The Times reports that Tobey Maguire, known best for his on-screen personas Peter Parker and Spider-Man, has allegedly scored a $50 million salary, plus profit shares, for two Spider-Man films that will be shot back-to-back over six months next year.
While the salary is expected, what was surprising was a distinct stipulation in the contract that he be granted ‘family time’. Maguire is to be given early mornings and evenings off to spend time with his 22 month-old daughter Ruby Sweetheart.
Sony Pictures is yet to announce whether Kirsten Dunst will reprise her role as on-screen love interest Mary Jane Watson.
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With the critical and fan disappointment of Spiderman 3, the forthcoming sequel failed to ignite excitement. However, Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that the film will definitely be directed by Sam Raimi and starring original actor Tobey Maguire.
There’s no news about the plot-line of the fourth instalment, although many speculate that Dr. Curt Connors, who already appeared in Spiderman 3, played by Dylan Baker, will become one of Spidey’s regular enemies, The Lizard. James Vanderbilt is helming the script, and considering how engaging his script for Zodiac was, we may see a touter story than the pithy tales of Venom and Sandman.
While Maguire’s involvement is a relief for fans, who most saw as the ideal actor to play Peter Parker, as that ensures consistency throughout the series, I’m not convinced that Sam Raimi should return. Spiderman 3 felt tired, as if the director was going through the motions. A bit of directorial vitality is necessary if the franchise wants to continue.
Deadline Hollywood Daily is also speculating that Spiderman 4 and 5 will be directed at the same time.
Don’t get too excited, though, as we won’t be seeing another Spiderman film until 2011.
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If all goes as planned, Tobey Maguire is set to star in The Crusaders, a drama about the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education case.
Gary Ross is set to direct. Ross and Maguire teamed on Pleasantville and Seabiscuit.
Maguire will play Jack Greenberg, who, as an idealistic lawyer fresh out of law school, joined with NAACP Legal Defense Fund head and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall to win a Supreme Court case that ruled segregation in American schools illegal. The story is based on Greenberg’s memoirs “Crusaders in the Courts.”
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On /Film is word that Spider-Man 4 will hit theaters in May 2011, or at least that’s what Sony Pictures is hoping for. It was confirmed by series producer Laura Ziskin who notified the theaters owners of this.
Ziskin also revealed that screenwriter James Vanderbilt has not yet turned in a final screenplay, and that they are hopeful to stick to a 2011 schedule.
The film may see the original crew return, along with director Sam Raimi who was reportedly "excited to read" the screenplay. No stars have yet been signed on, though Sony has gone on record to say that they want Tobey Maguire back for the fourth film.
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