Sony Pictures announced that they are re-thinking the "Spiderman" movie franchise, turning back the clock to focus on a high school age Peter Parker and giving star Tobey Maguire the boot in the process. The hot question in Hollywood is who will be the new Webslinger - Zac Efron? Nick Jonas? Miley Cyrus in a must-see, gender-bending turn?
This will be "Spiderman 4" and if it follows the path of previous sequels / prequels, trouble may be looming. The "Superman" series went down the tubes as the sequels mounted and Christopher Reeve was no longer the headliner. The "Batman" series tanked as the sequels/prequels mounted and various actors portrayed the Caped Crusader until the latest installment was saved by Heath Ledger as the Joker though no one remembers who played the Dark Knight.
Sony would be wise to look at history. The only movie franchise to maintain its mojo through six entries is "Rocky". The reason for that is probably not whiny Talia Shire as Adrian or irritating Bert Young as Paulie in all six. No, it's that great thespian Sylvester Stallone in the lead role. Sly is not exactly Laurence Olivier, but he can carry a movie franchise.
Modern CGI can do wonders. Surely, Sony can somehow turn Stallone into a teen on the screen. His steroid-infused frame will fill out that red and blue costume nicely. One longs to hear, "Yo, Mary Jane! I did it!" Can Zac Efron or Nick Jonas match that pathos and heart?
Of course, if it is "Spidey 4 - The Musical", all bets are off. If the plot line is "High school student by day - Rock star and Crime Fighter by night, the starring role has to go to Miley.
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