Source: NY Mag Vulture Blog

Mere days after Sony announced that the would be retooling their Spider-Man franchise without director Sam Raimi or cast members Tobey Maguire or Kirsten Dunst, it’s been widely reported that they are to broker a deal with Golden Globe-nominated (500) Days of Summer filmmaker Marc Webb to take over the Spidey reigns.

Not only that, but Webb is being signed up to direct three Spider-Man movies in a whole new franchise that will focus much more on Peter Parker’s private life and less on his superhero antics. The studio thinks that he may bring a fresh angle to the character - and the fact that he’s far cheaper than Raimi and crew will also be an added bonus. Webb’s deal will also not include any percentage of the film’s gross; had Spider-Man 4 gone ahead as originally planned, Raimi and Maguire were expected to claim more than 25 percent of the total gross. Add in the recent collapse of the DVD market, which is down 17 percent from last year in the last three months, and Sony were clearly getting worried that the existing Spider-Man franchise would stop making them any money. By lowering their overheads, and bringing in new blood, they are undoubtedly hoping for a Batman-like relaunch.