The numbers are in and "The Amazing Spider-Man" is a hit.
(Note, I am writing this about a week before "The Amazing Spider-Man" opens but, call me crazy, I'm pretty sure I'm making a correct assumption here.)
Now that Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone have thwipped their way into our hearts, what's next for Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, New York City and that dude who stood in the shadows and said menacing things to Dr. Curt Connors?
Only time will tell, but, just in case the film's chief producers are reading (oh, who'm I kidding, they get a text every time I blow my nose) I've got five basic suggestions for the "Amazing Spider-Man" sequel.
Musical Director's Chairs
The fact that "The Amazing Spider-Man's" director Marc Webb hasn't said, "Yes, absolutely, I'm 100% on board for the sequel" means the dude isn't doing the sequel. I don't have any inside information on this, but growing up, as I did, in the Soviet Union taught me how to read between the lines. (Note: I did not grow up in the Soviet Union, but I wore out all my Yakov Smirnoff tapes.)
This is not a bad thing. Marc Webb's strength is the rom-com stuff, not so much the visual, adventure material. With the relationship between Peter and Gwen established, I'd like to see a director with a recognizable maker's mark on the material.
There's certainly precedent for this. When you think of the "Bourne" films you think of the "Paul Greengrass style." Greengrass didn't make the first "Bourne" movie, Doug Liman did. Greengrass, who'd turned heads in the industry with his marvelous, low-budget flick "Bloody Sunday" was hired and the rest is history.
Peter Patter Please
What's the best part of "The Amazing Spider-Man?" The carjacker scene. Why? Because it's the part that's most like the Spider-Man comics.
Peter Parker's principle weapon is his mouth. He slings zings before he slings webs. I dunno about you, but I would have liked to've seen a little more of this in the movie. But with Spidey's self-confidence firmly established, maybe we'll see a lot of it in the sequel.
A Less Darker Parker
Similar to the request for more yuks comes this request: hey, Peter Parker, lighten up!
You can climb walls and never have to pay for bus fare, you've got a gorgeous girlfriend and great hair. I know Uncle Ben got shot but sitting in your bedroom and staring at the floor isn't gonna' fix that. Go out and have a good time!
"The Next Stop On Our Studio Tour Is..."
And when you DO go out, don't try to fool us with fake New York!
I hope the producers of the sequel do a better job with their New York geography next time. Downtown one minute, up by the Willis Avenue Bridge a moment later. And, please, the "39th Street" subway station !?!? Are you TRYING to get called out on this?
He's a Menace!
I'm less interested in who the big villain is than in whether or not J. Jonah Jameson is gonna be in the sequel. Webb basically nixed the idea of having the Daily Bugle editor in the film because J. K. Simmons made such an impression in the Sam Raimi films.
I completely agree – so I have a perfect solution. Hire him again. You think J. K. Simmons doesn't want another Spidey-sized paycheck? I mean, they got Sally Field for heaven's sake! And it's not like people have FORGOTTEN that these previous movies are out there. But that's a conversation for another day...
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