At this year's ShoWest in Las Vegas, Kirsten Dunst showed up to accept the ShoWest Female Star of the Year, and at the press conference that preceded the awards ceremony, the question on many minds was whether she would be willing to make another movie in the "Spider-Man" franchise.

"Well, I think Sam has dedicated so much of his life, like more than ten years, to the 'Spider-Man' franchise with so much passion and love, the man is burnt out at this time," she told reporters. "I think he needs a long vacation to put his creativity towards something else and then maybe we'll revisit it. I told Sam that we should do a 'Spider-Man 4' that's completely low budget--'Evil Dead' style--where Mary Jane has eight children with very little special effects and then we'll get a whole new audience, we'd make a lot of money because it wouldn't cost as much and everyone would go see it."

When asked about the rumors that Sony is moving forward with a fourth movie with or without Raimi, Dunst was surprised that someone would even suggest it. "Do they want to give Sam Raimi a heart attack? That's evil. Sorry, that's not happening any time soon. I would just say no for Sam's sake so that he can have a break. We would all do it together because Sam, Tobey and I are a team now, but there's no way it's going to happen very soon. I just can't imagine that. We don't have the story to tell right now."

"I really have evolved as an actress and as a person from 1 to 3, so for me, the role has grown with me," Dunst said when asked about what she felt she has brought to the role of Mary Jane. "She's always a woman searching and she's always been someone that at that time of my life I could relate to. In this film, because we're older and the relationships are deeper than we've seen in the last two, it's only made all of our roles so much more meaningful to all of us. We never rest on our laurels with these films, we always try to make it better, and I think it'll really show in this third one."

"Where is this being fed to?" Dunst asked inquisitively. "The internet? Great." (And cause you can't tell tone of voice from reading this, let's just say that she seemed less than thrilled by that last bit.)

Nothing like another ‘Superhero’ movie rumour to end the week – watch it spread like wildfire and by the end of the weekend, be considered fact – hey fellas?
Cinemablend.com has been slipped a fortune cookie - on it, the note : ‘Morlun will play the villain in Spider-Man 4’ on it. (Sounds more interesting saying that’s how the rumour arrived). Yeah I know, it’s pretty early to be talking about the central characters of a “Spider-Man 4”, when “Spider-Man 3” hasn’t even been locked yet… but that’s the name of the game here on the wild and wacky webby rollercoaster.
Anyway, Morlun’s one of the newer characters to the “Spider-Man” universe – debuting in a 2001 comic.
The vampiric being apparently waked the earth for centuries. He fills his stomach with totems – the core power sources of the universe – as well as entrées likes humans and super humans. When he first appeared in the big city, Morlun – who possessed the power of a pure totem – drew Spider-Man to him. Even after Spidey started to dress in civilian clothes, Morlun could still pick up Spidey like a submarine on radar.
The site also reports that director Sam Raimi and stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst may actually be returning for the new movie. All three, at one stage, said they probably wouldn’t be returning for a fourth. Amazing how a few million bucks can change someone’s mind.
Just one question: If Morlun is going to be villain of “Spider-Man 4” then WHEN THE HELL is Dylan Baker - who has been waiting for his chance to play his character’s alter-ego for two films now – going to be playing The Lizard??

Rumours suggesting that Tobey Maguire isn’t returning for another “Spider-Man” film – following this Summer’s “Spider-Man 3” – are rather premature.

The actor tells Sci-Fi Wire that he’ll indeed consider wearing the red spandex again for a “Spider-Man 4”.

"Well, it's possible that we make another movie," Maguire said in an interview. "It all depends on if there's a story worth telling. I feel very proud of the three movies that we've made. I feel like the stories all deserve to be told, and, you know, if they come up with a good movie, and the whole team wants to get back together, and we feel like we can make a good movie that's worth making, then I'm up for it."

Co-star Kirsten Dunst has said the same, that if there’s a great script on the table she’s not passing up the opportunity to bring Mary-Jane back. "I would work with Sam on any movie he wanted to work on it with me, because I just adore that man."

If Maguire does decide to hang up his tights, Producer Avi Arad plans on making “Spider-Man 4” anyway (and I think we all know who’ll get the call to replace him).

There’s been a few worrying rumours crossing the webbly wires the last couple of days regarding Tobey Maguire and who they’ll get to replace him in “Spider-Man 4” should he decide to sit it out in the hope of a “Seabiscuit” sequel.

Cinemablend are reporting that up-and-comer Joseph Gordon Levitt (“The Lookout”, “Brick”) is the latest young gun to be linked to the ‘could be the new Peter Parker’ rumours.

The site says, “Our source says the people in charge over at Sony were impressed by his performance in The Lookout, and that has him on their radar. And it should. Levitt’s brilliant in it. Actually, he’s brilliant in everything. He’s one of the best young actors working today. He also has the right build, the right look, and could easily step in where Tobey Maguire has already tread.”

Personally, I think Maguire’s going to be thrown a lot of cabbage to do the next movie so no one’s going to have to worry about anyone taking-in the spider-man costume for a new actor.

Superhero Hype! talked to "Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi and star Kirsten Dunst today (Thursday) and we asked whether they would return for a fourth installment.

"Absolutely," said Raimi. "Yes, I just don't know what the future holds right now because it's so fresh and just having finished this film like a week ago. It's taken so many years to put together. My mind is an empty blank right now."

Good news! Also, Kirsten Dunst told us that she would do another film if both Raimi and Tobey Maguire returned.

At the Los Angeles press junket today, Spider-Man 3 director Sam Raimi confirmed that Sony Pictures is doing a 4th, 5th and 6th installment of the popular franchise.

We'll have his exact words shortly, but Raimi said that he hasn't had time to think of any involvement and he doesn't want to presume Sony would want him to direct.

He said there has to be a good story to tell and that "it'd be very hard to say goodbye to 'Spider Man.'"

Should Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst abandon the world of spandex, spiders and sexual tension and let someone else headline the inevitable “Spider-Man 4”…. Cinemablend.com has revealed (take it with a grain of salt for now, it’s way too early to be predicting or assuming who’ll be replacing actors who haven’t yet decided whether they wanna be replaced) whose most likely going to get first dibs.

Weeksy’s going to like this one.

Mandy Moore is already being touted as a possible replacement for Dunst as Mary-Jane. Now that I can see. I really can. She’s a spunk, sure, but she also likes pretty darn close – especially with her current locks – to the comic incarnation of the character. I’m sure fans would be happy with the popstress stepping in for Dunst should Blondie decide to sit it out.
And then, says the site, Alexis Bledel and Camilla Belle have been mentioned for the part.

The site previously reported that Jake Gyllenhaal and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were the frontrunners to play the new Spider-Man should Maguire opt out of the next one – Personally, I think he will; I think they all will – but adds that an unspecified third name could be in the mix, too. Frankie Muniz perhaps?

Heh.

Tonight I got an email from one our most sure thing inside sources with big details on what’s up with the future of Spider-Man after the release of Spider-Man 3 this weekend. For months now we’ve all been swimming through rumors over whether or not Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and director Sam Raimi will be back for more with this one, and till now we’ve never been able to get a straight answer as to what’s really going on inside Sony.

Well now we have one. Our inside source, let’s call it Secret Squirrel (I loved that cartoon), has been hiding in the air ducts and janitorial closets over at Sony Pictures and has the dirt on exactly where things stand with the franchise. The surprising news here is that the future of Spider-Man seems to depend, in large part, on how many of you turn up to see Spider-Man 3 this weekend. The thing is, Raimi, Maguire, and Dunst are demanding massive paychecks to even consider re-signing. Sony, is only willing to pay them if Spidey 3 does the kind of massive business they’re expecting it to do. So step one to getting them back may simply be about all of you buying tickets this weekend.

The politics over at Sony are pretty complicated, so here’s a direct connect to Secret Squirrel with all the details:

This weekend is crucial to Sony and the cast of Spider-Man 3 on so many levels that you would be surprised. Of course you know the story of how much this film cost and how much they hope this film breaks records this weekend ( It will) but I doubt you know that the negotiations for the cast to come back also depend on how much this film makes in its run.

It’s rumored that Tobey will get about 20 million to come back for another Spidey film but that’s not what I am hearing. I’m hearing that he could get about $25 to $30 million for it, but it depends if Spidey 3 makes it to the same vicinity as the last two films in terms of box office. Now those in Sony don’t want to give Tobey or the returning cast that kind of money because they want to lock the cast down for the next three films instead of one and they want to do it cheaply, so they are looking at other actors to continue the franchise in a cheaper way and if the movie opens big and makes a boat load of cash, Tobey and the cast has a huge advantage in negotiations.

In negotiations though, there are many factors involved. One is ego, second is respect and the last is worth; and some of these factors play a crucial role in what will happen with Spidey 4. Sam Raimi was pretty much brow beaten into putting the character Venom into Spidey 3, that’s been established already. Spidey 3 was only supposed to have the character of Sandman as the main villain with the character of Harry playing in the middle, (The story in Entertainment Weekly of the Vulture being a villain in this film was spin to excuse the inclusion of Venom) so he really could not make the film he wanted to make. Sam was given almost full reign and trust when he did Spidey 2 and that film is considered a landmark in terms of super hero films and in sequels but as usual, people got possessive and greedy (Avi Arad and others) and wanted to leave their mark on the series as well, so Spidey 3 (from what I heard from more than a few people who has seen it) feels uneven, awkward and over stuff because of the interference. If Sam does come back to the franchise, he might want a little more control over it and that might not happen because there are so many people who want to dictate the direction of the series and Sam might not want the problems he faced with Spidey 3 again.

So don’t be surprised if they get a new director when they officially announce Spidey 4. Tobey on the other hand has been flip flopping about being involved in the next film for ages now and he would to it if Raimi does come back (and he gets a huge paycheck). Kirsten Dunst would as well but it’s also up to Sony if they willing to pay to have them back. Again, money is a huge issue here and they want to lock them in for three films instead of one so they might just cut them loose completely if in fact they could. The box office of Spidey 3 will be a big factor in Sony’s decision making in keeping both actors as well as Sam Raimi’s decision to stay with the series if he chooses to.

So what happens if nobody comes back for Spider-Man 4? Doesn’t matter. Sony is moving on anyway. Secret Squirrel has the scoop on who they’re looking at for replacements. The names being circulated for replacing Maguire we’ve heard before, but this is the first I’ve heard of possible Mary Jane recasting.

Peter Parker:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jake Gyllenhall are the front runners as of now but word is that a third name might be thrown in the mix as well.

Mary Jane:
Mandy Moore, Alexis Bledel and Camilla Belle are the ones being mention for the role as of now but more names could be added later as well.

As for Spidey 4, its going to be a start of a new trilogy that includes this cryptic message that my friend was given. “A marriage, a death and a birth” My friend figured it out already thanks to a relative who is a comic geek, so you might as well.

SS is one of the most reliable anonymous sources we have, but it’s still an anonymous source. Seriously folks, I know how much you all hate them. Secret has given me enough nails on info in the past that I believe this information can be trusted, but since you don’t know who’s giving it to me you have absolutely no reason to take it as fact. Remember, it’s all just rumor until there’s an official confirmation. Heck, right now it sounds like everything is still up in the air anyway. True or not, Spider-Man 4 could still go any which way.

Superhero Hype! got a chance to talk to 30 Days of Night producer and "Spider-Man" franchise director Sam Raimi today. He was asked about the status of Spider-Man 4.

"Right now, Sony is meeting with different writers to try and bring a fresh new story and approach to the 'Spider-Man' franchise," Raimi told us, "so I've been in meetings with Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, the producers, and Amy Pascal. Different writers have been coming in and spinning different tales of where 'Spider-Man' can go from here."

A writers' strike may be upon us, but that hasn't slowed Sony's plans for Spider-Man 4. James Vanderbilt, the writer behind David Fincher's gritty thriller Zodiac, has been hired to pen the script for the new Spidey installment. (Vanderbilt may not be able to write during the strike, but the WGA can't stop him from thinking, right?) It's unknown whether Sam Raimi will direct the four-quel, but he's likely to be involved in some way. The studio is scheduling the film for a 2010 release.

Yah, I havent even watched the second one. I think the main mistake they made was in the main characters, not the right choice imho.