Two more 'Spider-Man' movies likely

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- A Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesman says negotiations are nearly complete with Hollywood star Tobey Maguire for two more "Spider-Man" movies.

Sony spokesman Steve Elzer said the studio is in negotiations with the star of the first three "Spider-Man" installments, along with the movies' director, Sam Raimi, for two encores, The Hollywood Reporter said Friday.

The ongoing negotiations with Maguire come as industry rumors had other actors ready to pull on Spider-Man's tights, but Elzer assured fans Maguire was the studio's "only choice."

"The studio never considered any other actor. Tobey was our only choice and the only person we've discussed the role with," he said.

The two Columbia Pictures movies may be shot back-to-back in 2009 and producer Laura Ziskin says she would like to have "Spider-Man 4" in U.S. theaters by May 2011.

The Reporter said the three previous "Spider-Man" films have been Sony's most profitable franchise, having earned a worldwide total of $2.5 billion.