Raimi speaks on THE HOBBIT, SPIDER-MAN 4, EVIL DEAD & more!

UPDATED: Raimi told MTV Movies Blog that they are pushing through with a script for a remake of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and are currently searching for a director. Raimi will only produce. It's been five months since Spider-Man 3 opened in May and for the first time in the cinematic series of Marvel's web-slinging character, the fanboy reaction was mixed. After a couple of superhero mis-steps like Superman Returns and Ghost Rider, we had Spidey 3 down as a banker film... one that couldn't possibly fail but of course it did and I've never seen so many people suddenly turn off from a franchise. I remember when Spider-Man 2 opened and quickly it became talk of Venom or The Lizard as to who would be the villain in Spider-Man 3 and the excitement was pretty much universal, but after the last movie opened, I think a lot of people were happy for the series to take a break. Infact it seems like more people are excited about Sam Raimi directing something else than coming back for Spider-Man 4. Raimi's spoken on a few things today, one of which was the status of Spider-Man 4 to Superhero Hype...

"Right now, Sony is meeting with different writers to try and bring a fresh new story and approach to the 'Spider-Man' franchise," Raimi told us, "so I've been in meetings with Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin, the producers, and Amy Pascal. Different writers have been coming in and spinning different tales of where 'Spider-Man' can go from here."

At this point Raimi is not confirmed for Spider-Man 4 and the way I've always seen it is that Arad will have to give Raimi the full 100% control on the story of the next movie to go in whatever direction he wants otherwise they will have to find a new director. One of the projects Raimi has been linked with is of course The Hobbit and he seems to be the fan choice if Peter Jackson was not to return. Raimi updated us on the situation to Coming Soon...

"There's no better choice to direct 'The Hobbit' than Peter Jackson. I'm a fan of 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and Peter Jackson's a brilliant filmmaker and he would be the guy I think everybody would love see direct it. And I hear talking, too, from what I read in the trades, I don't really know first hand, hopefully he will direct it and give us his great version of it. If he doesn't direct it and decides to produce it, I'd love to be considered as the director."

Finally at this point, it does look more and more that Peter Jackson could be on his way back to middle-earth but I think we should all be cautious when talking about The Hobbit because we've been burned with the project in the past and things can change in a day. Another project which Raimi could potentially direct as his next film is The Shadow, the 1930's pulp charater which Raimi bought the rights to late last year. The last we spoke on the exciting project was way back in December of last year, but sadly Raimi's comments today hint that we are no closer to seeing this film or character on the big screen...

"I don't have any news on 'The Shadow' at this time, except that the company that I have with Josh Donen, my producing partner, we've got the rights to 'The Shadow.' I love the character very much and we're trying to work on a story that'll do justice to the character."

Other projects Raimi touched on whilst speaking to Shock Till You Drop, but there are no direct quotes are... The Evil Dead remake which is said to be happening but is not at this point a priority. A script has been turned in for The Grudge 3.

WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE SAM RAIMI? Well at this point it would seem he is just leaving his options open to see what happens with the talks of both Spider-Man 4 and The Hobbit. I wouldn't expect him to direct a movie pre-strike and it's clear he doesn't want to sign up to anything which could stop him directing any of the above two movies. I think Raimi really, really wants to direct The Hobbit but he doesn't want to walk on Jackson's grave and would only do it with Jackson's blessing. The kid in him probably wants to do Spider-Man 4 but not after the experience he had with Spider-Man 3 and he won't stay around to direct another studio controlled movie where he becomes almost a Brett Ratner. Raimi... at this point in his career is the Top A-List director for studio's looking out for a new director. It's no surprise we saw his name linked with Clash of the Titans remake a while back...when a studio needs a director... he will be the one they go after. Whatever Raimi directs from here, you know he is going to have had many offers to helm other things. Sadly for him, the one film he might desperately want to direct next The Hobbit... might be out of his hands.