Spider-Man 4 Gets an IMAX Upconvert on May 5, 2011 - Fandomania.com

Columbia Pictures and the IMAX Corporation are press releasing this morning, letting us know that they will be releasing Spider-Man 4 on May 5, 2011 on the biggest of the big screen formats. This announcement comes hot off the heels of speculation from actor Bruce Campbell about the project’s start date, which allegedly will be in January. The only problem is that Spider-Man 4 will not be shot using IMAX technology, but rather re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.

That doesn’t seem to weigh heavy on the execs at Sony and IMAX though. They seem pretty stoked about the whole ordeal:

“The last two Spider-Man releases have been available in IMAX theaters, and we’re very much looking forward to our return to a wider IMAX theatre network with this exciting new chapter in the continuing adventures of Spider-Man,” said Rory Bruer, President, Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing. “The addition of so many new IMAX locations will give even more fans of Spider-Man an opportunity to experience the action and adventure in a unique way.”

“Spider-Man continues to be one of the world’s most popular motion picture franchises, and we are very excited to include the latest chapter as part of our 2011 slate,” said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “Our network has grown significantly and we continue to roll-out new theaters virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in IMAX.”

“We’re so excited to once again work with our friends at Columbia Pictures, Sony and Marvel to bring this beloved superhero back to IMAX theatres,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “The Spider-Man franchise has been so important to the growth of our network and fan base over the years and we’re certainly looking forward to re-teaming with the entire cast and production team to bring this next chapter to moviegoers worldwide.”

Spider-Man 4 will reunite director Sam Raimi with stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) is currently working on the screenplay.

Will you see Spider-Man 4 in IMAX?

STORY FROM FANDOMAINA.COM

Two more ‘Spider-Man’ films on the way - Tobey to return

Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi are looking to spin more webs for Sony’s Columbia Pictures.

The actor and helmer are said to be close to locking in a deal to return for the fourth and fifth installments of the studio’s top-grossing “Spider-Man” franchise, with Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad producing.

In hopes of containing costs, Columbia is considering shooting the films back-to-back starting in fall 2009, much like New Line did with “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which filmed simultaneously for 274 days. Ziskin 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 Sony’s most successful movie franchise; the first three films have grossed $2.5 billion worldwide.

Although there has been speculation whether Maguire would return to play Peter Parker, the studio said there was no question he would be back.

“The studio never considered any other actor. Tobey was our only choice and the only person we’ve discussed the role with,” Sony spokesman Steve Elzer said.

Both Maguire and Raimi are repped by CAA.

The 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 developing the “Spider-Man” spinoff “Venom,” first recruiting writer Jacob Estes to draft a script and most recently bringing in scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who penned “Zombieland” for the studio.

Topher Grace played Venom in “Spider-Man 3,” but it’s unclear whether Sony would cast him for the “Venom” feature or bring in new talent. - Story from ghosthousepictures.com.