Sam Raimi Drops Jack Ryan in Favour of More Spider-Man
Earlier this year, there were reports that Sam Raimi was going to be taking over Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan movie franchise for Paramount (Jack Ryan being the character featured in such movies as The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger, and The Sum of All Fears). At the time, it seemed unlikely that Raimi would be returning to the Spider-Man franchise, and he was looking for something new to dive into. Raimi was planning to direct one or more Jack Ryan movies, with the first coming in the summer of 2010. Unfortunately now it looks like we’ll never find out what could have been, because Raimi is going back for two more helpings of Spidey action instead!
MTV Movies Blog recently spoke with Raimi about his decision to direct Spider-Man 4 and 5, possibly back to back. He seems very excited about it, and his only regret is that it will probably mean he has to step away from the Jack Ryan franchise after all.
“I love Tom Clancy, and I hope they’d keep me in mind, but because I’m committed to Spider-Man and making that picture, I think it’s going to knock me out of the running for the Jack Ryan picture.”
I guess Spider-Man is the safer money, but I am surprised Raimi wants to return after all the criticism he received for part 3. Perhaps he feels that he needs to redeem himself. Personally, I am a little disappointed, not because I thought Spider-Man 3 sucked, but rather because I think the Spider-Man series could use a rest for a few years. This is yet another example of a comic book movie franchise holding back a great director from moving on to try other interesting projects. What do you think… did Raimi make the right choice?
Comments (8)
I agree on the waiting. I think X-men 3 suffered from them trying to rush through and finish the whole X-men thing and that was a mistake. I actually like seeing good directors (some of which are comic fans) put their touch on these movies. I think we could do with one every 5-7 years instead at a certain point so they’d have time to make other good stuff. But Nolan was able to make The Prestige between the batman movies in a pretty short time and that’s a real accomplishment. I guess it depends on how busy the director can handle being and for how long.
Posted by Ian on October 23rd, 2008I trust that Sam Raimi made the right choice for himself personally; so I can’t speculate on that.
I’m not very interested in Spider-Man 4, or pretty much any movie franchise that is followed by the number 4, so I guess I’m a little dismayed by this news. I’d rather see Raimi work on something different.
Posted by Joel on October 23rd, 2008Also, in that picture, Sam Raimi looks like the weird love-child of Harry Potter and Droopy Dog.
Posted by Joel on October 23rd, 2008Yeah, I thought that was Harry Potter.
Posted by krew on October 23rd, 2008I also wish they could just hold their horses but…
“I trust that Sam Raimi made the right choice for himself personally; so I can’t speculate on that.”
Well said and SO true. The dude could probably do whatever he wants…so if he chose Spider-man again he probably has more great ideas for it. Hopefully he’ll get attached to the Avengers movie!
“I’d rather see Raimi work on something different.”
I think we all would. Looking forward to Drag Me To Hell. Now that he can finally get the budgets he deserves I wish he’d move on and make an original horror/fantasy/sci-fi epic.
@Joel & krew: That’s what Harry looks like in the epilogue of Deathly Hallows.
Posted by Ryan M. on October 23rd, 2008You know, Sam Raimi looks like a grown-up and homeless drunk version of HARRY POTTER in that photo.
Posted by Kurt on October 24th, 2008Doh, I should read the comments before typing, apparently I’m not the only one who got that vibe immediately.
/feels dumb.
Posted by Kurt on October 24th, 2008It’s okay, Kurt!
I think it’s great he’s doing another one. I liked (#1), loved (#2) an liked (#3) his Spidey’s, so I hope this will be another “love”!
Posted by Bas on October 28th, 2008Leave a Reply