Andrew Garfield is Spider-man

Andrew Garfield has spun his way into the new Spider-man franchise. The actor has landed the lead role after months of speculation.

Gossip has been rife who would replace Tobey Maguire in the superhero films ever since he quit the part of Peter Parker earlier this year.

Billy Elliott star Jamie Bell, Josh Hutcherson from Journey to the Center of the Earth, Hollywood newcomer Logan Lerman and even Twilight hunk Robert Pattinson have all been linked to the famed role.

But The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus actor Garfield has now been announced as the new Spider-Man by bosses at film studio Sony Pictures.

Producers are planning to turn back time for a prequel, taking Parker back to high school before he became the web-slinging superhero.

Meanwhile (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb will helm the project after Sam Raimi also walked out earlier this year.

Shooting is scheduled to start in December for a 2012 release.

Alan Cumming Drops Out of Spider-man Musical

Actor Alan Cumming has dropped out of the upcoming Spider-man Broadway musical to take a role on hit the TV show The Good Wife, according to a new report.

The GoldenEye star was set to play the villainous Green Goblin in the Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark production at New York City's Hilton Theatre. But Cumming has pulled out after landing a regular part opposite Julianna Margulies in The Good Wife, according to www.PerezHilton.com.

The superhero stage show, which features a score by U2 stars The Edge and Bono, has been hit with a string of problems - it was due to begin previews in February but the performances were scrapped. Bosses maintain they aim to open the musical in 2010 but a new launch date has not yet been set.

The show suffered another major blow when lead actress Evan Rachel Wood quit last month, citing scheduling difficulties.

Cumming has previously spoken of his frustration over the delays.

James Franco: 'Spider-man Will Survive Without Tobey Maguire'

Spider-man star James Franco is convinced the superhero franchise will survive without leading man Tobey Maguire - he's urging Hollywood bosses to take inspiration from the Batman movies.

Maguire, who has played the webslinger in three big budget blockbusters, threw the fourth installment into jeopardy last week when he announced his decision to quit the franchise, along with director Sam Raimi.

Movie executives now plan to revive Spider-Man with a prequel, featuring a new cast.

Franco, who appeared in all three superhero movies, is convinced the Spider-Man series will continue to thrive - and cites the Batman franchise, which has seen five actors play the Caped Crusader over the years, as an example.

He tells E! Online, "I don't have a problem with that (rebooting the franchise without Maguire). It worked out well for Batman and comics themselves have different artists and writers. I think it's perfectly fine."

But the actor hopes movie bosses don't press on with plans to release the next film in 2012 - because audiences will need a break to accept the new-look movie.

He adds, "I think for the viewers you want a little space so you can get everyone else out of your head."

Robert Pattinson to Replace Tobey Maguire In Spider-man 4?

British actor Robert Pattinson is set to swing into action to replace Tobey Maguire in Spider-man 4, according to a UK report.

The Twilight hunk is reportedly the top choice with Columbia executives to star in the film, after Maguire pulled out last week over a reported script issue.

Daily Variety claimed movie bosses are planning to make a prequel about Spider-Man's alter-ego, Peter Parker, as a teenager instead - and Pattinson is the hot favorite to land the role, reports Britain's Daily Mirror.

A source tells the publication, "The buzz in Hollywood is all about R-Patz as the hot, young thing being lined up to fill Tobey Maguire's shoes. It would be a hard act to follow as fans were traumatised at the news Tobey was going.

"His mild-mannered portrayal as Peter Parker and the transformation to Spider-Man kept millions of fans in the cinemas for the box-office smash. He also had great chemistry with Kirsten Dunst, who plays love interest Mary Jane."

But Pattinson faces tough competition for the coveted role - High School Musical star Zac Efron also has his eye on playing the web-slinger.

He says, "I don't know what the chances are to be honest. I assume they're pretty slim. It's a long-shot but if it came down to it, it'd be a dream come true. What young actor wouldn't?"

More Spider-man Woes as Stage Musical is Stalled

Broadway's Spider-man musical Turn Off The Dark has been rescheduled following a string of production problems.

The producers of the spectacular, which will feature music penned by U2 stars The Edge and Bono, have announced a new start date at the Hilton Theatre.

Previews will no longer begin on February 25th. A revised schedule of preview performances, and an opening date will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Producers insist the production will open this year.

Director Julie Taymor has pledged to stay with the production, as have show stars Evan Rachel Wood, Reeve Carney and Alan Cumming.

The news comes a day after Tobey Maguire and filmmaker Sam Raimi abandoned the third Spider-Man movie sequel.

Spidey Shakeup: Tobey Maguire is Out

Tobey Maguire and filmmaker Sam Raimi have quit Spider-man 4 over a reported script issue.

Just last week, a Columbia studios source revealed the sequel had been put on hold indefinitely due to script problems.

And now Daily Variety reports the film's star and director have departed the project, and Columbia executives are planning to make a prequel about Spider-Man's alter-ego, Peter Parker, as a teenager instead.

James Vanderbilt has already written a script for the alternative, which will be produced by Marvel Comics boss Avi Arad and movie mogul Laura Ziskin.

Raimi, who publicly expressed his dislike for the idea behind Spider-Man 4, says, "While we (Maguire and I) were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job."

A new director and star will be announced in the coming weeks.

Spoiler Alert: Kirsten Dunst Is 'Written Out Of Spider-man Franchise'

Kirsten Dunst will be written out of the Spider-man movie series after the next installment and replaced as the franchise's leading lady by Anne Hathaway - according to U.S. reports.

The actress has played Mary-Jane - Spider-Man/Peter Parker's red-headed love interest - in three movies to date, and has signed to reprise her role in Spider-Man 4, which is scheduled to begin shooting next year.

But insiders tell Star magazine Dunst's character will be written out in the next movie.

A source says, "The plan is for her character to be written out, probably by dying.

"Anne will take over as Peter Parker's new love interest for this project and for Spider-Man 5 and 6 which are being written now.

"Anne's in L.A. doing a lot of meetings on the movie, because filming is right around the corner."

Another Superhero Reeve as Carney Lands Spider-Man Role on Broadway

Little-known actor Reeve Carney has landed Broadway's most-anticipated new role - as Spider-man.

The young star, who also fronts rockers Carney, has beaten thousands of hopefuls to land the role of Peter Parker and his superhero alter-ego in mega-budget musical Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark.

He'll join Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming, who have already signed on for Julie Taymor's ambitious project, which has been scored by U2 stars Bono and The Edge.

Carney's biggest role to date came in 1999 film Snow Falling on Cedars, in which he played Ethan Hawke's character Ishmael as a child.

Director Taymor asked the 26 year old to try out for Spider-Man after impressing her on the set of her new film The Tempest.

The Spider-Man musical will open at the Hilton Theatre in New York next spring. A set date for the run has yet to be announced.

Spidey Spins a 2011 Release Date

Spider-Man will swing back into theaters on May 6, 2011.

Columbia Pictures confirmed that the fourth installment in the comicbook franchise, based on the popular Marvel character, will unspool in both traditional and Imax theaters on the date, making it the first summer tentpole that year.

Sony had been eying the spot on the calendar for months. The May date had previously been occupied by another superhero pic, Marvel Studios' planned launch of "The First Avenger: Captain America," before it moved to July 22, 2011.

Marvel will also launch "Thor" that summer, on June 17.

The fourth installment of Spider-Man reunites helmer Sam Raimi with franchise stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Gary Ross is penning the script.

The previous installments have generated more than $2.5 billion in worldwide box office.

The last two pics were also released in Imax theaters, and by the time the next one bows, Imax and Sony should benefit as there will be more of the large-format theaters in the marketplace.

"Our network has grown significantly, and we continue to roll out new theaters virtually every week, giving more moviegoers the opportunity to experience the movie in Imax," said Imax CEO Richard L. Gelfond.

Alan Cumming is Broadway’s Green Goblin

Alan Cumming has just been cast as lead villain Green Goblin (aka Norman Osborn) in the Broadway production of Spider-Man, opening March 2010.

The 44-year-old British actor joins Evan Rachel Wood as Mary Jane Watson. The role of Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) has not been officially announced yet, although musician Reeve Carney is rumored to have gotten the part.

U2’s Bono and The Edge will be bringing the music and lyrics to the near $40-million production called Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark. Director Julie Taymor, who staged The Lion King, has said that Spider-Man won’t be singing and dancing in tights and the show isn’t a musical, but a “circus rock-’n'-roll drama.”

Alan’s film credits include X2: X-Men United (Nightcrawler), the Spy Kids trilogy (scientist Fegan Floop), 1999’s Titus (directed by Taymor) and the soon-to-be-released The Tempest (also directed by Taymor)

Taymor is thrilled to be working with Alan again. She says, “I obviously love him as this is my third collaboration with Alan - and finally we get to do it on stage. He has such range and such charisma as a performer that I feel confident his Green Goblin will bring many surprises that will move and entertain us.”

U2-Powered Spider-Man Musical Gets Premiere Date

Broadway's Spidey senses are tingling.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the hyped stage musical directed by Julie Taymor (The Lion King) with music and lyrics courtesy of U2's Bono and The Edge, will kick off what its producers hope will be an amazing run along the Great White Way beginning with previews on January 16, 2010, and a February 18, 2010, opening night.

The $40 million effort, reportedly the most expensive Broadway production ever, will make its debut in the Hilton Theatre, the only venue big enough to allow the superhero room to spin his way around the sprawling skyscraper sets while duking it out with various bad guys.

Spider-Man's book is written by Glen Berger, and Taymor and will follow the classic origin story (nerdy Peter Parker gets bitten by radioactive spider and becomes a crimefighter). No word yet on casting or which villains Spider-Man will face off against.

Initially rehearsals for Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, whose name derives from one of its songs, were slated for the spring. But the creative team has now opted instead to workshop the musical in the summer and push back rehearsals until the fall.