MovieMantz Rantz: ‘Spider-Man 4’ No More

Oh, what a tangled web they weaved. After three massive hit films featuring everybody’s favorite webslinger, series star Tobey Maguire and director Sam Raimi have parted ways with Sony over “Spider-Man 4.”

As a lifelong fan of the comics and, later, the movies, I was crushed. Both did an amazing job on all three films – even the third one, which is unfairly regarded as the weakest of the series. The biggest problem with “Spider-Man 3” was that it was no “Spider-Man 2,” which is up there with “The Dark Knight,” “Iron Man,” “X2: X-Men United” and the first two “Superman” films as one of the greatest superhero movies of all time.

Yes, “Spider-Man 3” was a very busy movie. It had not one, not two, but three super-villains, so there wasn’t a lot of room for the emotional depth that dignified the second film. But the brilliance – yes, brilliance – of “Spider-Man 3” was that the last act didn’t just wrap up the movie; it wrapped up the entire series.

But critics weren’t kind, and neither were the fans. Despite being the highest grossing film of the series (with $885 million worldwide), reviews were mixed, and fanboys generally hated it. That must have hurt Sam Raimi, a lifelong Spider-Man fan who vowed to do right by the character when he stepped behind the camera for the first movie. And right he did: 2002’s “Spider-Man” was a big hit with critics, moviegoers and fans, while 2004’s “Spider-Man 2” was that rare sequel that improved upon its predecessor in every way.

So after the drubbing he got for 2007’s “Spider-Man 3,” who can blame Raimi for wanting to go out on top with the best Spidey of them all? It’s no secret that he was at odds with the studio over the villains in the third movie. Along with the Sandman, he wanted the Vulture, another classic baddie who first appeared back in 1963 (while John F. Kennedy was still President). But Sony wanted Venom, a modern favorite with younger fans who made his first appearance in 1987. Raimi caved and made a movie he didn’t want to make.

So for “Spider-Man 4,” Raimi again pushed for the Vulture. But once again, the studio wasn’t keen on it. So rather than have history repeat itself by rushing the very expensive movie into production in order to make its May 2011 release date, Raimi decided that stepping away was a better idea.

And with Raimi, “Spider-Man” himself, Tobey Maguire, was out too. They had a good run, but Sony will be hard-pressed to find a better actor to fill Spidey’s shoes. When Maguire was first cast as Peter Parker back in 2001, fans had a field day. But anyone who saw his engaging performances in “The Ice Storm,” “Pleasantville” or “The Cider House Rules” knew that he was as perfectly cast as the sincere, blue-collar kid from Queens as Christopher Reeve was as Clark Kent/Superman.

But with Maguire turning 35 this year, he was probably getting too old to squeeze into the red and blue tights anyway. Besides, Spider-Man’s conflicted alter ego was a more fascinating character while he was still in high school, since own adolescent angst were a stark contrast to his confidence as a superhero.

So while I’m sorry to see Raimi and Maguire go, I’m pleased to hear that the next film will return Peter Parker to high school, so maybe it is time for a new cast and a new director to take the series in a fresh new direction. After all, it worked for James Bond with Daniel Craig, and it worked for last year’s excellent “Star Trek” reboot with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.

But whoever does take over for Raimi and Maguire, let them not forget the big lesson that Spider-Man first learned way back in 1962: With great power comes great responsibility.

CA Appeals Court Overturns Award In Jackson Taping

An appellate court on Monday overturned a $20 million award against a defunct charter jet company for secretly videotaping Michael Jackson and his attorneys during a 2003 flight.

The 2nd District Court of Appeal ruled the amount was excessive, and XtraJet and its owner Jeffrey Borer shouldn’t have to pay it to attorneys Mark Geragos and Pat Harris.

“The amount awarded to the plaintiffs was so great that it shocks the conscience,” the panel wrote in its ruling.

The case was sent back to the trial judge who last March found in favor of the two lawyers.

The panel said a new trial could occur on damages alone unless Geragos and Harris would share a reduced award of $750,000.

Brian Kabateck, an attorney representing Geragos, said he was leaning heavily toward a new trial.

“The judges acknowledge the behavior here was reprehensible,” Kabateck said.

Borer and an associate pleaded guilty to conspiracy two years ago for videotaping Jackson and his lawyers as they flew to the pop star’s surrender on molestation charges. A jury later acquitted Jackson of 14 charges in the case.

Superior Court Judge Soussan Bruguera ordered XtraJet and Borer to pay the amount for invading the privacy of Geragos and Harris in order to sell the video of Jackson to the media.

The appellate court noted in its ruling that Geragos and Harris weren’t severely affected by the contents of the tape because it was never publicly released and didn’t contain any audio that would violate attorney-client privilege.

XtraJet attorney Lloyd Kirschbaum was pleased with the ruling.

“It’s outstanding,” he said. “You can’t be damaged by a tape no one has seen.”

Geragos, Harris and Jackson filed the invasion-of-privacy suit against Borer and XtraJet in November 2003. Jackson dropped out as a plaintiff in April 2005.

First Look: Megan Fox’s Sexy Emporio Armani Debut

Move over David and Victoria Beckham – there’s a new Emporio Armani Fox!

On Tuesday, Megan Fox’s new ad campaigns were unveiled for Emporio Armani Women’s Underwear and Armani Jeans for the label’s Spring/Summer 2010 line.

Megan’s sexy ads, which were shot in LA by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, will start rolling out in February in magazines and billboards in New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Rome, Paris and Tokyo.

“Megan is young and sexy and has a lot of spirit,” Giorgio Armani said in a statement to Access. “Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans are all about a youthful attitude making her the perfect choice for the collections.”

One thing missing from Megan’s ad campaign — the actress’ numerous tattoos. The actress’ extensive ink work, which includes a portrait of Marilyn Monroe on her arm, are not visible in the shots.

Report: Lindsay Lohan’s Car In Paparazzi Accident

A BMW 650 carrying Lindsay Lohan struck a paparazzo around 1 AM on Sunday morning, according to KTLA.

The incident reportedly occurred behind bar and concert venue the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

After the car in question picked up Lindsay and her assistant, the vehicle was reportedly surrounded by members of the papazarri – one of whom the station reported was struck and injured when the car accelerated forward.

The LAPD reportedly confirmed to KTLA that officers did respond to a pedestrian collision.

“I was informed by an officer that a vehicle had sped away at a high rate of speed and hit a paparazzi photographer causing an injury to his hand, his wrist,” Sgt. Vasquez reportedly told KTLA. Authorities do not consider the case a hit-and-run.

According to the station, the paparazzo, a 220 pound male, sustained injuries to his wrist and leg and was treated at the scene, where he spoke to police.

Earlier, Lindsay was spotted wearing all black exiting the club. Adam Lambert was also in attendance, Tweeting on Sunday, “Hotel Cafe was wild last night.”

Fergie & Josh Duhamel Renew Wedding Vows

Almost a year after their wedding, Fergie and Josh Duhamel have renewed their vows, according to Us Weekly.

The couple reportedly embarked to Santa Barbara, Calif., for the private ceremony, held with only the two stars and a minister on Wednesday evening.

“It was a total surprise for Fergie,” a source told the mag.

A source close to the couple described the scene, held at the Bacara Resort & Spa, as “really romantic, great views of the Pacific, sunset ceremony.”

Following the 15-minute ceremony, the two shared a private dinner at the resort’s Miro restaurant, exiting before the dinner crowd arrived to head back to LA.

The two wed in Malibu one year ago, on January 10, 2009.

Last year, just months after their marriage, the pair battled tabloid rumors of Josh’s infidelity, which they both denied.

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean Proposes On Stage

AJ McLean is engaged, according to E! Online.

The site reported that the Backstreet Boy proposed to girlfriend Rochelle Deanna Karidis on Friday night at his Las Vegas solo concert, where the star took the stage on the eve of his birthday and brought out his lucky lady.

“He brought Rochelle up to the middle of the stage, stops the music and proposed. She said yes and the crowd went crazy,” a source told the site.

The singer reportedly purchased a diamond ring at Rocks inside the Hard Rock Hotel that night.

The newly engaged pair will celebrate AJ’s birthday and their wedding-to-be at the Hard Rock’s club, Vanity.

As for AJ’s band, the Backstreet Boys released a new album last fall, with a greatest hits disc, “Playlist: The Very Best of the Backstreet Boys,” due in stores on January 26.

Jackson Confidant Jack Wishna Opens Up About Michael & The Tour That Never Was

In 2006, Michael Jackson was buzzing in an interview in Ireland with Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush as he worked on some music — but just weeks later, Jackson left Ireland for Las Vegas, convinced to do so by his good friend Jack Wishna. And today, Wishna, the Jackson confidante, is opening up.

“It was December 23rd 2006, it was the day before Christmas Eve and we arranged it where a private jet would pick Michael Jackson up in Dublin, Ireland, and take him directly to Las Vegas,” Wishna said in an interview for Access Hollywood and Las Vegas television station KVBC with correspondent Alicia Jacobs.

And Wishna revealed the vision he shared with Jackson.

“When he came off that plane, it was the old Michael Jackson of the ‘Bad Tour,’ type thing, it was the Michael Jackson that I grew up with,” he said.

And although Jackson’s use of prescription drugs became big news after his death, Wishna said he never saw any of that kind of stuff around.

“Never saw any drugs,” Wishna said. “Never saw any intravenous, or needles or anything like that. Never met any doctors around Michael.”

Naming their project “Rock City,” Jackson was going to be required to perform just three days a month.

But once he was settled into his new home with his children and the comeback collaboration was underway, Wishna said Jackson’s behavior turned erratic.

“As he stayed in Las Vegas, he started to get debilitated while he was here and debilitated from a mental health standpoint, debilitated from a physical standpoint,” Wishna said.

“The family started to, you know, bother him again… His father Joe. It just started – a lot of the weirdness started to come back,” he continued.

Wishna said he often had to conduct damage control, especially after one night when Jackson watched a fight, incognito in a wheelchair.

“My phone rings… It’s The Associated Press and the person on the other end of the phone says Jack, ‘What do you know about Michael being in a wheelchair last night with a coat over his head and sunglasses over his coat,” Wishna recounted. “If you say, ‘Michael, why did you do that?’ That’s the way he wanted to go out and if he wanted to go out that way, that’s the way he wanted to go out.”

Eventually, Wishna came to the decision that the negative publicity surrounding Jackson’s antics were detrimental to the success of “Rock City.”

“This was probably about June of 2007 and I said, ‘Michael, I think we should shelve it. I think we should put it on the shelf, come back to it when you are’ — these are the words that I used – ‘mentally, physically, and vocally capable of being a part of this project,’” he explained.

Wishna was both right and wrong. As the world discovered from “This Is It,” Michael’s vocals and dance moves were at the top of his game, but his drug abuse tragically sabotaged it all.

“I believe Michael was troubled every single day of his life,” Wishna said. “I believe that contributed to his untimely death.”