First the official information
Marc Webb, the director of the Golden Globe-nominated Best Picture "(500) Days of Summer," will direct the next Spider-Man movie that is due out summer 2012. Filming will start in mid 2010
Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said, "At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world. The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify filmmakers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker's life. We wanted someone who could capture the awe of being in Peter's shoes so the audience could experience his sense of discovery while giving real heart to the emotion, anxiety and recklessness of that age and coupling all of that with the adrenaline of Spider-Man's adventure. We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey."
Arad and Ziskin added jointly, "Over the years, the Spider-Man comics have been told with bold and creative new writers and artists who have re-calibrated the way audiences see Peter Parker. Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary storytellers have done with the comic books. He is an incredibly talented filmmaker and we look forward to working closely with him on this new adventure."
Webb said, "This is a dream come true and I couldn't be more aware of the challenge, responsibility or opportunity. Sam Raimi's virtuoso rendering of Spider-Man is a humbling precedent to follow and build upon. The first three films are beloved for good reason. But I think the Spider-Man mythology transcends not only generations but directors as well. I am signing on not to 'take over' from Sam. That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant. 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."
The Non-official information - (read my opinion)
So you get everyone at Sony, Columbia Pictures and Marvel saying this is a great choice, this guy, what's his name again? Marc Webb. This is a fresh direction...Spider-Man is open to new interpretations. Can I say, that this scares me to death? We aren't talking about a no name Marvel character here. This isn't Blade's brother-in-law or Black Cat's hair stylist, we are taking about freakin' Spider-Man. You're going to hand the Marvel empire over to someone who has directed 1 movie? ONE! Every corporate executive says it's a wonderful choice and everyone who loves Spider-man thinks it's too risky.
Mr. Webb has directed some music videos so I guess we can expect a good soundtrack while Spidey swings through New York. When DC chose Bryan Singer for Superman Returns at least you knew who he was, Or when Marvel chose Jon Favreau for Iron Man you were confident in his ability. With Marc Webb we don't know, he might turn out to be a great director it's just crazy for Marvel to risk so much on a virtually unknown director.