Sequels Anatomy of a Spidey Sequel

[kaijunexus]

Spider-Man 3 is indeed epic in scale, far more so than it's predecessors. As exciting and enjoyable this is, it promotes a problem for subsequent sequels. How can the 4th Spider-Man possibly outdo or even match the grand scale that this film has managed to create.

Firstly, we must examine the anatomy of the Spider-Man films...

Obviously, the villains are at the core of the films, creating the most obvious threat for Spidey...

Spider-Man: Green Goblin (introduced and killed in film, catalyst for the development of Harry's transition into the New Goblin)

Spider-Man 2: Doctor Octopus (introduced and killed in film)

Spider-Man 3: New Goblin (completion of Goblin arc), Sandman (introduced), Venom

Of course, each film features not just villains, but personal struggles and lessons for Peter Parker as well...

Spider-Man: Peter must cope with his new-found powers and death of Uncle Ben. He learns the lesson of responsibility, not to mention keeping loved ones out of harms way.

Spider-Man 2: Peter loses powers due to internal conflict based on wanting a normal life. The lesson learned here is one of giving up what you want for a greater good.

Spider-Man 3: Peter's ego inflates due to the city's support. After bonding with the symbiote, his personality and actions turn dark, forcing him to strip himself of the black suit. The lesson? Forgiveness.


All of the internal struggles Pete has faced have also taken place in the comics. In keeping with this trend, Raimi (assuming, and hoping, he's involved in the next three films) will hopefully be opting to draw from the comics for further stories.

Of the top of my head, here are a few personal struggles/situations that have effected Peter in the comics (and my ideas for how they may be integrated into a fourth film)...

Note: All of these possibility summaries assume that Dr. Connors would be featured as The Lizard in the fourth film.


Marriage/Baby: Peter and MJ are now married and want a child. Peter discovers (perhaps thanks to Doc Connors) that a particular aspect of his genes are abnormal (obviously due to the spider mutation) and could adversely effect his child. Pete would then need to seek out a means of rectifying this...which could then lead into our next struggle...

...Man-Spider: In an attempt to cure himself of his genetic abnormalities, Pete subjects himself to his own experiments (possibly under supervision of Connors). Unfortunately, the effects are quite opposite of what he hopes, resulting in further transformation, eventually resulting in the Man-Spider. However...who would then be left to cure Spider, and fight The Lizard when Connors undergoes his transformation?

...Clone Saga: Why, another Spider-Man of course! t:


Of course, this is just me rambling. But it gives you an idea of what to expect in ways of franchise anatomy...

 

[LuiECuomo]

You've done some good thinking and have some great ideas here. I really love the idea of a Man-Spider VS. Lizard movie. This is what I think Spider-Man 4 should center on. The other villains would be Kraven and the Chameleon.

How would you incorporate the Clone Saga into the films?

 

[pjspider1C]

I like the idea of MJ & Peter possibly having a baby... not too fond of the rest. It's a good idea, I'm just not sold on it yet.

I think it would be nice to see The Lizard and Black Cat. Why?

Black Cat first be a villian, as the movie progresses be attracted to Spider-Man, trying to persuade him to live a more adventurous life of power. And of course, this would throw in a whole boat-load of complications with MJ.

Meanwhile, Dr. Connors would be trying to regenerate his arm, neglect his family, and end up transforming himself into the Lizard.

This would have more of a Family vs. Power theme that I think would easily lend itself to the franchise.

 

[Venom 1988]

Yea those are some interesting thoughts you bring up kaijunexus. We basically gotta figure out what lesson Peter has to face in his life.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Eh... baby/marriage... no thanks... gotto be something else...

 

[Venom 1988]

Yea the only way I'd see the inclusion of a "baby" is if MJ gets pregnant but then gets a miscarriage.

 

[Eddie Brock]

It all comes down to the THEME. It influences EVERYTHING about the movie...take Sandman, for example. The whole Sandman/Uncle Ben angle was created purely to fit the Revenge theme.

 

[Venom 1988]

It all comes down to the THEME. It influences EVERYTHING about the movie...take Sandman, for example. The whole Sandman/Uncle Ben angle was created purely to fit the Revenge theme.

exactly

 

[Eddie Brock]

exactly

Hence why I went on my rant about Venom (that you so nicely put into your signature).

Venom fits perfectly into the REVENGE theme, and once SM3 is over, so is Venom's job and purpose in the movies.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Thing is... no ones got a theme... please don't give me "Need to save the ones I love... balance my relationships... do what is requested of me".... they have been doing that the past three films... any Spidey flicks from here on out will be pretty much eye candy... unless they go a totally different route... ala ManSpider or something

 

[Eddie Brock]

Thing is... no ones got a theme... please don't give me "Need to save the ones I love... balance my relationships... do what is requested of me".... they have been doing that the past three films... any Spidey flicks from here on out will be pretty much eye candy... unless they go a totally different route... ala ManSpider or something

Yes, let's completely disregard the one thing that makes the Spider-Man movies awesome: the theme.

If you forget about the theme, and just do "eye candy", these movies will sink faster than the Titanic.

 

[Spiderine]

Its always about great stories first if you abandon that you get Batman.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Yes, let's completely disregard the one thing that makes the Spider-Man movies awesome: the theme.

If you forget about the theme, and just do "eye candy", these movies will sink faster than the Titanic.

You misunderstood me... I was saying there isn't many themes left that haven't already been explored... saving Conners because he was a former mentor isn't really a theme. Keep in mind we have already had villains with alter egos... Ock... Goblin... Lizard is just another variation... they need to do something more than just Lizard... but it will essentially be eye candy from here on out no matter what... what more can Peter learn? WHy don't you throw your brilliant ideas at me... b/c everyone just seems to be throwing a monstrosity of villains with no coherance whatsoever without even touching on the themes

 

[Eddie Brock]

You misunderstood me... I was saying there isn't many themes left that haven't already been explored... saving Conners because he was a former mentor isn't really a theme. Keep in mind we have already had villains with alter egos... Ock... Goblin... Lizard is just another variation... they need to do something more than just Lizard... but it will essentially be eye candy from here on out no matter what... what more can Peter learn? WHy don't you throw your brilliant ideas at me... b/c everyone just seems to be throwing a monstrosity of villains with no coherance whatsoever without even touching on the themes

So because the A-List villains are all but done with, Peter has stopped learning and developing? Gee, there's an interesting character.

I'm no screenwriter, I'll never make that claim. However, I am fairly good at deconstructing something that someone else has made. Basically, I can't come up with a great theme, but I can pick up on it if someone else makes it.

Spider-Man: With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility
Spider-Man 2: To Do What's Right, We Must Give Up Our Dreams
Spider-Man 3: Revenge Is Like a Poison

so maybe, Spider-Man 4: Good Intentions Alone Are Not Enough

Dr. Connors transformed himself in an attempt to find a way to re-grow limbs. Kraven - on the outside, at least - is looking to protect NY by capturing the dangerous Lizard and Spider-Man.

Now, obviously, Kraven's "good intentions" are only skin-deep. But you could have Kraven be sincere. Perhaps Kraven really DOES believe that he is helping by capturing Lizard and Spider-Man. What Kraven doesn't realize is that he is approaching it the wrong way, and that he is taking it too far.

 

[pjspider1C]

So because the A-List villains are all but done with, Peter has stopped learning and developing? Gee, there's an interesting character.

I'm no screenwriter, I'll never make that claim. However, I am fairly good at deconstructing something that someone else has made. Basically, I can't come up with a great theme, but I can pick up on it if someone else makes it.

Spider-Man: With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility
Spider-Man 2: To Do What's Right, We Must Give Up Our Dreams
Spider-Man 3: Revenge Is Like a Poison

so maybe, Spider-Man 4: Good Intentions Alone Are Not Enough

Dr. Connors transformed himself in an attempt to find a way to re-grow limbs. Kraven - on the outside, at least - is looking to protect NY by capturing the dangerous Lizard and Spider-Man.

Now, obviously, Kraven's "good intentions" are only skin-deep. But you could have Kraven be sincere. Perhaps Kraven really DOES believe that he is helping by capturing Lizard and Spider-Man. What Kraven doesn't realize is that he is approaching it the wrong way, and that he is taking it too far.

I like it, but where is Peter's story-arch?

 

[Catman]

...Clone Saga: Why, another Spider-Man of course! t:

The horror!

 

[Eddie Brock]

I like it, but where is Peter's story-arch?

Who knows? Like I said, I'm no screenwriter. I can't think of any personal storyline that involves the theme "Good Intentions Alone Are Not Enough."

 

[XXTBWCXX]

Man-Spider would be too much...imo.

 

[Spiderine]

no need to use man spider.

 

[FaT_tONle]

So because the A-List villains are all but done with, Peter has stopped learning and developing? Gee, there's an interesting character.

I'm no screenwriter, I'll never make that claim. However, I am fairly good at deconstructing something that someone else has made. Basically, I can't come up with a great theme, but I can pick up on it if someone else makes it.

Spider-Man: With Great Power, Comes Great Responsibility
Spider-Man 2: To Do What's Right, We Must Give Up Our Dreams
Spider-Man 3: Revenge Is Like a Poison

so maybe, Spider-Man 4: Good Intentions Alone Are Not Enough

Dr. Connors transformed himself in an attempt to find a way to re-grow limbs. Kraven - on the outside, at least - is looking to protect NY by capturing the dangerous Lizard and Spider-Man.

Now, obviously, Kraven's "good intentions" are only skin-deep. But you could have Kraven be sincere. Perhaps Kraven really DOES believe that he is helping by capturing Lizard and Spider-Man. What Kraven doesn't realize is that he is approaching it the wrong way, and that he is taking it too far.

Not terrible...

 

[Eddie Brock]

Not terrible...

Yes, but like the one poster said, I can't think of a personal story for Peter that fits that theme.

 

[SamuraiSon6]

I like the idea of MJ & Peter possibly having a baby... not too fond of the rest. It's a good idea, I'm just not sold on it yet.

I think it would be nice to see The Lizard and Black Cat. Why?

Black Cat first be a villian, as the movie progresses be attracted to Spider-Man, trying to persuade him to live a more adventurous life of power. And of course, this would throw in a whole boat-load of complications with MJ.

Meanwhile, Dr. Connors would be trying to regenerate his arm, neglect his family, and end up transforming himself into the Lizard.

This would have more of a Family vs. Power theme that I think would easily lend itself to the franchise.

i wouldnt want another love temptation however, if black cat is done, i would like spidey to be attracted to her, not physically, but for what she represents, freedom.
taking another posters direction, pete and mj are having or have had a baby and not only peter parker, but spider-mans life has become VERY mundane now

 

[englishtrebor]

I am a screenwriter and am currently writing a spec script for "Spider-Man 4." It explores themes of loss and inability to change the world around you.

 

[pjspider1C]

I am a screenwriter and am currently writing a spec script for "Spider-Man 4." It explores themes of loss and inability to change the world around you.

Care to elaborate?

 

[englishtrebor]

After convincing a girl with murder in her heart to rethink her actions, a freak car accident leaves Peter Parker at loss for one of his loved ones yet again. Another funeral, more work at the lab, and preparing for a proposal, Parker quickly finds that even the most well-intentioned people are bound to fail sometimes. When Dr. Connors uses the remaining portion of the symbiote in a personal experiment, he is morphed into the Lizard, a beast only Spider-Man can see is only a man. But the cost for saving him from his altered ego is steppe, as his secret identity of Peter Parker doesn’t remain so secret when Connors informs Jameson who, out of respect, gives Parker a finite number of days to inform the public himself before publishing the truth. The emergence of the escaped symbiote manifests itself in a new vessel, one who shows no respect for life whatsoever. Spider-Man battles this menace, strained with the horrible thought that his life is cursed; that maybe he was never meant to be close with anyone. Accepting his life for what it it, Peter comes to terms that dealing with Carnage, believing himself to be a god/reaper, will require him to see past the human side of a villain; that not everyone can be rescued from their inner demons.

I am a comic book fan but I will stray when nescessary.