollywood has started to realize that what you have to do is make all of the characters relevant and believable. The characters in these superhero movies, when you strip away the superpowers, they have to be characters you feel could really exist. I think people have started to realize that they may be comic characters, but you can't treat them in a silly way."

For Smith, the opportunity to discuss comics and movies with a living legend like Lee proved too good to pass up.

"I had done an interview with Stan a couple of years ago for Rolling Stone, and it was fantastic, but most of it did not make it into the story because of limited space," Smith said. "It was great to be able to do it again, learn new things and have it all be made available for people to see."

Two more "Spider-Man". January or February (for the second film to start)...There will always be that dynamic between Peter and her with the love story, you know keeping them apart. Makes it more interesting when the lovers aren't together. I'm sure there will be a lot of controversy with that. They're going to bring in another girl I think, which I'm really happy about. You can have her doing the action, I don't need to be saved, have some other chick being saved. I think they might bring in the Black Cat or something, I don't know for sure. I think I'll have a new boyfriend and Tobey will have a girlfriend, it will be ackward and weird. She's more of a woman and he's more of a man, it'll be interesting to see Spider-Man grown up as an adult in the next film and the third one if we get there. It'll be interesting to see them in the adult world, him becoming successful and I think Sam wants to make her successful in acting.

With people like Michael Keaton, Hugh Jackman, Eric Bana, etc. in these superhero roles, do you think its a good choice having these sort of lesser known but very talented actors in such major roles.

I think its true, I think if you have a big star its hard for the star to lose himself in the role as their always thinking I'm the next Tom Cruise you know, and so maybe that is so. I hadn't thought about it, that's interesting. You always want the best actor for any part.

Columbia Pictures has plans to begin shooting principal photography on Spider-Man 2 as soon as the start of next year. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]040402171720 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Spider-Man Interview w/ Sam Raimi [an error occurred while processing this directive]Moviehole posted an interview with Spider-Man director Sam Raimi:

Sam, Why Spider-Man?
We'll I've always been a comic book fan, especially Spider-Man. The illustrations and the story, in particular, was what attracted me to it. I think what is good about Spider-Man is that he's a normal kid. Like I was. And it's great how he can make fun of the villains. But as a movie, I never thought it was going to make a lot of money, but now it's clear that it’s got to make some. Out of interest, people will come and see it.

Why did you choose Tobey Maguire to play Spider-Man?
We'll I think we looked at tapes of nearly every 17-24 year old male. But I stopped when I saw Tobey. He was real, He was grounded and that's what Spiderman is he is a real kid. He was perfect. I saw him in Cider House Rules, which was just so real and he was fantastic, so I cast him.

So do you consider Spider-Man your first blockbuster?
Yes. None of my movies have ever made money. But with Spider-Man I decided to follow the character and make a good flick out of it – and those that have followed Spider-Man will definitely come.

Did the story get changed a few times?
Absolutely. David Koepp who had wrote the first script had a piece with the two villains being Elektra and the Sandman, I think they were leftovers from James Cameron's treatment – which I like to call a 'scriptment'. It was an 80-page treatment with these characters, but the thing is these characters weren't my favorite. My favorite was actually the death of Gwen Stacey. Thing is, I didn't particularly like the Gwen Stacey character, I liked the element of it, but liked Mary Jane Watson and The Green Goblin. I also tried to put Doctor Octavious in there, but we couldn't do it justice. Having multiple-storyline arcs just didn't work, so we decided to stick on just having the one villain and make it a deeper story.

Bruce Campbell's got a cameo in Spider-Man?
Bruce is a bit player, yeah. He's a wrestling arena coach. He's so funny, and a good friend.

The film you and Bruce did, Evil Dead, did that change everything for you?
Yes, Evil Dead changed everything. My partners, Robert Tapel and Bruce set out to do a movie for the Drive-Ins. We would go past the drive-ins and see that the movies showing were cheap B-grade horror films, and that's essentially what we wanted to make. So we raised money and made our low-budget horror movie. I never expected it to get to where the film is today.

Are you sick of being asked about Evil Dead 4?
Nah. Because I'd like to do it now. Bruce Campbell is just the best, and they are so funny to do. I like Horror movies, and with Bruce, they are just the biggest fun.

Spider-Man 2 then?
I've just signed on to do Spider-Man 2 actually. We haven't yet got a story so I haven't actually thought about what actors I'll use though. I love Spider-Man. I'm into him. And Bruce Campbell will have a role in Spider-Man 2 as well.

You had to change the teaser trailer for Spider-Man after September 11 but did this affect the movie?
My 2nd unit director shot some great stuff for the teaser. It was the bit where Spider-Man tangled the crooks in the snagged helicopter and weaves a web for them between the Trade towers. I was hoping to use it in the movie, but I didn't feel it was appropriate after September 11. I did however keep every other scene of The Twin Towers in the movie.

Stan Lee had a cameo – but I hear it was cut?
Stan Lee's cameo is still in. It's a brief cameo at Times Square, behind the villains. You can see him in the corner of the screen. Just for a moment.

Would you do another superhero movie? Actor Kerr Smith recently suggested to me that they do a big-screen version of The Green Lantern?
I have no idea why comic book movies are so hot at the moment. I think after doing the Spider-Man movies I'll do something different, and perhaps it will be Evil Dead 4. I always liked The Green Lantern though, that's a good idea. The core of the Green Lantern is so universal. Yeah.

And have you tried any Aussie Beer while you are here?
No. I've tried Wine. Chiraz. It's great, incredible. We actually have it in California and the U.S Now, it's excellent. As for Beer what should I drink? (I begin to explain to him the cool refreshing comfort of a stubby of Carlton Cold). Ok, I'll have one of those over lunch. Done!

Raimi talked more to Sci Fi Wire. His upcoming film will "have more of a feeling of a movie than a comic book. That might be because the strength of this comic book has always been that Peter Parker is greatly identifiable and a real human being."

Raimi, who has signed on to direct a Spider-Man sequel if there is one, added, "There's always been a lot less that's fantastic about Peter Parker than some other superheroes. Audiences identify with him more. He comes from our world. Although we have made a comic book come to life, we--myself, the producers, Tobey [Maguire] and Kirsten [Dunst], the whole team--tried to bring forth the strengths that [Spidey creators] Stan Lee and Steve Ditko put into the character, and the main one is that he's one of us." [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]032402145312 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Marvel Spinning Spidey Sequel [an error occurred while processing this directive]Comics2Films reports Marvel Comics studio chief Avi Arad told a conference call that plans are already in the works to begin shooting a sequel to Sam Raimi's upcoming Spider-Man movie, though the first film doesn't open until May. Raimi is on board to direct the proposed sequel, which is reportedly eyeing a January 2003 production start.

Arad added that plans are underway for Blade III and Hulk 2, which is in development and targeted for a May 2005 release, and an Elektra spinoff of the upcoming Daredevil movie. Marvel still plans feature-film versions of Dr. Strange, Fantastic Four, Deathlok and Namor, based on its Sub-Mariner series.

For Spider-Man 2, everything except the costume will change, Arad said. "He'll deal with new villains. He'll deal with new issues. It takes the first movie, the origin movie really, to tell the story to explain the world. It's tougher to deal with more than one villain. It's really easy in our universe to take our sequels and make them uniquely new from sequel to sequel." [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]031902204718 [an error occurred while processing this directive]It Won't Be Spider-Man 2 W/O Raimi [an error occurred while processing this directive]Laura Ziskin, producer of Sam Raimi's upcoming Spider-Man movie, told the Calgary Sun that work is about to commence on a sequel, even though the first movie doesn't open until May. Tobey Maguire is set to reprise his role as Peter Parker in the proposed sequel, the newspaper reported.

"We're making the deal, so I don't think I can announce it," Ziskin said, but confirmed that director Raimi will be back behind the camera for any further Spider-Man adventures. "We wouldn't do it without him." Production on a second film could begin as early as January, the newspaper reported.

As for the first film, "We're dubbing the movie right now," Ziskin said. "We were going to be finished last week, but it looks like we'll probably finish a couple days after the Oscars [on March 24]. This is hell week. ... The movie is beyond the trailer. It looks great. I'm really proud of the film. It's wonderfully entertaining." Spider-Man, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name, opens May 3. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]031702130834 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Spider-Man 2 News [an error occurred while processing this directive]In a recent report columnists Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith spoke to "Spider-Man" and this year's Oscars producer Laura Ziskin, who is on a 24/7 schedule as she finishes post production of "Spider-Man" and completes a myriad of details for the March 24 Academy Awards.

"I turn left and go to my cutting room, turn right to my Oscar show offices," Ziskin says. "If it hadn't been done that way, I don't think I could have survived it all."

The pair says that Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will be back working with her soon again on "Spider-Man 2". Work has already started on the script and production on the film will start in time for it to be in theaters by summer of 2003. But talk around the internet water cooler would suggest that they meant to say summer of 2004, which would be more likely. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]013002210800 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Spidey 2 Writers Named [an error occurred while processing this directive]Comics Continuum reports that Alfred Gough and Miles Millar "might be" the top candidates to pen the script for the sequel to Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, which is reported to start rolling in January 2003. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]012002161211 [an error occurred while processing this directive]L.A. Times Spider-Man Article [an error occurred while processing this directive]The L.A. Times has published an article on the "Spider-Man" movie, a possible sequel, the affect of the September 11th attacks, and more on superheroes in general. The article includes quotes from Tobey Maguire, Sam Raimi, Laura Ziskin and Marvel's Joe Quesada and includes at least one new picture as well. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]011602213310 [an error occurred while processing this directive]Spider-Man Sequel's Filming Date? [an error occurred while processing this directive]Variety reports that "Spider-Man" Tobey Maguire will climb aboard the second web in January 2003. His pact calls for two to follow the initial outing. Assuming, of course, it's the hit it's expected (hoped) to be, natch.

Meanwhile, Maguire's set for a full schedule of appearances with the initial outing of the film, bowing May 3. Nothing on Sam Raimi returning to direct, though it seems likly. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]101801080934P[an error occurred while processing this directive]Spider-Man 2's Web's Spinning [an error occurred while processing this directive]Variety reports that Spider-Man director Sam Raimi is already laying the groundwork for a sequel to next summer's most-anticipated comic book adaptation. According to the report Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst have option deals for two more Spidey flicks. [an error occurred while processing this directive] [an error occurred while processing this directive]071401065430P[an error occurred while processing this directive]Sam Raimi Spider-Man Interview & Trailer[an error occurred while processing this directive] Sony Pictures's Official Spider-Man website has posted the teaser trailer online. Go check it out!

Also, Spider-Man Hype has posted an interview with director Sam Raimi. Here's a clip about a possible sequel?:

Today, if I were to make the sequel I think it would be an ongoing storyline. I think people, if they like the first picture, which everyone's hoping that they will, they'll have seen Peter Parker move through high school and graduate high school. I think they'd probably be ready to see him start up in college and they've seen a relationship with Mary Jane Watson and it has a particular outcome. They probably want to see the next step or it is going to take an unexpected step with one of the other love interests of Peter Parker. So I think it is going to be a continuation. He's got a relationship with his best friend, Harry Osborn, and that takes a verydramatic turn in the end of the first one that has a lot of pending outcome. So I'm hoping, whether it's me or another director and writer, that they would get these elements effective, they would pick up where the story left them and set the new story from there. So I do think it would be a continuing story.

With the X-Men trilogy in the works, a Spider-Man sequel seems more likly everyday...

Since we're on the subject, Square has posted some comments about Nintendo on GameSpot, which reiterates SquareSoft's plan to release Final Fantasy XI on multiple consoles. [an error occurred while processing this directive]

Links

SpidermanHype.com (Add a link)