Well, you didn't need spider-sense to see this one coming. After a week dogged by rumours that Sam Raimi was at loggerheads with Sony over Spider-Man 4, the studio has just announced that they are shelving the Raimi-directed Spider-Man franchise, with a view to completely rebooting the character in 2012.
The reboot, which will be scripted by James Vanderbilt, will return Peter Parker to his high school/drippy teen origins, as he comes into very close contact with a radioactive spider.
Sony issued the following statement, from Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, just minutes ago:
"A decade ago we set out on this journey with Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire and together we made three 'Spider-Man' films that set a new bar for the genre. When we began, no one ever imagined that we would make history at the box-office and now we have a rare opportunity to make history once again with this franchise. Peter Parker as an ordinary young adult grappling with extraordinary powers has always been the foundation that has made this character so timeless and compelling for generations of fans. We're very excited about the creative possibilities that come from returning to Peter's roots and we look forward to working once again with Marvel Studios, Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin on this new beginning."
Raimi also issued a statement, suggesting that the split is final and irrevocable, if amicable.
"Working on the 'Spider-Man' movies was the experience of a lifetime for me. 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," he said.
Clearly, all had not been well for some time on Spider-Man 4, with Raimi's determination to make the film his way - by casting John Malkovich as the chief bad guy, The Vulture - and avoid a repeat of the Spider-Man 3 disaster, clashing with Sony's desire to go in another direction. Something had to give - and tonight, it did.
At the moment, there's no real information about the reboot's director, while we presume that the search for a new young star to don Maguire's mask won't begin for a while (but already Zac Efron's name is being bandied around).
But Sony will release more news about their plans for a new Spider-Man movie in due course. In the meantime, let us know what you think: is this too early for a reboot? After all, it will have been just five years since Spider-Man 3.
Should Sony have kept Raimi on board? Martin Campbell, for instance, revamped Bond not once, but twice - could Raimi have done the same? And who are your tips for director and star?
The space below is yours, Spidey-fans!