Vanderbilt to script 'Spider-Man' flicks

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. screenwriter James Vanderbilt has signed on to write the fifth and sixth installments in the "Spider-Man" film franchise, Variety.com reported Monday.

Vanderbilt penned the first version of the fourth movie, which is slated to go into production early next year for a 2011 release. It was re-written by David Lindsay-Abaire, and then revised again by Gary Ross when director Sam Raimi and Sony Pictures wanted to take the flick in another direction, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Vanderbilt also wrote "The Losers" and "Zodiac."