'Spider-Man 4' Screenwriter To Rewrite And Direct 'Venom' Movie?

Variety is reporting that Columbia Pictures is in talks with Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit," "Pleasantville") to direct and rewrite the upcoming "Venom" solo film. Ross’ name is not new to Sony and their Spider-Man-related flicks however, as back in July he was brought in to make rewrites on the "Spider-Man 4" script.

The report states that Ross will begin work rewriting the Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick screenplay after the fourth Spidey installment finishes. Reese and Wernick are two names you'll recognize as writers of the recently released box-office topper "Zombieland." I'm guessing that Ross is working off of their script in order to tweak it for the studio and potentially get it ready for him to direct. The film will probably be a fresh start for the villainous character and the lead actor will most likely be recast (sorry Topher Grace).

I have no idea what to expect from a "Venom" solo film but I can’t believe that it can match anywhere near the success of any of the "Spider-Man" movies. The character simply doesn’t have that mass appeal and after what happened with Venom in "Spider-Man 3," I don’t know where they go from here. Unless of course they cross-over with Spider-Man…

My prediction is that after "Spider-Man 4," Maguire, Raimi and the rest of the existing crew will leave the franchise, giving room for Sony’s planned 5th and 6th installments which are currently being written by James Vanderbilt to act as a franchise restart if needed. That would allow them to tie the new take on "Venom" with the new start of Spider-Man, allowing them to do it the right way this time.

What do you think about the "Venom" project and what would you like to see from it? Do you think it’ll tie-in at all with "Spider-man 4" or the following two sequels?

"Spider-Man 4" opens May 6, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, MTV News, Rope of Silicon, First Showing