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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.

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