Tobey Maguire & Sam Raimi Quit 'Spider-Man 4'

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.