The friendly neighborhood superhero has three different movie franchises. But the Spider-Man movies would have been almost entirely different if these Directors had taken over. The movie making industry and the superhero genre survived but barely. It was a rather close call if you ask us.
James Cameron – Spider-Man Trilogy
To say James Cameron‘s ideas for a Spider-Man movie was weird would be the understatement of the century. Thank goodness Sam Raimi was roped in. The superhero genre would have died a premature death if Cameron had taken over. His project involved Edward Furlong as Spider-Man and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Doctor Octopus. One of the many strange scenes was Spider-Man trying to seduce Mary Jane Watson with a Spider Mating Dance. Yep, that’s not weird at all Mr. Cameron.
David Fincher – Spider-Man/The Amazing Spider-Man
David Fincher was considered twice for the role of sitting on the Director’s Chair. He was being considered for Directing the Sam Raimi trilogy. His version involved stating the Origin Story of the superhero during the opening credits while the rest of the movie would take leaves from The Night Gwen Stacy Died. After Sam Raimi left, Sony wanted the movies to become darker. David Fincher, who created the masterpiece Fight Club, was perfect for the job. It eventually went to Marc Webb.
Wes Anderson – The Amazing Spider-Man
Sony was in the lookout for someone good enough to direct The Amazing Spider-Man movie. Before they settled for Marc Webb, their original choice was Wes Anderson. The Director is known for movies like Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. His quirky direction would have sure been an interesting take on a Spider-Man movie. But his ideas when it comes to action blockbusters are kind of a bust. He once pitched a James Bond movie that was set after the Cold War. The plot involved 007 out of a job and desperately in search of espionage and saboteur work. It’s good that Sony chose Marc Webb over him.
Jared Hess – Spider-Man: Homecoming
How would you have liked if the Director of Napoleon Dynamite directed a Spider-Man movie? And not just any Spider-Man movie, it would be the Wall-Crawler’s official debut into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That was the scenario back then a few years ago. Jon Watts was ultimately hired as the Director but the first choice was Jared Hess. Apart from Hess, the other players who were considered were Game Night’s John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein.
Chris Columbus – Spider-Man
The role of Director finally went to Sam Raimi. He then created history. Tobey Maguire and Sam Raimi laid down the foundation for the superhero genre in Hollywood for the years to come. Before Sam Raimi was roped in, the Studio wanted another person to helm the project. Chris Columbus was offered the part. He politely declined because he had another project to take care of. Columbus went on to direct Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Back then people were scratching their heads over why Columbus would turn down such a high paying role. Life does work pretty mysteriously.
