Brian DePalma was offered Spider-Man but turned it down.

[Advanced Dark]

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/10/17/de-palma-talks-about-dodging-spider-mans-web/

<H2>De Palma Talks About Dodging Spider-Man’s Web


0 Comments | Published by Shawn Adler on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 12:51 pm.

Long tracking shots of Mary-Jane Watson? A split-screen composition showing Peter Parker shadowing Harry Osborn? Al Pacino as the Green Goblin?
If the mind reels at what kind of “Star Wars” films David Cronenberg or David Lynch could have made, imagine what sort of superhero flick the great Brian De Palma would have given the world.
It actually came closer to happening than you think.
“As a matter of fact, years and years ago they came to me with ‘Spider-Man,’” the neo-Hitchcockian director — whose newest movie “Redacted” centers on the media coverage of the Iraq War — revealed to MTV News. “I still have those stacks of comic books.”
But although he’s worked in several different genres, including horror and sci-fi, De Palma is best known for his crime thrillers. It’s perhaps because of this that he admitted “Spider-Man” isn’t “really what I do.”
“The comic book world is not something I have a natural affinity for,” he confessed. “I like to go into real situations and do stylized, expressionistic renditions of them more.”
Nevertheless, the offer was on the table. So what would a De Palma “Spider-Man” have looked like? How would he have stacked up to Sam Raimi? Sound off below.

 

[Spider-Fan]

No offense to DePalma, but I think Raimi's style worked better for Spider-Man than his would have.

 

[Advanced Dark]

DePalma is a great director. I've been happy with Raimi but I want someone new for the next one. Let Raimi produce it but give the reigns over. Just like Burton and Nolan both did superb jobs with Batman...yet so very different.

 

[Blader5489]

DePalma is a great director. I've been happy with Raimi but I want someone new for the next one. Let Raimi produce it but give the reigns over. Just like Burton and Nolan both did superb jobs with Batman...yet so very different.

But for every Nolan, there's a Schumacher. Which is why, personally, I'm very apprehensive about having anyone but Raimi directing the next film.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Schumacher is a talented director who's made more bad choices than good choices. He has made some outstanding films though. I wouldn't want him for Spider-Man though. I think people feel safe & secure with what they know and fear the unknown. I'm not afraid to give another director a shot at all. I want something different. Not the same MJ screaming and sappy Kirsten chatter. I want another take on a Spidey story.

 

[Mr Jide]

But for every Nolan, there's a Schumacher. Which is why, personally, I'm very apprehensive about having anyone but Raimi directing the next film.

I understand your fears but surely, you must have some faith in the slightest possibility of another director doing a better job than what Raimi has done thus far?

 

[shigsy2003]

I too am happy with Raimi's Spidey films however unlike Peter Jackson (who was born to direct LOTR) Sam Raimi was not born to direct Spidey and Maguire was not born to play Peter Parker (unlike Elijah Wood who was born to play Frodo).

Saying that, I would be more happy to keep Maguire as he is now established in that role. It wouldn't bother me to lose Raimi though.

DePalma for Spidey...quality director but not a Spidey director.

 

[Advanced Dark]

There's probably dozens of directors out there that would do Spidey justice if given the chance. I'd love to see Kraven, I'd love to see a Punisher sub-plot, there's so many different stories to tell that all have their own undertones.

 

[tdeverea]

I'll go out on a limb and say that DePalma could've made a Spidey film as good or better than Raimi if the script was right... I definitely think Dafoe would've been a MORE terrifying villain under the direction of someone like DePalma.

 

[Mr Jide]

Depalma probably would have gone for the gang wars storyline.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

There's probably dozens of directors out there that would do Spidey justice if given the chance.

I concur. Absolutely.

 

[Visionary]

Depalma probably would have gone for the gang wars storyline.

Yeah, and he probably would have gone all R-rated with it. I would have loved it.

Florida Evans says: Damn, damn..daaammn!

 

[TheVileOne]

Thank God it wasn't DePalma. He hasn't made a good movie in 20 years.

 

[LegendaryCaleb]

DePalma woulda been awful IMO

 

[Advanced Dark]

He's a great director but Spider-Man doesn't come to mind when I think of him. David Fincher...maybe. Alex Proyas...maybe. Tony Scott...maybe. Hell even Michael Bay could probably have fun with it. There's plenty of choices out there.

 

[ultimatefan]

Regardless of how you put De Palma among filmmakers - and he has made some great movies, but a LONG time ago... - Spider-Man never seemed like something close to his cinematic sensibilities. Batman, hmmm, maybe.

 

[Advanced Dark]

^ Yeah he'd be cool for Batman or Nick Fury maybe.

 

[WorthyStevens]

Scarface DePalma? Perhaps. Black Dahlia DePalma? NO.

 

[Alex The Great]

DePalma? meh.......Raimi FTW

 

[DACrowe]

Well I"m personally glad he turned it down. He has done some great movies...but in the past. While Raimi made the Spidey movies he made Femme Fatale which was very intruging visually and entertaining, but kind of cold and distant and he made The Black Dalhia which he claimed to have used his pulpy and camp sensibilities in a more comic freeing way....and the movie while gorgeous to look at, was absolutely horrible. A few great DePalma esque scenes and great cinematography did not excuse the terrible plotting, pacing and acting in that movie. To be fair though he was pulling accurately from a James Ellroy novel whose books are always overbloated prentious ego trips that fortunately Curtis Hanson saw through to create the superior than the text--LA Confidential.

But either way I'm glad DePalma didn't do this. His best work was in the '70s and '80s. But I respect the director, though.

 

[Mr. Socko]

DeDalma's artistic merit as a director has gone to the same place as Coopla's and George Lucas's.

 

[Arcturus]

Imagine if Uwe Boll directed Spider-Man!