<P> Spider - Man 3 picks up one year after the events of the second film . Peter is still seeing Mary Jane Watson, while Harry Osborn succeeds his father as the new Green Goblin . Eddie Brock (Topher Grace), who like Peter is a photographer for the Daily Bugle, sets out to defame Spider - Man and incriminate him . Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), an escaped convict, falls into a particle accelerator and becomes a shape - shifting sand monster later known as Sandman . Peter later learns that Marko is the one that killed Uncle Ben, causing Peter's own dark intentions to grow . This vendetta is enhanced by the appearance of the mysterious black alien symbiotic substance that bonds to Peter, resulting in the formation of a new black costume . Once Peter separates himself from the alien, it finds a new host in the form of Brock, resulting in the creation of Venom . </P> <P> In 2008, Spider - Man 4 entered development, with Raimi attached to direct and Maguire, Dunst and other cast members set to reprise their roles . Both a fourth and a fifth film were planned and at one time the idea of shooting the two sequels concurrently was under consideration . However, Raimi stated in March 2009 that only the fourth film was in development at that time and that if there were fifth and sixth films, those two films would actually be a continuation of each other . James Vanderbilt was hired in October 2007 to pen the screenplay after initial reports in early 2007 that Sony Pictures was in contact with David Koepp, who wrote the first Spider - Man film . The script was being rewritten by Gary Ross in October 2009 . Sony also engaged Vanderbilt to write scripts for Spider - Man 5 and Spider - Man 6 . </P> <P> In 2008, Raimi expressed interest in portraying the transformation of Dr. Curt Connors into his villainous alter - ego, the Lizard; the character's actor Dylan Baker and producer Grant Curtis were also enthusiastic about the idea . Raimi also discussed his desire to upgrade Bruce Campbell from a cameo appearance to a significant role, later revealed to be Quentin Beck / Mysterio . It was reported in December 2009 that John Malkovich was in negotiations to play Vulture and that Anne Hathaway would play Felicia Hardy, though she would not have transformed into the Black Cat as in the comics . Instead, Raimi's Felicia was expected to become a new superpowered figure called the Vulturess . However, several years later, in 2013, Raimi stated that Hathaway was going to be Black Cat if Spider - Man 4 had been made . Concept art revealed in June 2016 showed the inclusion of an opening montage of Spider - Man going up against C and D - list villains, such as Mysterio, the Shocker, the Prowler, and the Rhino, with the Vulture serving as the main antagonist . </P> <P> As disagreements between Sony and Raimi threatened to push the film off the intended May 6, 2011 release date, Sony Pictures announced in January 2010 that plans for Spider - Man 4 had been cancelled due to Raimi's withdrawal from the project . Raimi reportedly ended his participation due to his doubt that he could meet the planned May 6, 2011 release date while at the same time upholding the film creatively; he admitted that he was "very unhappy" with the way Spider - Man 3 had turned out, and was under pressure to make the fourth film the best that he could . Raimi purportedly went through four iterations of the script with different screenwriters and still "hated it". </P>

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