Spidey's origin story

[project13]

We are pretty much aware of the origin, the question is how should it be presented in the reboot?

ORIGIN

Peter Parker attends a science exhibition where he is bitten by a "super- spider". Peter later discovers the spider bite has given him an array of spider-like powers (http://forums.superherohype.com/#Powers.2C_abilities.2C_equipment.2C_and_costumes) , including wall-crawling, superhuman strength, speed and agility, and an extrasensory (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Extrasensory_perception) "spider-sense".
Peter initially sets out to find fame and fortune, winning a match while wearing a makeshift disguise against professional wrestler (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Professional_wrestling) Crusher Hogan. He attempts to interest a television network in the idea of featuring him as a costumed hero (with the advantage that he can actually do the things his character can), and creates the Spider-Man name, costume, and web-shooters. After quickly becoming a minor celebrity, Peter appears on a television special, but afterward allows a thief to escape the TV station, asserting that it isn't his problem. He comes to regret his inaction when he finds out that the same burglar (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Burglar_(comics)) subsequently killed his Uncle Ben.
Realizing that he could have prevented his uncle's death, the guilt-ridden Peter commits to a life of crimefighting (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Crime) and lifesaving, driven by the words, "With great power there must also come great responsibility".

[Eggyman]

A small flashback at the beginning will do, I think.

[Mr. Wooden Alligator]

The movie could open with Spider-Man chasing a criminal. As he is, he comes upon a victim facedown in a puddle of blood. Its an older man, which triggers memories of Uncle Ben being shot down. This could be shown in flashbacks as Spider-Man swings after the shooter, finally ending as he catches up to and pounces upon the gunman.

[Ajendo]

The thing is, they could just ignore the origin altogether, have cetain changes *cough* mechs *cough* and just go with it.

[TheSlag]

The movie could open with Spider-Man chasing a criminal. As he is, he comes upon a victim facedown in a puddle of blood. Its an older man, which triggers memories of Uncle Ben being shot down. This could be shown in flashbacks as Spider-Man swings after the shooter, finally ending as he catches up to and pounces upon the gunman.

Interesting approach, having the flashbacks at various times throughout the movie.

[spider-neil]

they should do it like the opening credits of the watchmen which was unbelieveably good (rubbish movie though).

[Artistsean]

In my opinion the origin was done perfectly in Raimi's Spider-Man 1.
It would be boring to try and go back in and retell it unless its so drasticaly different that its fresh and interesting. But then it might be too different.
So, they could start it off like Spectacular Spider-Man where Peter already has the powers and the costume, but is still in High school. (like maybe he got his powers a year ago.)
The only problem might be is the slight changes the new movie would need to show to establish its different,
Like the Incredible Hulk movie did,
They could show in brief flashbacks in the opening (and perhaps hints here and there during the movie) Peter's being bitten and becoming Spider-Man.
Like Peter living with Aunt May and Uncle Ben, being a lonely boy in high school, getting bitten, testing his powers, Uncle Ben's death, becoming Spider-Man.

retelling all that would be a waste I think, I don't want to sit through Uncle Ben's death again.

Watchmen is another great example of the opening credits showing the stuff that came before the movie.

[Avengers-Report]

Flashbacks would probably be best.

[A&W]

they could make it different while being equally true to the comic book. for example uncle ben doesn't have to get shot five minutes after the robbery for example. they could incorporate Captain Stacy as part of the city hating Spider-Man. They could have his love interest die at the hands of the Green Goblin. Web shooters can help as well. He can discover his powers differently. We can see post spider bite Peter getting picked on and bullied while afraid to use his powers for fear of exposing his identity.

[spider-neil]

the batman begins origin is good as well with adult bruce having flashbacks to when he was a kid so in the case of spidey it would be a seasoned spider-man with flashbacks as to how he got his powers.

[ModestMr.Green]

Like this.

iSDU2tu7rpk

Or this.

573XmVOdD2Q

[Artistsean]

I just mean instead of making a 2 hour movie just to retell the basic origin, Peter gets spider bite, powers, uncle Ben dies, peter becomes Spider-Man.

The flashback opening could show the changes such as including Captain Stacey, the web shooters, Peter being on a late night talk show, Peter being bullied at school, stuff like that. That way 2 hours wont have to be lost retelling what everyone already knows, minus the new changes like the mechanical web shooters or MJ not being the love of his life.

[project13]

I believe the Batman Begins approach is the way to go:

Start with Spidey swinging aroung NYC and fighting bad guys, then flashbacks to Pete getting bitten, testing his powers, Uncle Ben's death and Peter becoming Spider-Man.

[LegendaryCaleb]

Batman Begins = the best way to take this!

[Eggyman]

they should do it like the opening credits of the watchmen which was unbelieveably good (rubbish movie though).

Ahem. Wash your mouth out, sunshine. Anyway, you should love that sh** - there's a love triangle and someone cries.

[spider-neil]

Ahem. Wash your mouth out, sunshine. Anyway, you should love that sh** - there's a love triangle and someone cries.

you liked it, I didn't, let's leave it at that.

[Eggyman]

you liked it, I didn't, let's leave it at that.

:eek:

Calm yourself and get your arse off the defensive bus. I was having a joke with you.

[spider-neil]

:eek:

Calm yourself and get your arse off the defensive bus. I was having a joke with you.

so was I :cwink:

[Chris Wallace]

We don't need to see him get bitten again.

[storyteller]

Batman Begins was fine because it was the first time we saw the stuff from when his parents dies to when he decided to become batman. We finally got to see the training. We got to see the poor state of gotham. Begins was needed because it was a story that hadn't been told.

Spiderman origin though has been told. We don't need a 30 minute retelling of the origin or even a 3-5 minute retelling. I think the audience can understand that this is a new series with them having new actors and being back in highschool.

Spiderman origin is now like Supermans. It was done perfectly the first time around, it doesn't need to be redone.

[Chris Wallace]

Batman Begins was fine because it was the first time we saw the stuff from when his parents dies to when he decided to become batman. We finally got to see the training. We got to see the poor state of gotham. Begins was needed because it was a story that hadn't been told.

Spiderman origin though has been told. We don't need a 30 minute retelling of the origin or even a 3-5 minute retelling. I think the audience can understand that this is a new series with them having new actors and being back in highschool.

Spiderman origin is now like Supermans. It was done perfectly the first time around, it doesn't need to be redone.

I agree with everything except the 3-to-5 minute retelling. Reason being this is a reboot, and moviegoers are gonna be confused. I think a flashback somewhere around the middle-just enough to say "This isn't the Raimi/Maguire version" is appropriate and perhaps even necessary. But to redo the entire origin would just be foolish.

[Pac-Master]

I think having the origin in the opening credits are the way to go. It doesn't take too much time and shows the GA that this is a separate film from the past three.

[Chris Wallace]

Reason why I said "middle of the film" rather than opening credits is to not copy TIH; and it actually didn't work when they did it in TIH. Many people STILL think it's a sequel.

[Eggyman]

I agree with everything except the 3-to-5 minute retelling. Reason being this is a reboot, and moviegoers are gonna be confused. I think a flashback somewhere around the middle-just enough to say "This isn't the Raimi/Maguire version" is appropriate and perhaps even necessary. But to redo the entire origin would just be foolish.

Maybe they can just say that right after "Directed By..."

[Chris Wallace]

The average moviegoer doesn't pay attention to things like that, or again, people wouldn't have gone into "Batman Begins" thinking it was a prequel, or come out of TIH wondering about the 3rd film.

[Eggyman]

Yeh, and in some other dimension where a dumbed down version of myself was being serious your post would be bang on the money. :o

[Mrpaul]

I had voted for no origin, I think most of us have seen that already. But if they carry on with flashback it could work. Simply go with the life of Peter and who ever they choose to be his Girlfriend(hopefully Gwen) and show Spidey's handle on crime(who ever they choose to be the villian)

[Gotham22]

Just a origin film like Spider-Man 2002.

[Chris Wallace]

Then what would be the point of rebooting? You don't remake an 8-year-old movie.

[©KAW]

Either a flashbacks in the opening credits or no origin story at all.

[project13]

How about this:

Throughout the movie, there would be various flashbacks of his origin story.

* When Peter visits Dr. Curt Conners at ESU, there would be a flashback of his field trip there in which Pete gets the spider-bite.

*When Spidey fights the villain for the first time, there's a flashback consisting of Spider-Man fighting Crusher Hogan and contemplating on using his newfound powers to start a carrer as a stunt performer.

* When Peter and Aunt May visit Uncle Ben's grave, there's a flashback of Peter finds Uncle Ben dead.Seeking vengeance his finds the burglar, realizing Uncle Ben would still be alive if he caught him in the first place. He would then realize that "power comes responsibility".


To make a long story short, the origin would be told in various flashbacks throughout the story.

[Reikowolf]

Given the example of Mark Webb's work and the way he plays on the fourth wall, I am hoping for something like this:

Sony Logo is drawn like a sketch,
Marvel logo comes in with the flipping of the panels, then we pan out to show it in a comic book frame

an orchestrated music begins as the camera pans to the right, revealing the cover of amazing fantasy #15.

Stan Lee's voice is heard narrating over the panel.

"Like Costume heroes? Confidently, we in the comic mag business refer to them as "long underwear characters!!" and as you know, they're a dime a dozen! but, we think you may find OUR Spider-Man Just a bit different"

At this point the opening credits begin with the new theme, Each credit shows a different panel from Amazing Fantasy #15 featuring the key moments. Ending with the beautiful shot of Spider-Man accepting his responsibility

as we end with: Directed by Marc Webb

The last comic panel transitions into a real shot of Spider-Man in full costume.

Peter's past and how he got his powers would also be revealed through out various movies conversations, brief flashbacks.

At the risk of sounding corny, I would even like it if Stan Lee Narrated the flash backs, almost the way marvel does the billet points when an issue references a previous arc.

[deepex]

I would prefer a flashback version of the origin. I would prefer for the film to focus on Peter Parker as a teenager struggling to cope with mixing superhero life with his normal everyday school/women/Aunt May problems. Maybe the film could focus on his first battle against a Super powered opponent rather than the normal thugs he had faced and how he battles to cope with that.

I felt the origin story was told perfectly in 2002 and it is too soon for a retelling. The way Batman Begins worked was because the origin had never been done on film.

[Ajendo]

No flashbacks.
Flashbacks should only be shown as part of the opening credits. Flashbacks being littered through out the movie is lazy and distracting from moving the story foward.

[Rodrigo90]

The movie should focus more on Peter's battle with guilt,rather than lifes problems as with the other movies. Struggling with dates and such is minor plot development,as with the other movies and theres no relevance for that to us.

Character development is something they didnt really do a good job with in the predecessors.

As I said,I would like to see a movie where Spidey isnt exactly the friendly neighborhood, witty and sarcastic guy. More on the lines of him being hate filled and vengeful towards criminals,and learns the lesson of responsibility as the movie progresses.

[project13]

Here's another idea on how the origin should be presented:

QUESTION: How much origin story should Green Lantern fans expect to see?

LAUREN MONTGOMERY: As we had already done the origin story a few movies back in Justice League: The New Frontier, we really didn't want to spend a whole lot of time telling that same story over again. So in Green Lantern: First Flight, the origin story is over and done before the opening credits. That way we get right into Hal Jordan’s first adventure.

They can do something like that for the first 3 to 5 minutes of the movie.

[BigCityBoy]

Given the example of Mark Webb's work and the way he plays on the fourth wall, I am hoping for something like this:

Sony Logo is drawn like a sketch,
Marvel logo comes in with the flipping of the panels, then we pan out to show it in a comic book frame

an orchestrated music begins as the camera pans to the right, revealing the cover of amazing fantasy #15.

Stan Lee's voice is heard narrating over the panel.

"Like Costume heroes? Confidently, we in the comic mag business refer to them as "long underwear characters!!" and as you know, they're a dime a dozen! but, we think you may find OUR Spider-Man Just a bit different"

At this point the opening credits begin with the new theme, Each credit shows a different panel from Amazing Fantasy #15 featuring the key moments. Ending with the beautiful shot of Spider-Man accepting his responsibility

as we end with: Directed by Marc Webb

The last comic panel transitions into a real shot of Spider-Man in full costume.

Peter's past and how he got his powers would also be revealed through out various movies conversations, brief flashbacks.

At the risk of sounding corny, I would even like it if Stan Lee Narrated the flash backs, almost the way marvel does the billet points when an issue references a previous arc.

That actually sounds cools!

[Alex The Great]

I wager they go the SSM route and have flashbacks. I wouldn't mind that actually.

[Shikamaru]

I think the reboot should have a complete linear story and I have three good reasons why:
1. You could use the origin to set up for future villains. They did this with Ultimate Spider-Man.
2. People who don't read comics and didn't keep up with the news will walk in theatres in 2012 expecting a sequel to Spider-Man 3. What do you think they would say if they just see Peter being Spider-Man and still in high school at the beginning of the movie? They would get confused. If you do an origin, at least they will get some sort of idea or point that the movie is not a sequel but a reboot.
3. In the first Spider-Man film, it didn't feel that much that Peter was bullied. It just felt like he had a bad day. We could now adapt and feel the true pain and geekiness of being pushed around in high school.

[Reikowolf]

That actually sounds cools!

Thanks, one can hope.

That being said, if any of you have seen kick-ass, the way they did the big daddy/hit-girl origin, amazing!

They took Romita Jr.'s art from the graphic novel and even made some panels into CG.

Pretty snazzy for a $30-45M budget

[luca_frontino]

Oh, come on!
Are you so fixated with these f**king origins so much?!

Spider-Man's have been told 3 times already, with a linear story and 2 recaps.
So... been there, done that.

Next movie should be a real time event. A 2 hours in the double life of Peter Parker.
And it better be Mysterio in it, cool as in "Old Man Logan".

[blackbyrd]

I would prefer they go even further back using canon....

Richard and Mary Parker have one son, Peter. They both work for the USG as government agents for SHIELD. Because they are going on a secret mission, they give guardianship of young Peter to Richard's brother, Ben and his wife, May. Ben and May get word that Pete's parents have died and have to tell Peter. As a result Pete becomes introverted dealing with that knowledge. Immerses himself in science which he excels at. Then, one day...Peter Parker attends a science exhibition where he is bitten by a genetically altered (previously radiated) spider. Peter later discovers the spider bite has given him an array of spider-like powers (http://forums.superherohype.com/#Powers.2C_abilities.2C_equipment.2C_and_costumes) , including wall-crawling, superhuman strength, speed and agility, and an extrasensory (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Extrasensory_perception) "spider-sense".
Peter initially sets out to find fame and fortune, winning (http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=334411#) a match while wearing a makeshift disguise against professional wrestler (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Professional_wrestling) Crusher Hogan (not Bonesaw McGraw like Raimi thinks). He attempts to interest a television network in the idea of featuring him as a costumed hero (with the advantage that he can actually do the things his character can), and creates the Spider-Man name, costume, and web-shooters. After quickly becoming a minor celebrity, Peter appears on a television special, but afterward allows a thief (Dutch Malone) to escape the TV station, asserting that it isn't his problem. He comes to regret his inaction when he finds out that the same burglar (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Burglar_%28comics%29) subsequently killed his Uncle Ben.
Realizing that he could have prevented his uncle's death, the guilt-ridden Peter commits to a life of crimefighting (http://forums.superherohype.com/wiki/Crime) and lifesaving, driven by the words, "With great power there must also come great responsibility (http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=334411#)".

[spidermanJLA!~]

How about the story from ultimate spider-man, but tweaked a little bit. They should have the OZ formula. But norman osborn just uses the formula to physically suit up instead of a monster. They should do it like the incredible hulk.

[Wesker]

They probably will use the Ultimate origin, but not shown at the start and hopefully not by flashbacks, my version would have Norman showing an interest in Peter during the movie -with him already being SM- and at the end, we see the origin thru Norman's files/surveillance video while he takes the formula on himself, with it also being a cliffhanger as Norman knows Spidey's identity.

[Rodrigo90]

What I think would create drama is Peter not truly knowing who his parents were, only by what his Aunt and Uncle have told him. Apparently, maybe, they were doctors or teachers and were killed in a car crash.

Then in future movies he finds out that they were Goverment Agents,and this leads to a confrontation with Chameleon and Spidey swinging around Moscow. If Batman can go abroad,why cant Spider-Man?

[Ajendo]

3. In the first Spider-Man film, it didn't feel that much that Peter was bullied. It just felt like he had a bad day. We could now adapt and feel the true pain and geekiness of being pushed around in high school.

You're joking right?? That's probably the only thing Raimi got right and took too far. Peter was still being bullied in SM3.

[Rodrigo90]

In the story I'm writing,the origin is at the beginning,through flashbacks. At Ben's funeral,the priest is talking about Ben,then about the one responsible for his death. Resulting in a quick flashback to the wrestling match where the robber runs past him,but big-headed Peter tells the guard "Sorry,aint my problem,Im not a cop". Showing Ben's death at home,and flashing to the robber being unmasked. Peter mutters to himself "Its my fault...Im responsible" and runs out the church.

Cutting to Spider-Man battling a bunch of thugs,and taking the pee out of them. As he leaves it cuts to flashbacks of how he got his powers. Later at the Daily Bugle, Peter hands the pics to JJ,and he announces a rather nasty headline. Peter asks him why he thinks Spider-Man is a menace. JJ claims that Spider-Man is NOT a hero,his guess is that Spider-Man is a scumbag who has done something bad and he fights crime to make himself better.
Of course this hits a note with Peter,and the story is about what he really is fighting for.

[Rodrigo90]

Its Spider-Man's personal dilemma. Cause scenes im writing he isnt being a hero,just a vigilante. His problem is trying to fight against his guilt and responsibility. He fights thugs and moves on. But when the super-villain comes along,he tells Gwen "That thing could kill me...I dont want to die". But he decides to be a hero and take on the responsibilities of a hero and battle the villain and whatever else comes his way.

Peter later visits Uncle Ben's grave and apologises for running away from his responsibilities. He says that he will honor Ben by being a hero and facing his troubles head on. He has learned the lesson "With Great Power,There Must Also Come Great Responsibility".

[spidermanJLA!~]

Y'now what Rodrigo? That is one cool storyline. You have my vote.

[spidermanJLA!~]

Sony should really visit SHH. They could actually learn something and get some sweeeeet ideas.

[project13]

Here's another idea on how the origin should be presented:

QUESTION: How much origin story should Green Lantern fans expect to see?

LAUREN MONTGOMERY: As we had already done the origin story a few movies back in Justice League: The New Frontier, we really didn't want to spend a whole lot of time telling that same story over again. So in Green Lantern: First Flight, the origin story is over and done before the opening credits. That way we get right into Hal Jordan’s first adventure.

They can do something like that for the first 3 to 5 minutes of the movie.






What I'm trying to say is that the origin should serve as a "cold open" (a prologue that comes before the credits roll). That way the movie can go straight to the plot without wondering "how did Pete get spider-powers?"

[Original Spawn]

How i would do it?
In the first film i would use a flashback of ben´s death and allude to peter having been bitten, and the i would begin the 2nd film with the happenings of when he was bitten.

[Troy_Parker]

It should definately have flashbacks of the origin.

I don't think they'd do a no origin movie, for some younger fans, or someone else who's just getting into the movie/character... it wouldn't make sense.

[Spidey220987]

Given the example of Mark Webb's work and the way he plays on the fourth wall, I am hoping for something like this:

Sony Logo is drawn like a sketch,
Marvel logo comes in with the flipping of the panels, then we pan out to show it in a comic book frame

an orchestrated music begins as the camera pans to the right, revealing the cover of amazing fantasy #15.

Stan Lee's voice is heard narrating over the panel.

"Like Costume heroes? Confidently, we in the comic mag business refer to them as "long underwear characters!!" and as you know, they're a dime a dozen! but, we think you may find OUR Spider-Man Just a bit different"

At this point the opening credits begin with the new theme, Each credit shows a different panel from Amazing Fantasy #15 featuring the key moments. Ending with the beautiful shot of Spider-Man accepting his responsibility

as we end with: Directed by Marc Webb

The last comic panel transitions into a real shot of Spider-Man in full costume.

Peter's past and how he got his powers would also be revealed through out various movies conversations, brief flashbacks.

At the risk of sounding corny, I would even like it if Stan Lee Narrated the flash backs, almost the way marvel does the billet points when an issue references a previous arc.

I LOVE this, especially how you interpret what he did with (500) Days of Summer;s opening, with the whole sketch thing

6Er1UvuLsaI

[Harry_Lime02]

I think it'll be like one scene, and maybe a few lines of dialogue later on. The sooner they get it over with, the better.

[Duskbyday]

I like the way they did it in Tim Burton's Batman, because we all know the origin well enough. Have the main story play out and just a scene, something like visiting Uncle Ben's grave saying sorry or anything else better than that (Probably are tons of better scenes to do this, but I'm lazy to think of any) where we get the sense of what happned. But in all honesty I don't mind the root they take...

Unless it's like the origin in 2002 Spiderman that would be a waste of potential, and make me ask why we have the reboot.

[Doctor Jones]

No origin. As long as it's not the main point. Show it in the credits or a flashback in the film, but not like the first film. Otherwise, yeah, what's the point of this reboot?

[TheSlag]

I like flashbacks and narrative from Peter at Uncle Ben's funeral. It would also serve as a great way to introduce us to a lot of the main characters as well.

[Kurt Wagner]

Just skip the entire origin and start with Parker already being Spider-Man. By now, everyone already knows his origin, even if they didn't read a comicbook or saw the Raimi movies.

OR

Do the Death of Gwen Stacy storyline

OR

Actually re-do the origin with a radioactive spider.

[Chris Wallace]

Just skip the entire origin and start with Parker already being Spider-Man. By now, everyone already knows his origin, even if they didn't read a comicbook or saw the Raimi movies.


You could've stopped here.

[Mrpaul]

I say get right into the Spidey story. No origin

[DigificWriter]

I'm of the opinion that, any time you're going to 'reboot' or reset something, particularly a comic property like Spider-Man, the origin is a necessity because it helps to establish that this is a new version of what's come or been seen before. As was said, not having the origin could lead to confusion on the part of general audiences as to the exact nature of this reset film and whether or not it is connected to Raimi's Spider-Trilogy. As for how the origin should be done, I would personally prefer to see them do it linearly. If you're only going to do the origin story in flashback, you don't hire somebody of Martin Sheen's caliber to play the role of Ben Parker; given that Sheen's been cast, it is very likely that they're going to do the origin linearly, although I don't know if they necessarily have to spend nearly as long covering it as Raimi did with his first film. Given how iconic Spidey's origin is, you could actually tell all the significant parts of it in 10 to 15 minutes, IMO; doing the origin in a short amount of time would also help distance the film from Raimi's, since it establishes that this is clearly meant to be a reset/reboot/retelling of Spidey's origin and story.

[thebatsam]

I would prefer it being kept quite short shown in the opening credits with Peter's voiceover explaining it all
then it snaps back to current time in the middle of him battling some thugs (at a point where he's getting punched for examlple) with a comment like 'this is my life' or something like that

[Venom'sDad]

I would prefer it being kept quite short shown in the opening credits with Peter's voiceover explaining it all
then it snaps back to current time in the middle of him battling some thugs (at a point where he's getting punched for examlple) with a comment like 'this is my life' or something like thatYeah, I agree... there's really no need to re-hash the whole origin.

With that said, there is a reason they're bringing Martin Sheen(if true) on board. I can't see it being for "flashbacks"; which lead me to believe, they may very well be re-hashing the whole origin story. Which is unnecessary and time consuming, imo.