Marc Webb-slinger Directing New Spider-Man

"(500) Days of Summer" director Marc Webb has been given the reins to the once mighty Spider-Man. But make no mistake, he is not replacing Sam Raimi.

"That would be impossible, not to mention arrogant," Webb told Variety. "I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas and creative voice to 'Spider-Man.'"

Considering that Raimi has two decades' worth of great films in his catalog, while Webb has directed one quirky indie romcom and some music videos, his deference is wise.

After an embarrassingly long and public bout of "creative differences" between Sony Pictures and Raimi, the studio finally decided to scrap "Spider-Man 4" entirely and reboot the franchise. It took only a few hours for Webb's name to surface as a possible heir. And not two weeks later, it's been made official.

This could work. Webb's commercially-friendly music video style combined with his art-house sensibility could help breathe new life into Spider-Man. 

It's a no-lose situation, for him and the studio. As great as Raimi is, "Spider-Man 3" was a bust. Combine the audience's flagging interest and Raimi's disagreements with the studio and it was clearly time for a change. If "SM4" is a bust, both Webb and Sony can launch whisper campaigns blaming each other. Hooray for Hollywood.

And the name? Webb? C'mon... However, if his slate of videos (Fergie, Good Charlotte) is any indication, he has terrible taste in music.

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