Raimi: 'Spider-Man script due by summer'

Sam Raimi has said that the script for the upcoming Spider-Man 4 should be completed by the summer.

The director told SCI FI Wire that the blockbuster sequel is being kept to a tight release schedule by its producers.

Raimi said: "Right now, David Lindsay-Abaire is working on a draft of the new picture. And he's hard at work, and hopefully we'll see something in about three months. We have to make the release date.

"On all of these pictures, the Spider-Man films - and I'm sure it's the same as with many of the other bigger-budgeted films - they have release dates far in advance of a screenplay."

He added: "I'm not at liberty to discuss the villains yet. It'd really be up to Sony Pictures and the producers to determine when they want to release that information.

"To them, it's usually a big, a big, big thing, a big moment where they want to present the villain with the proper respect or fear that he or she deserves."

Raimi said that he plans to reassemble the main cast from the previous three movies but all such decisions will depend on the script.