She will certainly be cast in the fourth installment

Mar 16, 2009 15:38 GMT  ·  By

“Spider-Man 4” is slated for a theatrical release on May 6, 2011 and director Sam Raimi is already eager to talk to the media about what surprises it may hold in store for fans, even if he’s not really at liberty to reveal anything important. One thing that he can confirm, though, is that he would very much like Kirsten Dunst to reprise her part as Mary-Jane, and will do anything in his power to have her in the fourth film as well, as he tells MTV News in a recent interview.

Speculation about Dunst wanting to leave the production has been building up ever since before the release of the third “Spider-Man” film, so it’s no wonder that Raimi is now answering it by stating out loud that, if it’s up to him, she will be a part of it. As far as he’s concerned, Raimi would make sure the script for the fourth film, which is yet in its early stages, will also include Dunst as Mary-Jane, he assures fans. Whether she accepts to star in it is, of course, only up to her.

“I can’t imagine making a ‘Spider-Man’ movie without Kirsten. Of course it can be done, because Spider Man has existed without the character of Mary-Jane, but she’s one of my favorite parts and it would be a shame not to have her in the picture. I’m hoping she’ll be in it and I’m planning on having a story with her in it.” Raimi tells MTV. With such determination on Raimi’s part and certainly on that of the rest of the crew, it certainly seems that Dunst will return on the silver screen as Peter Parker’s love interest in 2011.

As regards the more burning issues of whether they will be filming “Spider-Man” 4 and 5 back to back in the manner of “Pirates of the Caribbean” (to ensure close releases and thus maximize profits), Raimi says “no dice.” “Right now, we’re just working on the story for ‘Spider-Man 4,’ just that one film.” the director reveals, stressing that only one script is currently in the works. The villains who will be appearing in the fourth film are equally vague right now: Raimi shares he’s not at liberty to discuss their identity, adding that, “Whatever we decide to do will be from Stan Lee’s creations or those that came after him.”

Given the magnitude of the production, rest assured that plenty other details regarding “Spider-Man 4” will start emerging soon enough. Just keep an eye on this space for more.