thank you, I'm glad I didn't get burned in effigy on that one.
And your right, I hadn't thought about the impact of two people dying in Spider-Man 1. To make a counter argument though, who says the events of SM1 had to be the same in a re-boot. Make Peter fall for Gwen in SM1, and I mean actually fall HARD, with her falling just as hard for him, and have Pete actually battle whichever villian you put in it WITHOUT having to defend Gwen, just the villian vs Spiderman with the world hanging in the balance. Then, in SM2, really build up the love Pete and Gwen have, because most people who follow the who comics line feel that Gwen was his true soul mate, and at the end have Gobby and the death of Gwen. That would really throw the audience off balance, and make it more impactful, it would also really give the actor who is Spider-Man a chance to shine, plus it would really drive home the motivations as to why Peter doesn't let anyone get close to him again until Mary Jane, and she had to really fight to get in there. Finally, it would also help in future sequals, because non-comic fans would feel like everyone and anyone is fair game.
Then, in SM3, we get introduced to MJ, but while there might be an attraction between both of them, there is no relationship in that movie, just some teasing "maybe" moments, and near the end, there are signs that MJ's getting to him, then is SM4, the walls come down ala SM2's ending.
As far as two love interest in the series, I think it could be done, if handled correctly. If they made MJ someone who was very classy, very strong, charasmatic and beautiful, I think it would be entirley possible to have the audience care for her. And if it shows that she is making Peter Parker happy at times, the audience will think, "Good for him, after all he has been through, he needs this." It could be done, but add so much depth to the relationship and any conflicts with villians, just based on what happened to Gwen in SM2.
Villians and thoughts in this kind of series:
Spider-Man
Electro is the villian, and it would be some mixture of how James Cameron had Electro written, and a new version. As far as origins, we've been there before, so not 1/2 the picture ala SM1 or Batman Begins. A quick jump around the block to setup the world we want the audience in, set up the main characters, especially the relationship between Parker and Uncle Ben, and the beginnings of the attraction between the beautiful and smart Gwen Stacy and the nerdy and quiet Peter Parker. This relationship would REALLY deepen over the course of the film. We would also get great sequences that show Peter Parker's genuis, and the difference in his personality and attitude when he is Spider-Man versus when hes out of the suit, like the afore mention Aunt May sequence. An epic battle would follow at the end of the film, with Spidey never being able to touch the ground (and no saving Gwen or anything else in sight) just a pure, true battle between good versus evil, the winner gets the right to survive. Of course, Spidey wins, and everything seems all well and good, until at the end of the film, it is reported that there has been an accident at Oscorp, and that Norman Osborne, CEO and head of the company, is not expect to survive. This is shown as a news narrative that interupts a touching moment between Peter and Gwen, and Pete has to make some sorry excuse about having to go there and get pictures. Seconds later, Spider-Man flashes over Gwens head, in a final swing sequence, on his way to Oscorp to help whoever he can. A small, slight smile is seen on Gwens face just before the camera fades out. Does she know who Spidey is?
Spider-Man 2-
Direct sequel to SM1- Green Goblin is the villian, Gwen dies. Its a straightforward story that continues on the same themes and characters that were setup in SM1. Peter and Gwens relationship really, really deepens, we continue to get the feeling that Gwen may in fact know who Peter really is, Norman goes insane and becomes Goblin. He is transfixed on Spider-Man because Spider-Man saved him from the disaster at Oscorp, instead of letting him die (or something like that, work with me, I'm brainstorming here.) Along the course of the film, he finds out who Parker really is, and there we go. Since this is just ideas being typed out, I'm not going to go in-depth as to how this movie could be made different from Spider-Man 1 to avoid the been there, done that problem, but I have some ideas.
We do get the dropping Gwen sequence from the comics and the movie (except without MJ), and it will be some combination of Spider-Man being too late or when he shoots his webline out he stops her too quick, or something, but one way or the other, Gwen dies in his arms. At the end, she does reveal that she really knew who Peter Parker was by trying to pull of his mask with the last of her strength, and dies before she can see his face one last time, but not before whispering "I love you Peter." We really, really see Spider-Man/Peter Parkers pain after this. He takes off after the Goblin, fire in his eyes. He takes the beating of his life, but gives as good as he gets, and just wont' stop coming. In the end he either kills Goblin, or does something that leads to his death (ala the glider, as in the comics.) Also, no noble Osborn in this one either, this guys is going to be one sick SOB, ala the Joker (just as he is in the comics). The death of Gwen will be exactly what he set up to happen. He is going to be truly evil, someone the audience will be rooting against at the end of the film, instead of feeling sorry for.
At the very end, at Gwens funeral, we are introduced to Mary Jane Watson for the first time. This helps lighten the darkness that has fallen over the end of the film, and gives the audience (and somewhere in the back of his mind, Peter Parker too) a glimmer of hope.
Spider-Man 3-
Several years later, 3-5 years in Peter Parkers world, after SM2. Peter is a accomplished college professor, though still battling his inner darkenss and bitterness after the death of Gwen. This, along with several other things, is the perfect backdrop for the symbiont story.
Parts of this would be key in Peters journey toward healing, or the black abyss. Mary Jane would also make some very light advances in this film, but she respects the pain that Peter still has from the death of Gwen, so she tries to remain a supportive, carring friend and not let her feelings, which have develped the last several years and continue to develop throughout the course of the film, get in the way. By the end of the film, though, it would become clear that Peter does in fact appreciate what MJ has been doing for him, and is developing feelings toward her as well, but we don't see a resolution of any sorts in this movie, just a prelude of things to come.
Peter would battle an enraged Harry Osborn in this one, where Harry has gone insane due to exposure to some of his father chemicals, and is infact either Green Goblin 2 or Hobgoblin. This would resonate with need for revenge explored in SM1 with the thug and Uncle Ben and SM2, with the death of Norman Osborn. This time, its Peter still coming to grips with what happened that last night against the Goblin, sometimes waking up in a cold sweat in the dead of night, and Harry who is out for pure revenge, no if, ands or buts.
The battle with Harry, however, would not be the main focal point of the film, to help avoid the been there, done that feeling from having just fought the Green Goblin in SM2. Instead, it would be used as a tool to show just how the symbiont is changing Peter, bring out his more violent side. He would, in the end, beat the living crap out of a defenseless Harry, while preparing to deliver a killing blow, pulling off the mask to see that it is his friend. The shock would break through the cloud the symbiont had formed on his mind, and he would realize he was in danger of becoming exactly what Harry and his father were. The guilt and realization of just what he was turning into would drive him to remove the symbiont. The ending to this movie would be the ending we were all hoping for in SM3, with an Eddie Brock/Peter Parker storyline also going on.
Again, if handled right, this could be done in a very powerful and dramatic way, and not over stuff the film. Hobgoblin/Spiderman arc would help show just how Spider-Man is changing with the symbiont, and the Eddie Brock storyline would show just how Peter is changing with the symbiont. It would all be brought to a head in the final battle between Spider-Man and Green Goblin2/Hobgoblin that shocks Peter into realizing whats really happening.
At the very end, Peter drives the symbiont off in the church, and it gets on Brock. The last shot we see the transformation, and the birth of Venom. Then the end of the movie, setting up a must see Spider-Man 4 that will end this story arc. One possible exception to that finish would be a final swing sequence at the end of the movie, and just as Spider-Man is swinging off to do another good deed, from the side of the frame comes Venom, and he rushes the camera and the screen goes dark. Either way, Venom is the last thing you see.
Spider-Man 4
Direct sequal to SM3, where Peter is still wrestling with his feelings for MJ, the after effects of just getting free of the symbiont and what it nearly made him, and Venom. This movie would just be the battle between Venom and Spider-Man. Venom is a very complex character, when you dive down to it, as he is a mirror for Peter Parker/Spider-Man. (he just has enough depth to be a one shot character, but if done right, ohhhh what a shot it would be) This would need to be played on.
Combine that Venom is Spider-Man's mirror, and he knows everything about him, will give Spider-Man his ultimate threat in the 4 movies. 2/3rds of the movie would have sporatic battles with Venom, especially a really neat scene when Venom reveals himself to Spider-Man, and also have Eddie Brock/ Venom messing with Spider-Man's head, ala the great sequences in the 90's Spider-Man cartoon, with Eddie Brock showing up at Aunt Mays house, or on a date between Peter and MJ, ect. You could really play on Peter's fears as they grow, and he begins to imagine he is seeing Venom everywhere and begins to think this might be a villian I can't beat.
Finally, at the end, MJ is put into danger and Peter realizes how important she is to him, and that he can't live without her, period. He needs her in his life, and she reveals that, at least for a short time, she has known he was Spider-Man and was willing to take the risk that came along with being with him. (ala the afore mentioned similar to SM2 ending) Venom is beaten in a last ditch effort by Spider-Man, and throughout the course of the movie we use Venom as Peters mirror, and the grounding Mary Jane is giving him, as the lifeline that eventually saves Peter from the black abyss, and saves him.
The arc would end with the end all be all of Final Swings, showing, one and for all, Spider-Man is back.
I don't think I'd come back for a SM5, I'd be burned out by this point.
Anyways, that would be my outline for a Spider-Man reboot. Writing all that was fun, I think I might do some rough story of some of that sometime.
The problem with going this route is that the series takes, as you say, a darker, more mature route that soccer moms and little kids may not want to see over and over again. The trick is finding a balance, don't make Spidey brood like Batman, and don't make him cry like a sissy, you just have to find a middle ground, a balance that works. It could be done with the right director, actors and writers, and I think that Spider-Man, heading along this route, would be as big, if not a bigger hit, than the Spider-Man franshise his already today.
Wow, didn't mean for it to be that long.
Just started typing and things kept coming.
Anyways, as said earlier, thats my own opinions. Flame away if need be.
