|
That inflection is closer to the Spider-Man of the comics. Garfield's version of the hero is more sarcastic, lithe and twitchy -- more of a rebellious teen.
The 28-year-old British actor from "The Social Network," who's fresh off an acclaimed performance in "Death of a Salesman" on Broadway, wanted to honor the previous incarnations of Spider-Man. A fan of the comics since childhood, he says taking on the role was less a decision to consider than a matter of listening to "my inner 3-year-old screaming at me."
"With Spider-Man, the legacy is so huge and there's so much to pay homage to and respect to, that you have to be as aware of it as much as possible," says Garfield.
After moving through some of the iconic elements of the Spider-Man story, the film brings in a new villain from the comics: the Lizard, as transformed from the scientist Dr. Curt Connors (Rhys Ifans). The film reminds one that Spider-Man remains a young man's superhero: It works best as a coming of age story. Had "Spider-Man 4" gone ahead (Maguire is now 36), producers said it would have been the last of the series.
"A big part of the DNA of Peter Parker is that adolescent quality," says Webb, whose "(500) Days of Summer" was also a story of transition into adulthood. "It's a time in your life where you're imperfect and you're unpolished and you make mistakes and you're discovering things and every emotion is apocalyptic."
Certainly, unending serial storytelling is part of the spirit of comics, which typically flow in constant weekly or monthly installments.
"I want to live in a world where Spider-Man stories are being told over and over again," says producer Matt Tolmach. "Sometimes, people leave things sitting on a shelf for too long."
It's also an enormously lucrative franchise, with robust merchandizing and popular accompanying video games. "The Amazing Spider-Man" keeps that machine churning. Early reviews have generally been positive and global box office expectations are running high.
A sequel is already in the works, with production expected to begin early next year. The huge success of "The Avengers" has stoked speculation that Spider-Man could be roped into the next episode, of which Arad says, "Anything is possible."
Either way, the future possibilities for more Spider-Man are again limitless. Says Arad: "This can be so many movies."
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor