Could this be the end of Spidey? Not too likely, considering that advance ticket sales in the U.S. for “Spider-Man 3” are through the roof, and the worldwide box office already has broken records. Stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst say they won’t return to star if director Sam Raimi jumps ship, so it’s looking like Sony will need to start accepting resumes before they green light “Spider-Man 4.” Here are some suggestions.
SCENARIO NO. 1
Peter/Spider-Man: Shia LaBeouf
Mary-Jane: Emily Blunt
Director: James Cameron
James Cameron was originally going to be the one bringing Spider-Man to the screen, not Raimi. Cameron likes rising young stars, so give him LaBeouf and Blunt, who nearly stole “The Devil Wears Prada” away from Meryl Streep.
SCENARIO NO. 2
Peter/Spider-Man: Justin Long
Mary Jane: Kate Mara
Director: Edgar Wright
“Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” prove that Wright is well on his way to becoming a young Raimi. Wright should consider Long, star of those Mac ads. Kate Mara from “The Shooter” is a natural redhead.
SCENARIO NO. 3
Peter/Spider-Man: Ryan Gosling
Mary Jane: Rachel McAdams
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Director: Martin Scorsese
Spider-Man is a New York hero, so it would only be appropriate to enlist New York filmmaker Scorsese, which would attract stellar talent such as Gosling and McAdams. How about Robert DeNiro as the villain Vulture?
SCENARIO NO. 4
Peter/Spider-Man: James McAvoy
Mary Jane: Isla Fisher
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
The director of action vehicles like “Point Break” and “Near Dark,” Bigelow can play with the big boys. McAvoy has the same gawky demeanor, and Fisher from “Wedding Crashers” would be a ridiculously hot Mary Jane.
SCENARIO NO. 5
Peter/Spider-Man: Max Pirkis
Mary Jane: Hayden Panettierre
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Taking a page from the Harry Potter films, the studio would be smart to hire “Prisoner of Azkaban” director Cuaron and cast actual teenagers in the main roles. Max Pirkis would make a great Peter Parker, and 17-year-old “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere play Mary Jane.