The MCU’s “Spider-Man 4,” the follow-up to 2021’s mega successful “No Way Home,” is supposed to begin production this fall, in late September. However, Sony still doesn’t have a director attached for this one.
Jon Watts, who helmed the first three Spideys, has graduated to making films with George Clooney and Brad Pitt (“Wolfs” and “Wolves”). He’s not coming back.
For months, Justin Lin was one of the names said to be in contention, but he’s now hopped onboard another project, MGM/Amazon’s “Stakehorse”. He’s out of the running.
Another rumored name was Drew Goddard (“Cabin in the Woods”), touted as another contender since January, but he’s now heavily involved in directing the next ‘Matrix’ film.
Here’s a big update that I’m sure will be greeted with open arms. This morning, I was told that Sam Raimi is now in contention to direct ‘Spider Man 4.’ That’s right, Raimi, who directed the first three original Spideys, back in the aughts, is in the running.
No formal offer has been given to Raimi, but there have been talks, and it might all depend on whether Raimi’s busy schedule permits it. He’s attached to direct “Send Help,” a horror-thriller, but that one might be put in the backburner for Spidey 4.
I really hope Raimi gets it — 2004’s “Spider-Man 2” is known as not only the best Spidey movie ever made, but also one of the best comic book movies ever made. At least, in my world it is. Raimi isn’t just know for his Spider-Man movies. Some of his most notable credits include “Evil Dead,” “Darkman,” “A Simple Plan,” and “Drag Me To Hell.”
The other names I’ve been told might also be in the running are John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, they directed “Game Night,” “Dungeons & Dragons,” and wrote 2017’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” They could be a good fit. Also, Jon Favreau, who kicked off the whole MCU in 2008 with “Iron Man,” is someone that has been mentioned to me, a couple of times, as a possibility.
Tom Holland and Zendaya are set to return in their respective roles for “Spider-Man 4”. There’s still no release date yet for the film— possibly late 2025? The last instalment (“Spider-Man: No Way Home”) grossed a whopping $1,9 billion worldwide despite being released in 2021 during the pandemic.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.