Comingsoon.net is reporting that while Sam Raimi, nor any of the cast have been signed to the project, Sony did renew the film rights with Marvel. Reportedly James Vanderbilt (Zodiac) has been tapped to write the script and a release date has been set for May 2011.
Interestingly, Sony has tentatively set Spidey’s release date to concur with Marvel’s tentative release date for The First Avenger: Captain America setting the stage for two Marvel heroes to fight it out at the box office. When considering the fact that Cap’s release date has been public knowledge for some time now, it begs the question what the rational is behind Sony’s decision.
Despite how many fans feel about Spiderman’s last installment, Sony is swinging a big club. The worldwide box office take for the three movies was $2.496 billion. Opposite that, you have the already building anticipation for Captain America, coupled with Marvel’s unparalleled ability for crossover marketing. When you bring all these factors together you have the makings for cinematic Ragnarok.