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January
29, 2000
Sam Raimi to Direct the Columbia Pictures Action-Adventure Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, JANUARY 29, 2000 - One of the most popular comic book
superheroes is finally prepared to make his leap to the big screen.
After
years of litigation and speculation around the hotly pursued project,
Columbia Pictures has signed Sam Raimi to direct the live-action
feature Spider- Man, it was announced today by studio Chairman Amy
Pascal.
"Sam
is an immensely talented director, and we are thrilled to have him
on board," said Pascal. "His vision for Spider-Man as a character
and as a film simply blew us away. Sam's enthusiasm and energy are
perfect for this project."
A self-confessed
Spider-man fanatic, Raimi, who most recently directed the boxoffice
hit For Love of the Game and the critically acclaimed A Simple Plan,
will begin work on bringing the cagey, web-spinning comic book superhero
to the big screen in November after he has completed The Gift. Raimi
agreed to delay post-production on the drama in order to secure
directing chores for Spider-Man.
Screenwriter
David Koepp, who has written such blockbuster films as Jurassic
Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and such thrillers as Snake
Eyes and Stir of Echoes, joined forces with Spider-Man creator Stan
Lee to draft a preliminary screenplay. Casting announcements are
forthcoming.
Spider-Man,
the creation of veteran comic book writer Lee, first appeared in
comic books in 1962. The story centers on college student Peter
Parker who, after being bitten by a radioactive spider, gains superhuman
strength and the spider-like ability to cling to any surface. Peter
first uses his powers to make money, but when his beloved Uncle
Ben is killed by thieves and Peter is powerless to stop them, he
vows to dedicate his life to fighting crime.
The
film is being readied for a November 2001 release.
July
31, 2000
Tobey Maguire Set Set to Star in the Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment
Action Adventure Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, JULY 31, 2000-Tobey Maguire is set to star as one of the
most popular comic book icons of all time in Columbia Pictures'
live-action feature film adaptation Spider-Man, studio Chairman
Amy Pascal announced today.
The
25-year-old actor most recently earned acclaim for his roles in
Curtis Hanson's Wonder Boys, in which he starred opposite Michael
Douglas, and in 2000 Best Picture Oscar® nominee The Cider House
Rules, directed by Lasse Hallstrom.
Spider-Man
is helmed by Sam Raimi (The Gift, For Love of the Game, A Simple
Plan), a self-confessed fanatic of the cagey, web-spinning hero.
Laura Ziskin (As Good As it Gets, To Die For, Pretty Woman) and
Oscar® nominee Ian Bryce (Almost Famous, Saving Private Ryan, Twister)
produce. Avi Arad (X-Men, Blade) serves as executive producer.
"I
am delighted with this choice," said Pascal. "Tobey's acting ability
and incredible screen presence and Sam's creative vision are a powerful
combination to bring Spider-Man to the screen."
"As
an actor, Tobey is a director's dream," said Raimi. "He has all
the qualities we were looking for in our Peter Parker." Maguire's
other film credits include Ang Lee's Ride With the Devil and The
Ice Storm, Gary Ross' Pleasantville and Woody Allen's Deconstructing
Harry.
David
Koepp (Stir of Echoes, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park)
has drafted a preliminary screenplay for the film; Scott Rosenberg
(Gone In 60 Seconds, High Fidelity, Con Air) has also collaborated
on the script. The creative team includes Oscar®-nominated director
of photography Don Burgess (Cast Away, What Lies Beneath, Forrest
Gump), production designer Neil Spisak (The Gift, For Love of the
Game, Heat) and costume designer James Acheson, who has won Academy
Awards® for Restoration, Dangerous Liaisons and The Last Emperor.
Spider-Man,
the creation of veteran comic book writer Stan Lee, first appeared
in comic books in 1962. The story centers on student Peter Parker
who, after being bitten by a radioactive spider, gains superhuman
strength and the spider- like ability to cling to any surface. Peter
first uses his powers to make money, but when his beloved Uncle
Ben is killed by thieves after Peter chooses not to get involved,
he vows to dedicate his life to fighting crime. The film is slated
to begin shooting in Los Angeles in November. The production will
then move to New York. Spider-Man is being readied for a November
2001 release.
September
13, 2000
Spider-Man Begins Production In January For May 3, 2002
CULVER
CITY, CA, SEPTEMBER 13, 2000 - Columbia Pictures will begin principal
photography on the live-action action-adventure Spider-Man in January
and has set the release of the film for May 3, 2002.
The
start date makes possible a production and post-production schedule
that will enable the film's creators to realize their ambitious
vision for Spider-Man and bring Marvel's worldwide comic book icon
to life.
October
2, 2000
Composer Danny Elfman to score Spider-Man for Columbia Pictures/Marvel
Entertainment
CULVER
CITY, CA, OCTOBER 2, 2000 - Oscar®-nominated composer Danny Elfman
will score Columbia Pictures' live-action feature film Spider-Man,
the studio announced today.
Spider-Man,
slated to begin principal photography in January, stars Tobey Maguire
and is helmed by Sam Raimi (The Gift, For Love of the Game, A Simple
Plan), a self-confessed fanatic of the web-slinging superhero. Laura
Ziskin (As Good As it Gets, To Die For, Pretty Woman) and Oscar®
nominee Ian Bryce (Almost Famous, Saving Private Ryan, Twister)
produce. Avi Arad (X-Men, Blade) serves as executive producer.
The
film centers on student Peter Parker who, after being bitten by
a radioactive spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like
ability to cling to any surface. He vows to dedicate his life to
fighting crime.
Elfman
established himself in music in the mid-1970s when he and his older
brother started a musical troupe that became known as "Oingo-Boingo."
The L.A.-based band continued to compose eclectic rock music during
the 1980s, some of which was used on soundtracks for films like
Weird Science. Elfman formed a friendship with young director Tim
Burton, a fan of the band, and went on to complete his first orchestral
film score for Burton's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure in 1985.
The
Elfman-Burton partnership continued with Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward
Scissorhands, Batman Returns, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Mars
Attacks!, Sleepy Hollow and the forthcoming The Visitor. Elfman
has also scored A Simple Plan and Darkman for Spider-Man director
Sam Raimi. Elfman's impressive list of film scores also includes
Family Man, Proof of Life, Anywhere But Here, A Civil Action, Good
Will Hunting, Men In Black, The Frighteners, Mission: Impossible,
To Die For, Dolores Claiborne, Black Beauty, Sommersby and Midnight
Run.
November
28,2000
James Franco in final negotiations to join the cast of the Columbia
Pictures/Marvel Entertainment action-adventure Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, NOVEMBER 28, 2000 - James Franco is in final negotiations
to join the cast of Columbia Pictures' live-action feature film
Spider-Man, the studio announced today. He will play Harry Osborn,
the high school pal and college roommate of Peter Parker (Tobey
Maguire).
Franco
is currently filming a co-starring role opposite Robert De Niro
in Franchise Pictures' City By the Sea for director Michael Caton-Jones.
He recently completed shooting the title role in TNT's "James Dean,"
directed by Mark Rydell, and the Martin Scorsese-produced independent
film Deuces Wild, starring with Stephen Dorff, Fairuza Balk, Brad
Renfro and Matt Dillon. He was last seen starring on the big screen
in Columbia Pictures/Phoenix Pictures' Whatever It Takes.
Last
season, Franco starred in NBC's critically acclaimed series "Freaks
and Geeks." In 1998, Franco co-starred opposite Drew Barrymore in
the 20th Century Fox hit Never Been Kissed.
December
4,2000
Willem Dafoe to star as the Green Goblin in the Columbia Pictures/Marvel
Entertainment action-adventure Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 4, 2000 - Willem Dafoe has joined the cast of
Columbia Pictures' live-action feature film Spider-Man as the Green
Goblin, the arch-nemesis of the cagey comic book icon, the studio
announced today. Dafoe will star opposite Tobey Maguire, who plays
Spider-Man.
Dafoe,
who earned a 1987 Oscar® nomination for his portrayal of 'Sergeant
Elias' in Oliver Stone's Platoon, recently starred in Steve Buscemi's
Animal Factory. Upcoming films for the actor include Shadow of the
Vampire, Pavilion of Women and Edges of the Lord.
December
19, 2000
Kirsten Dunst to star opposite Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man for Columbia
Pictures/Marvel Entertainment
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 19, 2000 - Kirsten Dunst, star of the summer
hit Bring It On and the critically acclaimed The Virgin Suicides,
is in final negotiations to star opposite Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man,
the live-action feature film about the comic book icon, the studio
announced today.
Spider-Man,
slated to begin principal photography in January, is helmed by Sam
Raimi (The Gift, For Love of the Game, A Simple Plan), a self-confessed
fanatic of the web-slinging superhero. Laura Ziskin (As Good As
it Gets, To Die For, Pretty Woman) and Oscar® nominee Ian Bryce
(Almost Famous, Saving Private Ryan, Twister) produce. Avi Arad
(X-Men, Blade) serves as executive producer.
The
film centers on student Peter Parker (Maguire) who, after being
bitten by a mutant spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like
ability to cling to any surface. He vows to dedicate his life to
fighting crime. Dunst plays aspiring actress Mary Jane Watson, Peter's
irresistible love interest. Peter goes up against Harry Osborn (James
Franco), his high school pal and college roommate, to win Mary Jane's
heart. The film also stars Willem Dafoe as The Green Goblin, Spider-Man's
arch- enemy, Cliff Robertson as Peter's beloved Uncle Ben, and J.K.
Simmons as Jonah Jameson, the publisher of the Daily Bugle and Peter
Parker's gruff but kind-hearted boss. Dunst's other recent credits
include Dick and Drop Dead Gorgeous. She first captured the attention
of both audiences and critics for her portrayal of the ageless child
vampire in Interview With A Vampire, opposite Tom Cruise and Brad
Pitt, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination. Her other
film credits include Wag the Dog, Jumanji, Bonfire of the Vanities
and Little Women, opposite Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon.
December
4,2000
Willem Dafoe to star as the Green Goblin in the Columbia Pictures/Marvel
Entertainment action-adventure Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 4, 2000 - Willem Dafoe has joined the cast of
Columbia Pictures' live-action feature film Spider-Man as the Green
Goblin, the arch-nemesis of the cagey comic book icon, the studio
announced today.
Dafoe
will star opposite Tobey Maguire, who plays Spider-Man. Dafoe, who
earned a 1987 Oscar® nomination for his portrayal of 'Sergeant Elias'
in Oliver Stone's Platoon, recently starred in Steve Buscemi's Animal
Factory. Upcoming films for the actor include Shadow of the Vampire,
Pavilion of Women and Edges of the Lord.
December
20, 2000
Rosemary Harris Joins The Cast of the Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment
Action-Adventure Spider-Man, the Live-Action Feature Film about
the Comic Book Icon, the Studio Announced Today
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 20, 2000 - Academy Award® nominee Rosemary Harris
has joined the cast of Spider-Man, the live-action feature film
about the comic book icon, the studio announced today.
December
21, 2000
Oscar® Winner Cliff Robertson Joins the Cast of Columbia Pictures/Marvel
Entertainment's Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 21, 2000 - Academy Award® winner and veteran
film star Cliff Robertson has joined the cast of the live-action
feature Spider-Man as Peter Parker's (Tobey Maguire) beloved Uncle
Ben, Columbia Pictures announced today.
Spider-Man,
slated to begin principal photography in January, is helmed by Sam
Raimi (The Gift, For Love of the Game, A Simple Plan), a self-confessed
fanatic of the web-slinging superhero. Laura Ziskin (As Good As
it Gets, To Die For, Pretty Woman) and Oscar® nominee Ian Bryce
(Almost Famous, Saving Private Ryan, Twister) produce. Avi Arad
(X-Men, Blade) serves as executive producer.
The
film centers on student Parker who, after being bitten by a mutant
spider, gains superhuman strength and the spider-like ability to
cling to any surface. After Uncle Ben's tragic death, he vows to
dedicate his life to fighting crime. It is Ben's immortal words,
"With great power comes great responsibility," that guide Peter
as he lives his double life as Spider-Man. The film also stars Willem
Dafoe as the villainous Green Goblin, Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane
Watson, James Franco as Harry Osborn, J.K. Simmons as Jonah Jameson
and Rosemary Harris as Aunt May.
Robertson
has appeared in over 50 feature films in a career that spans over
60 years. In 1969, he won an Academy Award® for his portrayal of
the title character in the film Charly, based on the short story
"Flowers for Algernon." Robertson has also appeared in such classics
as Gidget, opposite Sandra Dee; Picnic, also starring William Holden
and Kim Novak; and Three Days of the Condor, opposite Faye Dunaway
and Robert Redford; as well as such new classics as Escape from
L.A., opposite Kurt Russell; and Renaissance Man, opposite Danny
DeVito. Robertson's many notable TV appearances include the original
"Batman" TV series, "The Twilight Zone" and such telefilms as 1958's
"Days of Wine and Roses" and 1990's "Dead Reckoning."
December
21, 2000
J.K. Simmons Joins the Cast of Columbia Pictures/Marvel Entertainment's
Spider-Man
CULVER
CITY, CA, DECEMBER 21, 2000 - J.K. Simmons will star opposite Tobey
Maguire's Spider-Man in the live-action feature film about the comic
book icon, Columbia Pictures announced today. Simmons will play
Jonah Jameson, the publisher of the Daily Bugle and Peter Parker's
gruff but kind-hearted boss.
Simmons
will next be seen in The Mexican opposite Julia Roberts and Brad
Pitt. He is also a regular on HBO's "Oz." His other credits include
Sam Raimi's forthcoming The Gift, Autumn in New York, Raimi's For
Love of the Game, The Jackal and Extreme Measures. Simmons can also
be seen on the hit TV series "Law & Order" as 'Dr. Emil Skoda'.
April
4, 2001
Columbia Pictures Posts $25,000 Reward For Missing Spider-Man Costumes
CULVER
CITY, CA, April 4, 2001-Columbia Pictures has posted a $25,000 reward
for information leading to the prompt and safe return of four Spider-Man
costumes reported missing early Tuesday from the Sony Pictures Studios
lot.
Columbia
Pictures has created a hotline for tips leading to the recovery
of the costumes. Anyone with information regarding the missing costumes
is asked to call the Columbia hotline at (310) 244-1044. Details
concerning terms of the reward are available through Columbia Pictures.
Spider-Man
Synopsis and Review -click here
Review by Mike Furches -click here
Review by Annette Wierstra -click
here
Spider-Man Posters -click here
Spider-Man Trailers, Photos -click
here
Spider-Man Production -click here
Spider-Man Spiritual Connections -click
here
Spider-Man Forum -click
here
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