CHAPTER 8:
TOO MANY ARCS
Before the second film was even released,a third film was announced. This would make sense as the first film broke the record for highest opening weekend and even if the sequel didn't make as much, it would still be a big hit.
This is much more logical than announcing a sequel to a film that everyone is pre-hating on.
Don't worry, Miles. It's cancelled. The movie can't hurt you anymore.
When Spider-Man 2 was released, the third film was set for May 2007, with Alvin Sargent penning the script. Later on, Ivan Raimi, Sam's brother, would end up working on the script.
But I digress. Sam Raimi wanted to explore the idea of humanity in the villains, and he ended up making Harry the villain, as his story arc was not complete yet and it was left on a cliffhanger at the end of the second film. However, he didn't plan on Harry following in his father's footsteps as the Goblin, just as someone who would try.
However, Raimi wanted to add in another villain. This time, the Sandman. In the comics, the Sandman was a petty criminal. In this movie, they expanded it to a petty criminal... who killed Uncle Ben. Except not the guy from the first movie. It turned out it was a different guy who worked with the guy from the first movie. But THEN, it turns out that the first guy accidentally caused Sandman to shoot Uncle Ben, so it was the guy from the first movie the whole time! SO CONGRATULATIONS! YOU JUST WASTED YOUR TIME!
However, Raimi wanted to add ANOTHER villain... Okay, Raimi, let's talk. The first Spider-Man movie was supposed to have two villains and YOU rejected that because you said it was too much! The second Spider-Man movie was supposed to have FOUR villains, and YOU rejected THAT too! AND NOW YOU WANT TO ADD IN THREE OR FOUR VILLAINS, AND YOU'RE OKAY WITH IT?!?!?!?!?!?
But I digress. The third villain (ugh) that Raimi wanted to add in was The Vulture, who would be played by Ben Kingsley. However, the character was cut to make way for Venom. Sam Raimi didn't want to use Venom for his movies at all as he felt there was no humanity in the character whatsoever (The 2012 film is starting to look pretty good right now, huh?). However, Avi Arad convinced Raimi to put him in the movie. In fact, the movie would be based off the Venom Saga.
However, Eddie Brock was only a minor character, until Arad had to tell him how important he was. He also told them that Venom had a strong fan base and that he had to please them. And they both failed.
The movie also featured Gwen Stacy, who was one of te most important characters in the early Spidey days. In this movie, she's here for a pointless love triangle (or square) because this movie didn't have enough subplots and characters.
Now for casting. Scarlett Johanssen was considered for Gwen Stacy, which means she may not have played Black Widow, which means DrDoom would have been the happiest man alive. For Venom, they got Topher Grace, who left That 70s Show to be in this. And considering how much of a Spidey fan he was in that show, it's kinda distracting in this.
When the movie was released, it followed in the first film's footsteps of breaking the record for opening weekend. As for critics, it got mixed reviews. As for fans...
Well, this is actual footage of the people who saw Spider-Man 3.
Yeah, the fans did not like this movie. They claimed it was overstuffed and they ruined the characters of Venom and Sandman. as for myself, you would think I would hate it too, seeing I kept bashing it here. Actually, I don't think it's that bad.
It's not perfect. It's stupid that Venom is in the last ten minutes. The Sandman retcon is stupid. The omlet scene is cheesy. It's overstuffed. I HATE THE BAR SCENE But there are some good elements. I liked the Sandman (despite the retcon). I liked the acting. Topher Grace was a decent Eddie Brock (though was not Venom). I like the action. I like the characters. I like the comedy. I like it.
Thankfully, Sony listened to the fans and there was never an overstuffed Spidey film ever again.
However, despite the big gross, would Sony let Raimi direct Spider-Man after the lukewarm reaction to #3?
TO BE CONTINUED...