Fans should not worry about the status of "Spider-Man 4". Following report that the production was halted, Sony Pictures has denied the rumor, claiming the production is on their expected holiday hiatus, but will resume early next year. Moreover, the studio explained that work is still underway on the script, which is common as filmmakers are always working scripts right up until principal photography begins.
On Wednesday, December 16, IESB first reported that the production of the fourth "Spider-Man" film was put on indefinite hold. According to the site, an inside source informed them that several department heads working on the film were notified about the halt on last Thursday, December 10.
Moreover, an incomplete script was blamed for the halt. The site explained further that Sam Raimi and studio heads at Sony could not agree upon a villain for the film. The helmer was reported pushing hard for the Vulture to be the villain, but the studio wanted any villain but Vulture.
Additionally, the site claimed the production team has been using "Spider-M4N" to refer to the film. However, the studio has not made any comment about report of the working title.
In "Spider-Man 4", Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will return to reprise their roles as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson. David Lindsay-Abaire, and James Vanderbilt have been tapped to write the script. Previously, Maguire has stated principal photography is scheduled to be kicked off in February or March 2010, while Columbia Pictures plans to release the film in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2011.