Sony overhauls 'Spider-Man' sequel; Raimi, Maguire out

Sony overhauls 'Spider-Man' sequel; Raimi, Maguire out

A few days after Sony Pictures said it was postponing production on "Spider-Man 4" because of creative concerns, the studio on Monday said it was sending the entire franchise in for a major overhaul without star Tobey Maguire or director Sam Raimi involved.

Sony said the next Peter Parker film will also be released a year later than originally scheduled, with the fourth installment in its blockbuster franchise (worldwide gross to date: nearly $2.5 billion) now set to premiere in the summer of 2012.

In a back story twist reminiscent of the evolution of "Superman" into "Smallville," the studio said in a statement that the new web-slinger film will focus "on a teenager grappling with both contemporary human problems and amazing super-human crises." The movie is being written by James Vanderbilt, whose credits include "Zodiac" and "The Rundown." The new film, which does not yet have an announced star or director, will be produced by "Spider-Man" veterans Laura Ziskin and Avi Arad of Marvel Studios.

"This is a bittersweet moment for us because while it is hard to imagine Spider-Man in anyone else's hands, I know that this was a day that was inevitable,” Matt Tolmach, president of Columbia Pictures, said in a statement.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi said in a statement. "While we 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."

Added Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment: "We’re very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots."

The last "Spider-Man" movie was released in May 2007. It's not the only setback for the arachnid crime-fighter. A "Spider-Man" Broadway musical (in which Sony is an investor) has been delayed by creative and financial problems, and with a budget in excess of $50 million is the most expensive musical in theater history.

--John Horn

Photo: Melissa Mosely for Columbia Pictures

Simon Cowell to leave 'American Idol,' launch 'X Factor'

Simon Cowell is leaving "American Idol" after the 2010 season of the Fox talent show.

Starting in the fall of 2011, he will appear on a different Fox show, "X Factor," an American version of a hit talent contest he created in the UK.

Cowell worked out the final details of the deal to leave "Idol" and launch "X Factor" today. He signed the contract on stage with Fox executives at the Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena.

“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. versionof 'The X Factor,' and delighted to be continuing to work with Fox,” Cowell said in a statement released by the network. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are allvery excited about this.”

This piece by The Daily Beast outlined how Cowell had felt bitter about not having part ownership of "American Idol," which he developed with his former friend Simon Fuller.

"Factor" is Cowell's baby, and it's certainly going to be interesting to see how "Idol" does without him. Not as well -- that would be my guess. Cowell's biting comments are often what keep the show from becoming boring. When both Cowell's criticism and Paula Abdul's wild-card antics are gone? Can we count on Randy Jackson to keep things interesting? Um.... 

One thing's for sure, new judges Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi will have to really step up -- if they're around next season, that is. Even this season, let's hope they keep things interesting (but not blab so much that episodes go over their allotted time, which was one of last season's problems). 

Now this is an interesting final tidbit. Asked at TCA if Paula Abdul could be a judge on "X Factor," Cowell answered, "I adore Paula. Whatever happens, I will be working with her in some capacity. Because I miss her."

Fox's statement on "X Factor" is below:

“THE X FACTOR” TO LAUNCH ON FOX IN 2011

FOX announced today that THE X FACTOR will launch in the U.S. in the fall of 2011. Simon Cowell, who created and launched THE X FACTOR in the U.K. in 2004, will serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.S. version, which will be produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America.

THE X FACTOR is currently shown in 17 countries worldwide with a global audience of more than 500 million, and is the No. 1 TV entertainment format in Europe. Cowell will continue to serve as both executive producer and judge on the U.K. version. THE X FACTOR format is owned by Syco, a global music, television and film production joint venture between Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.

“I’m thrilled that we have put a date on the launch of the U.S. version of THE X FACTOR, and delighted to be continuing to work with FOX,” said Cowell. “We have a fantastic relationship, a great team and are all very excited about this.”

Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company, said, “We have had a very successful relationship with Simon Cowell for many years, and we’re absolutely delighted to continue our relationship with him. THE X FACTOR has been a massive success around the world, and we can’t wait to bring it to the U.S. in 2011.”

“THE X FACTOR has enjoyed an unparalleled success in its U.K. home market and globally,” said Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. “We are truly excited to bring it to the U.S. and look forward to building another entertainment franchise in the marketplace.”

About Syco/Simon Cowell

Syco, with offices in London and Los Angeles, is a global music, television and film production joint venture between Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment.

Syco Television produces the BAFTA Award-winning “The X Factor,” which has topped the charts in Europe and in the U.K., where Cowell continues to serve as both executive producer and judge. Syco Television is also the owner of the “Got Talent” television format. Versions of both “The X Factor” and “Got Talent” are co-produced by Syco and shown in more than 40 countries.

“The X Factor” 2009 in the U.K. reached audiences of 20 million (60% audience share), and in Denmark, the audience share reached a record high of 80%.

-more-

“THE X FACTOR” LAUNCH â€" Page 2

Cowell also executive produces “America’s Got Talent” and judges and produces “Britain’s Got Talent,” which in 2009 launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over 8 million units in six weeks, making it the world’s biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history.

Syco is also the record label home for such diverse international recording stars as Leona Lewis, Il Divo and Paul Potts. Cowell has worked with artists selling more than 180 million albums and delivering more than 150 No. 1 records.

In 2009, Cowell was named No. 1 in Hollywood Reporter’s Top 50 Most Powerful in Reality TV and one of Entertainment Weekly’s Top Entertainers of the Year.

About FremantleMedia North America

FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) is the U.S. production division of global media giant FremantleMedia. Based in Burbank, California, FMNA produces entertaining and innovative programs for network, cable, syndicated and online platforms, including the Emmy-nominated musical/reality phenomenon AMERICAN IDOL (FOX), “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), “Can You Duet” (CMT), “The Chilli Project” (MTV), “Secret Girlfriend” (Comedy Central), “Let’s Make A Deal” (CBS), “Family Feud” (syndicated), and the longest-running game show in television history, “The Price Is Right” (CBS). In the U.K., “The X Factor” is produced by talkbackThames, a division of FremantleMedia, and Syco Television.

Related:

Photos: Simon Cowell through the years

Poll: Will you still watch "American Idol" after Cowell's departure?

Simon Cowell confirms he's leaving 'Idol'
The caustic judge will depart after this season to focus on his new show, 'The X-Factor.'
Filmmaker Eric Rohmer Dies At 89

Filmmaker Eric Rohmer died today in Paris at the age of 89, according to his production company. Though he was often associated with the French New Wave, Rohmer was older than Francois Truffaut and Jean-Luc Godard. His films seemed to be more influenced by such older French filmmakers as Renoir and Bresson. Yet by focusing each of his "moral tales" (including Claire's Knee, My Night at Maud's and Chloe in the Afternoon) on the interior moral dilemma of his central character, he made his movies more like literature. And that was revolutionary in its own way.