Spider-Man 4 Canned

Sony Pictures have released a statement confirming that the current Spider-Man franchise - at only ten years old - is being dumped in favour of a revamped origin story.

The studio also announced the news on Twitter; "Spider-Man: Summer 2012: Peter Parker is going back to high school when the next Spider-Man hits theaters in the summer of 2012."

It's fair to say our Spidey sense has been tingling recently, with rumours of script rewrites and discrepancies between the comics series' director, Sam Raimi, and the studio circulating for a while, but it was last week's news that the release date had been shuffled around that truly had us worried.

Raimi is said to have been concerned about the scheduled 2011 release date, and left the project on the basiss that he couldn't keep the movie's integrity while achieving a relatively quick release, although he hasn't publically blamed anyone for the fiasco.

“Working on the Spider-Man movies was the experience of a lifetime for me," Raimi said in a statement released to the press.

"While we were looking forward to doing a fourth one together, the studio and Marvel have a unique opportunity to take the franchise in a new direction, and I know they will do a terrific job.”

Tobey Maguire, meanwhile, told Deadline.com: “I am so proud of what we accomplished with the Spider-Man franchise over the last decade. Beyond the films themselves I have formed some deep and lasting friendships. I am excited to see the next chapter unfold in this incredible story.”"

New Karate Kid Trailer

It's fair to say that we weren't very optimistic when we heard about the plans to remake The Karate Kid, particularly when 11-year-old Jaden Smith was cast in the role that was originally played by then-23-year-old Ralph Macchio.

But on first viewing of the trailer, it seems there's hope yet.

Jackie Chan's found some acting presence to go with his ridiculously fast moves, while Jaden Smith looks like he might acquit himself as the child who struggles to settle in his new home.

The action scenes look punchy, the bullies look suitably evil, and the fact that Chan actually knows what he's doing (go back and watch the 1984 version again and look at Mr Miyagi's old man moves) will be to the movie's advantage.

Sure, there doesn't appear to be any Banarama on the soundtrack, and there are few nods to director John G. Avildsen's 1984 original, but it does look like it'll remain true to the formula. And at the age of 11, it's unlikely Smith will be 30 by the time they make a trilogy.