Tuesday, November 3

• Tobey Maguire Talks About the Strain of Brothers

  Tobey Maguire told The LA Times that the intensity of working on his latest movie, the family drama Brothers, had such an effect that he "lost a lot of joy" while working on it.

  I wasn't even aware of it. I don't mean it to sound goofy or artsy or something, but two days before we wrapped, I started telling some jokes and laughing, whatever, and it was like a release for me. I hadn't done that in, like, two months.

  Brothers follows a military wife (Natalie Portman) who is told that her husband (Maguire) has died in Afghanistan. Grieving, she finds solace with her husband's brother (Jake Gyllenhaal) until her husband suddenly arrives home. The role is a real change of pace for the Spider-Man actor, who was pleased to shed some light on the real problems that soldiers face.

  In the area of our veterans coming home with traumas or PTSD or whatever, it's one of those issues that isn't pretty to look at. We ask these people to fight for us and risk their lives, and certainly potentially alter their outlook of the world or how they react to things. I think it would be nice for us as a society to have some more awareness of what they go through, and to take on some more responsibility for the results of our asking them to go over there.

  Maguire lost 20 pounds to play the Marine captain who survives captivity in Afghanistan and says that playing the role had a profound effect on him.

  The general sort of tone of the piece and the character stuck with me — it was more like a mood. I was in a mood for two months.

  Brothers was based on the Danish movie Brødre and was directed by Jim Sheridan. Brothers opens December 4.

  
  
  

  Brothers - Trailer

  A woman turns to her brother-in-law when she thinks her husband is dead

  Posted 11/03/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Jake Gyllenhaal | Natalie Portman | Tobey Maguire | Jim Sheridan | Brothers

Tuesday, September 15

• Sony and Columbia Plan More IMAX Screenings for Spider-Man 4

  

  We suppose it's no surprise that Sony and Columbia will release Spider-Man 4 in IMAX when it comes out on May 5, 2011. But for those who needed an official announcement, here it is.

  ComingSoon.net reports that several representatives of Sony and IMAX made statements to the press confirming that they are planning even more IMAX screenings than were available for the last installment. One of these representatives was Rory Bruer, President of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures Releasing:

  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. 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.

  Director Sam Raimi, who helmed the first three movies, is back for the fourth, as are stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. In addition, cult-movie star Bruce Campbell — who cameoed as a boxing-ring announcer, a theater usher, and a French waiter in the first three movies — will reportedly have a larger role in Spider-Man 4, much to our delight.

  
  

  Posted 09/15/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Bruce Campbell | Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 4

Tuesday, September 8

• Nicolas Cage to Star in Hungry Rabbit Jumps

  

  On its blog Heat Vision, The Hollywood Reporter writes that Nicolas Cage has signed on to star in the upcoming thriller Hungry Rabbit Jumps. The news comes just one week after the announcement that Cage would star in another revenge flick, Drive Angry.

  Hungry Rabbit Jumps is being directed by Roger Donaldson, who also helmed Thirteen Days, The Recruit, and The World's Fastest Indian. The script by Robert Tannen involves a man who becomes entangled with an underground vigilante organization after his wife falls victim to a brutal crime.

  Tobey Maguire is acting as one of the movie's producers (through his company, Maguire Entertainment), and the movie is reportedly scheduled to begin filming in New Orleans this coming January. Also producing is Jim Stern of Endgame, who commented briefly on the project:

  As a company, we've been wanting to do a thriller for a long time ... In the best of the Hitchcockian tradition, we've got a character who's offered the chance for vengeance and he finds himself in over his head.

  No release date or other casting decisions have been announced.

  
  

  Posted 09/08/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Nicolas Cage | Tobey Maguire | Roger Donaldson | Robert Tannen

Wednesday, July 22

• The Top 10 Spider-Man 4 Villain Candidates

  

  There are a lot of superhero movies out there, but the hero is only half the story — the boring half, in fact. However much you love a hero, it takes a great villain to really bring a movie over the top. There needs to be a foil to the hero's strengths: a Joker for the Batman, a Red Skull for Captain America, a Michael Bay for the American public.

  Without a villain, all you’ve got is someone prancing around in tights for a couple hours ... a terrible idea unless Sony unexpectedly takes our suggestion and casts Jessica Alba in the title role. Since sadly that seems unlikely to happen, we have a few suggestions for who the still unannounced villain of Spider-Man 4 should be. While popular favorites (the Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, and emo haircuts) have already been used up, Spider-Man has been around for nearly 50 years. The series offers a wide variety of possibilities, each sillier than the last. We count down the Top 10 Spider-Man 4 Villain Candidates here.

  
  

  Posted 07/22/2009 by reelz

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 4

Thursday, April 23

• Sam Raimi to Talk Kirsten Dunst into Spider-Man 4

  When it comes to the fourth installment of the Spider-Man series, Kirsten Dunst has been the sole hold-out. Tobey Maguire is back. Sam Raimi is going to direct. Even Bruce Campbell is likely to do another cameo, however Dunst has yet to join in on the web-slinging fun. Raimi is hoping to change that. Raimi told SciFiWire that he's planning on meeting with Dunst soon:

  I'm hoping that she is going to come aboard, and I've got a meeting coming up with her. I think she would like to. But I don't want to speak on behalf of her.

  Why not join Spider-Man 4? There's a script from a Pulitzer-Prize winner arriving at the end of summer, Raimi has more control over the movie, plus Dunst will be able to yet again dye her natural blonde hair to an unnatural-looking red! (Not to mention, those Spider-Man movies are kinda successful.) Jump on board, Kirsten!

  
  
  Next Showing: Spider-Man 4 opens May 6, 2011

  Posted 04/23/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Bruce Campbell | Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 4

Wednesday, April 1

• Robert Pattinson Replaces Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man 4

  The news dropped like a bombshell early this morning that Sony Pictures has signed Robert Pattinson (Twilight) to replace Tobey Maguire in the titular role in Spider-Man 4.

  In the official press release, Amy Pascal, Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures and Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group, announced that Pattinson would not only be assuming the role of Peter Parker and his alter-ego, Spider-Man, in Spider-Man 4, but also in Spider-Man 5 and in a spin-off film to be announced at a later date.

  It is no secret that Pascal has been shopping around for an actor to fill the red-and-blue tights for some time. Only a few months ago, negotiations between Sony and Maguire nearly broke down because of the actor's reluctance to return to what he described as a "worn-out concept."

  Sam Raimi, the cult film director and mastermind behind the multi-billion dollar Spider-Man franchise, recently blamed the failure of Spider-Man 3 to meet expectations on corporate control interfering with his creative process. Is the Sony Pictures press release another example of the type of control Raimi was referring to or a step toward realizing the director's vision for the franchise?

  When asked to comment on the press release, Raimi said:

  Decisions like these are always difficult. I know the fans liked Tobey -- and I greatly enjoyed working with him -- but Robert is the future of the franchise.

  The press release did not indicate what the spin-off film might be, but recent speculation has focused on Morbius, a mainstay in the Spider-Man comic book mythology. In the comics, Morbius is a "living vampire," a victim of an ill-fated experimental treatment involving vampire bats and shock therapy.

  There has been no word from Tobey Maguire's representatives.

  Happy April Fool's Day!

  
  
  Next Showing: Spider-Man 4 is currently scheduled for a 2011 release

  Posted 04/01/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Robert Pattinson | Spider-Man | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man 3 | Spider-Man 4

Friday, October 31

• Pulitzer Prize Winner to Pen Spider-Man 4

  Spider-Man 4 is finally coming together. Director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire have signed on and rumors are building that Spidey's gal, Kirsten Dunst, will return as well.

  Looking to rebound from the disappointing Spider-Man 3, Sony has brought in Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Lindsay-Abaire to write the script. The author won the 2007 Pulitzer for his Broadway play Rabbit Hole. He's also working on a Broadway musical adaptation of Shrek and his first feature, Inkheart, opens in January and stars Brendan Fraser.

  Still no official word on plot details or who the villains will be, but we'll bring that news to you as soon as we hear more.

  Source: Empire Movies
  

  
  

  Posted 10/31/2008 by reelz

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 4

Thursday, October 16

• Raimi Gives Spider-Man 4 Update

  Our friends over at MTV Movies recently spoke with the notoriously dodgy Sam Raimi about the many rumors surrounding plans for the upcoming Spider-Man sequels.

  Raimi says that he'd "love to work with [Kirsten Dunst] again" but seems to leave the prospect of replacing the actress very open.
  

  As to the rumors that Spider-Man 4 and 5 will be shot back-to-back, Raimi says it has been "talked about" and will ultimately be up to Sony head honcho Amy Pascal. "Production would likely start by March of 2010," adds Raimi.

  Although Raimi remained cagey on who the villain might be, he did admit that Dylan Baker's beloved Lizard story "will be told" one day, adding that he didn't know whether it would be for the next one or not. Fans might remember Raimi's response to the Venom speculation before Spider-Man 3 was quite similar.

  You can read the full MTV interview with Raimi on MTV's Splashpage.

  
  

  Posted 10/16/2008 by reelz

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 4

Saturday, September 13

• Which Villain Will Spider-Man Face Next?

  Last week Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire both signed on for Spider-Man 4, agreeing to return to a franchise left very much in a state of flux after 2007's bloated Spider-Man 3.

  The comic book movie landscape has changed considerably since the last time Maguire donned the signature red-and-blue tights, thanks to this summer's game-changing blockbusters Iron Man and The Dark Knight. How will the Web-Slinger respond? Will Spider-Man 4 follow the genre's shift toward darker themes, or will it buck the trend and go in a different direction? And which villain -- or villains -- will Spidey face?

  Spider-Man 4 isn't scheduled to begin shooting until next fall, but it's never too early to start speculating. Check out our look at the future of Spider-Man.

  
  

  Posted 09/13/2008 by reelz

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Spider-Man 3 | Spider-Man 4

Friday, September 5

• Raimi and Maguire Returning for Spider-Man 4; Dunst Uncertain

  Deadline Hollywood Daily’s lovably caustic Nikki Finke has emerged with a scoop that should have fanboys doing cartwheels all weekend: director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire will indeed be returning for Spider-Man 4. What’s more, Sony is seriously considering shooting the fourth and fifth Spidey flicks back-to-back because the strategy is “so cost effective.” Shooting will likely begin next fall.

  Interestingly, Finke notes that while Sony is committed to bringing back the Mary Jane Watson character for the upcoming sequels, they’ve yet to sign a deal with troubled star Kirsten Dunst, who portrayed the character in the first three Spider-Man flicks. If producers do indeed decide to replace her, we hear Maggie Gyllenhaal might be available...
  

  
  

  Posted 09/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Sam Raimi | Tobey Maguire | Spider-Man 4

Monday, August 11

• Tropic Thunder Viral Marketing in Full Swing

  Ben Stiller's latest comedy, Tropic Thunder, is being promoted through several farce sites. Most of them are pretty ridiculous profiles of the the actors' imaginary alter-egos.

  Check out the lot of them:

  Tugg Speedman - Stiller's panda-saving, globe re-spinning, Stallone-like action hero.

  Kirk Lazarus - Downey Jr.'s much-celebrated, bizarre, and ultra-Aryan persona.

  Satan's Alley - Kirk and, uh, Tobey Maguire, in a movie about an illicit monk love affair.

  Panda Relocation Foundation - Won't somebody please think of the pandas!?

  Let's not forget the action flick of the summer: Scorcher VI

  Good times.

  
  

  Posted 08/11/2008 by reelz

  Related: Ben Stiller | Tobey Maguire | Sylvester Stallone | Robert Downey Jr. | Tropic Thunder

Monday, July 21

• Spider-Man Joins Crusaders
  

  Tobey Maguire, best known as Spider-Man/Peter Parker, will closet the red and blue tights for a while to take on the role of Jack Greenberg in the real life story of the landmark 1954 Brown V. Board of Education case.
  
  Variety reports that Gary Ross will direct. Ross previously worked with Maguire on Pleasantville and Seabiscuit.
  
  The film is based on Greenberg's memoirs "Crusaders in the Courts" and will be titled The Crusaders.
  
  Source: Variety
  
  
  

  Posted 07/21/2008 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | The Crusaders

Friday, September 7

• Maguire plans live-action Robotech flick

  Look for more giant robots to invade the big screen soon. On the heels of the blockbuster success of Transformers, Warner Bros. has picked up the rights to the popular '80s animated series Robotech, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Tobey Maguire will produce through his creatively titled Maguire Entertainment company. He'll also likely star.

  A Japanese import re-edited with English dialogue, Robotech featured dudes running around inside huge robot-shaped crafts knows as "mechs." As with other anime shows like Speed Racer and Voltron, there was always something vaguely disturbing about Robotech, as if the entire storyline had been crafted during one huge acid trip. Acid, apparently, being the preferred drug of Japanese animators.

  In the '80s, Robotech fans ranked somewhere beneath He-Man and male My Little Pony aficionados in the grade school hierarchy, and were often beaten up for the lunch money by the cooler, tougher G.I. Joe kids.

  
  

  Posted 09/07/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra | Transformers

Sunday, May 6

• Is that all you got, Spidey?
  

  Spider-Man 3 stumbled out of the box office gate this weekend with a meager take of $148 million, barely topping Disturbia, which held strong at $5.7 million for 2nd place. The thriller gave the web crawler a major run for the money and fell just short of a fifth straight week atop the charts.
  
  Sony execs knew trouble was brewing when Spider-Man 3 made only $59 million on its opening day Friday, barely topping the opening day record set last year by Pirates of the Caribbean 2.
  
  Spider-Man 3 joins other box office disappointments of late including Grindhouse, The Condemned and Kickin' It Old Skool.
  
  It's hard to say yet exactly what the final fallout will be from America's shunning of this once proud icon, but we can expect a few pink slips around the Sony offices come Monday. This weekend's take obviously squashes rumors of a fourth film, likely spelling the end of Spidey's days swinging across the big screen.
  
  
  
  Next Showing: Spider-Man 3 is playing nationwide, but not for long
  

  Exclusive Interview

  Check out Mike Richards with the cast of Spider-Man 3.

  Posted 05/06/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | Kirsten Dunst | Spider-Man 3

Monday, April 30

• Black Spidey not all that intimidating

  Sony recently released some new photos of Tobey Maguire wearing the black suit, and if this picture is any indication of what we'll see in Spider-Man 3, fans of the Spider-Man comics might have cause for concern.

  According to comic book lore, the black suit is supposed to bring out Spiderman's violent, vengeful side. This pic doesn't exactly say "violent" or "vengeful" to me. More like "mildly unsettling" or "vaguely irksome" at best.

  They should have given him a beard. It worked for Superman III.

   

  Check out our look into the history of Spidey's black suit.

  
  

  Posted 04/30/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | Spider-Man 3

Friday, April 27

• Spider-Man 3 Review

  The countdown is on! Spider-Man 3 is only a week away. Make sure to purchase your tickets early because this one should be sold out just about everywhere next weekend.

  One of the big perks of this gig is seeing movies early and ReelzChannel.com checked an early screening of Spidey 3 last night. We've got our spoiler-free review right here, so check it out!

   

  
  
  Next Showing: Spider-Man 3 opens May 4th, 2007
  

  Spider-Man 3 trailer

  The web-slinger returns
  

  Spider-Man 3 Premiere

  Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst walk the webbed carpet.
  

  Spider-Man 3 clip

  Crane Disaster

  Posted 04/27/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | Spider-Man 3 | Spider-Man 2 | Spider-Man

Wednesday, April 18

• What's with Spider-Man's swanky new outfit?

  It's hard to believe that we're a little more than two weeks away from the arrival of Spider-Man 3 and the official start of the summer movie season.

  The season looks to start with a bang, too. The titanic buzz surrounding the latest installment of the Spider-Man franchise is unprecedented. Last week, fans were whipped into a frenzy by SP3's most recent trailer (leaked onto the internet), which featured the most footage yet of Spidey's slick black oufit and the new villain Venom.

  What's all the hubbub about? Check out our detailed look into the history and myth surrounding the Spidey's controversial black suit.

  
  
  

  Spider-Man 3 trailer

  Tobey Maguire suits up for this 3rd installment.

  Posted 04/18/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | Topher Grace | Spider-Man 3

Wednesday, April 11

• More Spidey 3!   

  Since fans can't seem to get enough of Spider-Man in hot anticipation of Spider-Man 3's May 4th release, we wanted to point you in the direction of yet another trailer for the movie showed up on movie-list.com today.

  There's more footage of venom and even some backstory on Topher Grace's character and James Franco's transition into a villain. Pretty cool. Check it out here.

  
  
  Next Showing: Spider-Man 3 Opens in Every Theater in the Galaxy on May 4th
  

  Dailies on Spidey-3

  Premiere Magazine gives us the latest scoop on Spidey.
  

  Full Final Trailer for Spidey-3

  Toby Maguire suits up for this 3rd installment.

  Posted 04/11/2007 by reelz

  Related: Tobey Maguire | Topher Grace | Spider-Man 3