“Spider-Man 4 [and 5]”

I had a pretty good idea for a “Spider-Man 4″ fan script. Peter Parker and Mary Jane would’ve gotten back together after their breakup in movie three. MJ’s acting career hasn’t exactly picked up, but she has been hired on as a consultant for a “Spider-Man” film that’s being shot in New York; Gwen Stacy of all people has been cast as Mary Jane in the movie-within-a-movie. Peter’s even been given a press pass to get some exclusive shots of the film’s production for “The Daily Bugle.” An accident on the set during a recreation of the George Washington Bridge climax from the first film nearly kills Gwen (she’s saved by the authentic Spidey), and stunt coordinator/special effects guru Quentin Beck (to be played by Bruce Campbell) is fired from the production for his carelessness. He soon dons the persona of dome-headed Mysterio and begins an FX-laden crime wave in New York City. Meanwhile, Peter learns that his late friend Harry Osborn named him the sole beneficiary to his vast fortune, eliminating Peter’s money problems altogether. But all the money in the world might not be enough to save his terminally ill Aunt May. What’s more, Mary Jane begins to discover she’s inherited her own spider-like powers from her relationship with Peter; they’ve been sexually-transmitted, kids!

It’s a fan-script I’ll never write, one of those things I cooked up during my interminable commute a few months ago. There isn’t much in the way of a story. At the moment, it’s simply a first act. But I always like having the makings of a Spider-Man sequel percolating in the back of my mind. You never know when you might bump into Sam Raimi. And I’m absolutely certain he loves to hear pitches for Spidey sequels from unestablished screenwriters like me. Who wouldn’t?

At any rate, my vision for “Spider-Man 4″ looks like it may never be realized on-screen. James Vanderbilt, writer of last year’s “Zodiac,” has delivered an epic draft for movies four and five! Plot details are nil, but I imagine both films will feature Spider-Man in some capacity. Before the third film went into production, the filmmakers had considered shooting parts three and four back-to-back, a la the first two “Superman” films, or more recently “The Matrix” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels. So it’s entirely possible that the next two Spidey films will be shot simultaneously and released mere months apart.

Unfortunately, actors Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst have fulfilled their three-picture deals, and director Raimi’s hinted at returning to the franchise as a producer only. In lieu of expensive contract renegotiations with the principals and the filmmaker, it’s possible the studio might cast newer, cheaper stars (Shia Labeouf? Lindsay Lohan?) and hire a new young visionary to call the shots (Eli Roth?). I think it’s a greater risk, though, to lose so many key components to the franchise at once and double-down with a pair of sequels. If the fourth film falters (there’s some Stan Lee alliteration in your eye!), how will Sony Pictures be able to sell movie five?

Maybe the mega-script for parts four and five is so good, Maguire, Dunst and Raimi will be chomping at the bit to return to the franchise. I know the studio wants to squeeze 6 films out of the Spider-Man brand. I’d like to see them maintain a sense of continuity with the cast and with Raimi in the director’s chair. It’s for the good of the franchise that they keep the original vision intact. They’re also welcome to use my script for movie six. My fee is dirt cheap.

-Brad Lohan

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