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Tobey Maguire and Spider-Man director Sam Raimi plan to reunite for the fourth and fifth installments of Columia Pictures' comic book franchise, dispelling speculation that a new actor would play the crime-fighter.
“The studio never considered any other actor. Tobey was our only choice and the only person we've discussed the role with,” said studio spokesman Steve Elzer.
In hopes of containing costs, Columbia is considering shooting the films back-to-back starting in autumn 2009, much like New Line did with The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which filmed simultaneously for 274 days.
Laura Ziskin, who will produce with Avi Arad, had said she would like to aim for a May 2011 release for Spider-Man 4, nine years after the original movie's debut.
Jamie Vanderbilt (Zodiac) is writing the screenplay.
Spider-Man is Columbia's most successful movie franchise.
The Sony-owned studio declined comment on what villains might appear in the next two films or whether Kirsten Dunst would reprise her role as Mary Jane Watson, though it is hoped she will follow Maguire's lead and return.
Sony also has stepped up development of the Spider-Man spinoff Venom. Topher Grace played Venom in 2007's Spider-Man 3, but it's unclear whether Sony would cast him for the Venom feature or bring in new talent.
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