Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 21:10, 27 November 2006

Template:Future film

Spider-Man 3 is a 2007 superhero film that is the third film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man. Sam Raimi, who directed the previous two Spider-Man films, takes up the helm again with a returning cast that includes Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, and J. K. Simmons. The film also stars franchise newcomers Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard and Thomas Haden Church. Spider-Man 3 is scheduled to be released in both conventional and IMAX theaters on May 4, 2007.

Plot

Template:Spoiler Peter Parker basks in the spotlight with his public success as his superhero alter ego, Spider-Man. Mary Jane Watson and Gwen Stacy pursue Parker for his affections, and Parker begins to grow overconfident, neglecting those who care for him. When the police tell Parker and his aunt that new evidence shows Sandman as being responsible for killing Uncle Ben, Parker goes after the alleged perpetrator personally. As Spider-Man, he battles Sandman and his former friend Harry Osborn. During this time, astronaut John Jameson brings back an "alien life force" to Earth with him. The force forms a symbiotic relationship with Peter's costume, influencing his behavior for the worse. As a result, Spider-Man has to fight the villain within, until he finally tears the symbiote from his body. After parting from Spider-Man, the symbiote finds a new host in Eddie Brock, Junior, and the resulting merger creates Venom. Template:Endspoiler

Spider-Man 3 Cast

Cameos

• Stan Lee has a cameo in Spider-Man 3, as he did in the previous Spider-Man films. Unlike his previous Spider-Man cameos, he has dialogue with Peter Parker in his cameo for this film. Lee has referred to it as his "best cameo" in an interview.

• Bruce Campbell, who has had cameo roles as a wrestling ring announcer in Spider-Man and as a rude usher in Spider-Man 2, returns in Spider-Man 3 with a new cameo.

Spider-Man's villains

Harry Osborn

Following the events of Spider-Man, Harry Osborn blames Spider-Man for the death of his father Norman Osborn. In Spider-Man 2, Harry negotiates with Doctor Octopus to have Spider-Man delivered to him. Upon discovering that his best friend Peter Parker was under Spider-Man's disguise at the end of Spider-Man 2, Osborn recoils in shock and eventually stumbles across his father's hidden lair, in which all his father's Green Goblin gear was kept. Though Harry takes up his father's mantle as the Green Goblin in most comic book adaptations, director Sam Raimi stated at Comic-Con 2006 that Harry Osborn would not be the Green Goblin or the Hobgoblin (as he became in the Ultimate Marvel comics continuity), but instead "somewhere between" the two. Raimi also said that Harry's storyline would conclude with Spider-Man 3. However, before filming Raimi has said before he was unsure of whether or not Harry would truly follow his father's legacy, and the persona may even be called "Night Surfer".

Venom

Originally, director Sam Raimi had opposed the inclusion of the villain Venom in Spider-Man 3 due to his "lack of humanity". Marvel producer Avi Arad convinced Raimi to reconsider, informing the director that Venom had a strong fan base. As Raimi included Venom in Spider-Man 3, the director began to appreciate the character that Venom had become, based on Alvin Sargent's script treatment and Topher Grace's performance. At Comic-Con 2006, Venom was described to be based on "an amalgamation of Venom stories". Eddie Brock, Jr., Venom's human host, serves as a mirror to Peter Parker in having similar employment and romantic interests. Grace's character was revealed to differ from Parker in having a "terrible childhood".

Topher Grace was first announced in May 2005 to join the cast of Spider-Man 3, though his character was not revealed until later. While the appearance of Topher Grace as Venom in Spider-Man 3 was officially confirmed at Comic-Con 2006, Kirsten Dunst had originally revealed the news at a September 2005 press conference for Elizabethtown. Prior to Dunst's statement, production photos had shown Topher Grace carrying a camera during shooting scenes.

Venom was first showcased at Comic-Con 2006 in San Diego when the studio showed incomplete footage of the film to Spider-Man fans. On November 23, 2006, Sony showed a brief glimpse of Venom as part of a collection of Spider-Man 3 sneak peek clips, which aired during FOX's television premiere broadcast of Spider-Man 2.

Sandman

Tobey Maguire had first expressed interest in battling Sandman (alias Flint Marko) in 2004. Thomas Haden Church was first revealed to be playing the character by Kirsten Dunst in a September 2005 press conference for Elizabethtown. Church's role as Sandman was later confirmed, first by pictures released by Sony and again by the teaser trailer released for the film. Church revealed in an August 2006 interview that the studio approached him for the role of Sandman after Church's award-winning performance in Sideways. Church also said that the film's Sandman was a villain with more depth than the character from the comics, and that Sandman's issues brought him into conflict with Spider-Man.

To portray Sandman, Church worked out for 16 months to improve his physique for the role. For scenes involving visual effects, Church was super-imposed onto the screen, where computer-generated imagery was then applied. In a fight where Spider-Man punches through Sandman's chest, congenital amputee boxer Baxter Humby took Tobey Maguire's place in filming the scene. Humby, who was born without his right hand, helped deliver the intended effect of punching through Sandman's chest.

Production

Budget

Reportedly, the film's budget is $250 million, which would make it the most expensive film ever made in nominal U.S. dollars, breaking King Kong's budget record of $207 million. It would also be third, in adjusted dollars, to War and Peace's budget of $560 million.

Filming

Columbia Pictures officially announced that the main filming for Spider-Man 3 started on January 2, 2006. Principal photography wrapped up in August 2006 after over a hundred days of filming. Principal photography had begun on January 16, 2006, on Stage 30 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA. The team filmed in Los Angeles until May 19, 2006. In spring 2006, film location manager Peter Martorano brought camera crews to Cleveland to film for Spider-Man 3. Afterward, the team moved to Manhattan, where filming commenced until July 1, 2006. Kirsten Dunst confirmed on October 2, 2006 that principal photography was completed, though there would be additional special effects shots in November for which she would return.

Visual effects

Visual effects supervisor John Dykstra, who won the Academy Award for Visual Effects for his work on Spider-Man 2, declined to work on the third film. Scott Stokdyk, who had worked with Dykstra on the previous Spider-Man films, took over as visual effects supervisor. Camera crews spent ten days between November 5, 2005, and November 18, 2005, to film sequences that would involve intense visual effects so Sony Pictures Imageworks could begin work on the shots early in the project. The same steps had been taken for Spider-Man 2 to begin producing visual effects early for sequences involving the villain Doctor Octopus.

Scott Stokdyk, Spider-Man 3's visual effects supervisor, created a miniature of a skyscraper section at 1/16 scale with New Deal Studios' Ian Hunter and David Sanger. According to producer Grant Curtis, Stokdyk chose to design the miniature instead of using computer-generated imagery so damage done to the building could be portrayed realistically and timely without guesswork involving computer models.

For the film's visual effects, Sony Pictures Imageworks had designed specific computer programs that did not exist when Spider-Man 3 began production. The company used the groundbreaking visual effects programs to create the performances and shots needed to complete the film.

Film score

Composer Danny Elfman did not return for the third installment of Spider-Man because of difficulties with director Sam Raimi. Elfman said that he had a "miserable experience" working with Raimi on Spider-Man 2 and could not comfortably adapt his music. Instead of reprising his role as composer for Spider-Man 3, Elfman took on the project of composing for Charlotte's Web. Christopher Young scores Spider-Man 3 in Elfman's vacancy.

Promotion

Footage

The first teaser trailer for Spider-Man 3 was released on the Internet on June 27, 2006 and also accompanied the theatrical release of Superman Returns. At Comic-Con 2006 in San Diego, the studio showed an incomplete piece of the film that contained temp sound and temp visual effect shots. The first full-length Spider-Man 3 trailer premiered on November 9 on various channels and websites, with an exclusive high-definition version on iFilm, which became available after the premiere. The trailer was also attached to Casino Royale when the James Bond film premiered on November 17, 2006. A second Spider-Man 3 trailer will also be attached to Ghost Rider on February 16, 2007.

At one point, the first teaser trailer shows Spider-Man waking up, hanging upside down in his now symbiote-coated suit and looking at his non-symbiote suit reflection in a skyscraper window. Apart from the different reflection in the window, this image is reminiscent of an almost identical scene from "The Alien Costume: Part 1", an episode of Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Also shown in that episode is the suit attaching itself to Peter while he is sleeping; the trailer shows the symbiote doing the same, but coating his suit instead of his skin.

Posters

It was announced that new Spider-Man 3 posters would be advertised to the public for the release of Casino Royale. On November 21, 2006, Sony released the two additional posters for Spider-Man 3.

Merchandise

Video game

A video game based on Spider-Man 3 will be released in May 2007 to coincide with the film's release. The video game will be available on the Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3.

"Making of" book

On October 21, 2006, producer Grant Curtis announced on the official movie blog that he was working on a book that would detail the account of bringing Spider-Man 3 to the screen. The book, published by Chronicle Books in time for the release of Spider-Man 3, will contain "chapters on the script, casting, production design, costume design and visual effects and will include a day-by-day journal wrote while filming".

Toys

At the American International Toy Fair in October 2006, Techno Source unveiled its line-up of interactive Spider-Man 3 toys, including a "hand-held Battle Tronics device that straps to the inside of a player’s wrist and mimics Spidey’s web-slinging motions", which would come out in spring in time for the film's release.

Sequel

In an August 2006 interview with MTV, Marvel producer Kevin Feige anticipated more sequels to the Spider-Man films "because of the wealth of stories in the comics." However, Feige stated that Tobey Maguire may not return to portray Spider-Man in the future. In addition, Maguire expressed the sentiment that the film franchise could not continue as strongly in the future. "I'm not sure if there are more stories for this character that are interesting enough to be excited about doing more," said Maguire. Kirsten Dunst said she would only be interested in being back for another sequel if director Sam Raimi returned to the helm. J. K. Simmons said, about future sequels, that Raimi was "certainly open to doing more".

References

1. "Spider-Man 3 information". The-Numbers.com. Retrieved 2006-06-27.
2. "Spider-Man 3 To Swing Into IMAX Theaters!". SuperHeroHype.com. 2006-07-25. Retrieved 2006-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. "Columbia Pictures' Spider-man(R) 3 to be Simultaneously Released to IMAX(R) Theatres in May 2007". Yahoo! Finance. 2006-07-22. Retrieved 2006-08-18. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. Sam Raimi (2006). Spider-Man 3 (Trailer). iFilm.
5. Elliott, Sean (2006-06-01). "Exclusive Interview: Avi Arad reveals that Spider-man 3 has a fourth villain". iFMagazine.com. Retrieved 2006-08-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
6. ^ "Ultimate Superhero Preview". Empire. 2006-09-29. pp. 78, 80, 81, 230. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help)
7. ^ Bowles, Scott (2006-07-24). "A final spin for 'Spider-Man'?". USA Today. Retrieved 2006-08-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. "Spider-Man 3 wallpaper". Sony Pictures. Retrieved 2006-07-24.
9. "Caine Confirms Joker and Stan Lee's Spidey 3 Cameo". SuperHeroHype.com. 2006-07-08. Retrieved 2006-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
10. Elliott, Sean (2006-07-26). "Exclusive Interview: Stan Lee Gets Superheroic Once Again For The Sci Fi Channel". iFMagazine.com. Retrieved 2006-09-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
11. "Bruce Campbell". Spider-Man 3 Movie Blog. 2006-07-21. Retrieved 2006-11-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
12. Carroll, Larry (2006-07-26). "'Spider-Man 3' Cast Confirms Love Triangle, Death, Soul-Sucking Costume". MTV. Retrieved 2006-08-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
13. ^ George, Richard (2006-07-23). "Comic-Con 2006: Spider-Man 3". IGN. Retrieved 2006-08-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
14. Topel, Fred (2006-07-25). "Comic Con: Sam Raimi Talks Spider-Man 3". Cinema Blend. Retrieved 2006-08-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
15. "Topher Grace Joins Spider-Man 3!". SuperHeroHype.com. 2005-05-19. Retrieved 2006-08-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. ^ Nyugen, Hanh (2005-09-26). "Dunst Confirms 'Spidey 3' Villain Identities". Zap2it.com. Retrieved 2006-08-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
17. Stax (2006-07-23). "Comic-Con 2006: Venom Revealed!". IGN. Retrieved 2006-09-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
18. "New Spidey 3 Clips & Empire Magazine Cover!". SuperHeroHype.com. 2006-11-23. Retrieved 2006-11-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
19. Hewitt, Chris (August 2004). "Spidey's back". Empire. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
20. ^ Douglas, Edward (2006-08-01). "Exclusive: Enter Sandman!". SuperHeroHype.com. Retrieved 2006-08-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
21. Huver, Scott. "Weaving the Web of 'Spider-Man 3', Part Two: Thomas Hayden Church, Topher Grace and Bryce Dallas Howard". Hollywood.com. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
22. "An Exclusive interview with Spider-Man!". Bad Taste. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2006-08-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
23. "Movie Budget Records". The-Numbers.com. Retrieved 2006-07-27.
24. Tatu, Hannibal (2006-06-30). "X-men 3, Hulk 2, Spider-Man 3, Superman: The Comic Reel Wrap for June 30". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2006-08-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
25. Jack, Carolyn (2006-10-20). "Spider-Man's location manager knows a great city when he sees it". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 2006-10-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
26. ^ Curtis, Grant (2006-07-28). "Grant Curtis - Welcome back". Spider-Man 3 Movie Blog. Retrieved 2006-08-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
27. ^ Gilchrist, Todd (2006-10-02). "Dunst Discusses Spidey's Future". IGN. Retrieved 2006-10-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
28. Crabtree, Sheigh (2005-03-14). "'Spider' man Dykstra will roll 'Wheels'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2006-09-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
29. ^ Curtis, Grant (2006-10-21). "Grant's Trivia Questions Answered!". Spider-Man 3 Movie Blog. Retrieved 2006-10-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
30. Morris, Clint (2005-09-13). "Elfman speaks on Spider-Man split". Moviehole.net. Retrieved 2006-08-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
31. Sanchez, Robert (2005-07-10). "New Superman Returns". IESB.net. Retrieved 2006-10-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
32. "Tune Spinner". Empire. 2005-11-18. Retrieved 2006-07-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
33. Curtis, Grant (2006-08-24). "Trivia quiz". Spider-Man 3 Movie Blog. Retrieved 2006-09-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
34. Sony Pictures Entertainment (2006-11-08). "Official Spider-Man 3 Trailer Announcement". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 2006-11-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
35. ^ "Spidey Webs James Bond and Ghost Rider". SuperHeroHype.com. 2006-10-24. Retrieved 2006-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
36. "Two New Spider-Man 3 Posters!". ComingSoon.net. 2006-11-21. Retrieved 2006-11-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
37. Cliff Annicelli (2006-10-26). "Show biz: Fall Toy Show". Playthings.com. Retrieved 2006-10-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
38. Carroll, Larry (2006-08-18). "After Spidey, Marvel To Focus On Hulk's Relaunch, Captain America's Big-Screen Debut". MTV. Retrieved 2006-08-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
39. "Sam Raimi for Spider-Man 4?". Empire. 2006-07-17. Retrieved 2006-10-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

• Official website
• Official trailer at iFilm
• Spider-Man 3 teaser trailer(Direct HD 1080p version) at Apple.com trailers (requires Quick Time Player)
• Spider-Man 3 Official Movie Blog
• Spider-Man 3 on Marvel.com
• Template:Shh
• Spider-Man 3 at Rotten Tomatoes
• Spider-Man 3 at Movie Tab
• Spider-Man 3 at CanMag
• Spider-Man 3 at IMDb

• 2007 films
• American films
• English-language films
• Films directed by Sam Raimi
• Sequel films
• Spider-Man films