Sony announced that Marc Webb will reprise his directing duties for "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" and that Andrew Garfield will also return as the titular character, according to a report on Variety. Emma Stone is currently in negotiation to reprise her role as Spider-Man's love interest Gwen Stacy.
Webb's involvement had been in question and the director expressed in interview with the Huffingtonpost that he was unsure if he wanted to return to the film franchise.
"I want to finish this up and go to a beach and think about the future," Webb said told the Huffingtonpost. "People ask about the sequel and I'm like, 'Well, you know, I don't know if I want to do that, but I love the process.' I love Andrew and Emma. But it's like asking someone who has just given birth, 'Do you want to get pregnant again?'"
The studio also wasn't sure if he would be available for the film due to a previous obligation with Fox's Searchlight movie studios.
"We'd really like him back, but there are obstacles," Sony Pictures chief Douglas Belgrad told The Hollywood Reporter. "He has an obligation to Fox." Webb is still under contract with Fox Searchlight to direct another film. Some site have reports that indicate that Webb might have agreed to making two additional films for Searchlight if they would allow him to direct "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
Star Andrew Garfield will also be returning to play Spider-Man, while the studio says Emma Stone is in talks to reprise her role as Gwen Stacy.
Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci wrote the screenplay along with Jeff Pinkner. Their draft is based on a previous draft by writer James Vanderbilt. Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach will produce the film.
"We could not be more confident in the direction we are taking this new Spider-Man storyline and we are tremendously excited to be ramping up production again with Marc at the helm and Andrew continuing on as Peter Parker. We can't wait to share what we have in store for Peter and Spider-Man with audiences worldwide," said Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of production for the studio, in a statement.
"The Amazing Spider-Man" has earned a worldwide total of $748,974,838 and will be released on Nov. 9, for DVD and Blu-ray. "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" is set for theatrical release in 3D on May 2, 2014. Check out our pick of the top five Spider-Man video games here.