Marc Webb takes the helm on rebooted Spider-Man

Webb will direct from James Vanderbilt’s screenplay and will work closely with producers Avi Arad and Laura Ziskin to develop the project.

Production is set to begin later this year in time for a summer 2012 release, Columbia and Marvel Studios announced today.

“At its core, Spider-Man is a small, intimate human story about an everyday teenager that takes place in an epic super-human world,” Sony Pictures Entertainment co-chairman Amy Pascal said. “The key for us as we sought a new director was to identify film-makers who could give sharp focus to Peter Parker’s life… We believe Marc Webb is the perfect choice to bring us on that journey.”

“Marc Webb will do for the new direction of the films what so many visionary storytellers have done with the comic books,” Arad and Ziskin added in a joint statement. “He is an incredibly talented film-maker and we look forward to working closely with him on this new adventure.”

“I am signing on not to ‘take over’ from Sam [Raimi],” Webb said. “That would be impossible. Not to mention arrogant. I’m here because there’s an opportunity for ideas, stories, and histories that will add a new dimension, canvas, and creative voice to Spider-Man.”

“The idea of re-imagining the on-screen story for one of the world’s most iconic superheros is sure to deliver an exciting new dimension to Spider-Man fans everywhere,” Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said. “There are volumes of comics and material available to inspire fresh and compelling takes on Peter Parker and his journey as Spidey and we look forward to seeing this come alive onscreen.”

Last week Raimi and Tobey Maguire exited the franchise after Raimi expressed concern that the script would not be ready in time for a May 2011 release. Columbia had the Vanderbilt screenplay ready and moved quickly.