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Long before the release of The Amazing Spider-Man, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced May 2, 2014 as the release date for the as-yet-untitled sequel. Marc Webb will return to the director's chair and Andrew Garfield has been confirmed to once again wear the mask and web shooters. Emma Stone will also be returning as Gwen Stacy. Other than that, here are some of the rumors and news bits surrounding the sequel: Production James Vanderbilt, who wrote this year's reboot, was contracted to write the sequel. However, Sony has also contracted Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Transformers) and Jeff Pinkner (Fringe, Lost) to rewrite Vanderbilt's draft. Filming has supposedly begun this month in London. Casting J. K. Simmons has expressed interest in reprising his role as J. Jonah Jameson from the Sam Raimi trilogy. Like there's anyone else who can play that role perfectly. Shailene Woodley (Amy in The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Alexandra in The Descendants) will play Mary Jane Watson, but in a very small role before getting more screen time on the third film. At least it's not Kirsten Dunst anymore. Jamie Foxx (Ray, Django Unchained) has been confirmed to play the villain Max Dillon/Electro. Dane DeHaan (Jesse in In Treatment, Andrew in Chronicle) was confirmed by Webb to play Harry Osborn. No word on Norman Osborn and whether or not Willem Dafoe will reprise his role from the Sam Raimi trilogy. According to Webb, Martin Sheen will reprise his role as Ben Parker - most likely in flashback scenes. Denis Leary had joked in one of the Blu-ray documentaries about making a petition to return in the sequel as Capt. George Stacy. More news to come in the next few months. Links Sony Dates Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Andrew Garfield and Director Marc Webb Return for Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci to Re-Write Sequel to Amazing Spider-Man Amazing Spider-Man 2: Should J. K. Simmons Return as J. Jonah Jameson? Shailene Woodley in Talks for Amazing Spider-Man Sequel Exclusive: Spider-Man Villain Jamie Foxx Reveals Major Origin Details Meet Harry Osborn

The Muppets Walt Disney Pictures, 2011 Directed by James Bobin (Da Ali G Show, Flight of the Conchords) Based upon characters from The Muppet Show created by Jim Henson (1936-1990) Running Time: 103 minutes Rated PG for some crude humor. It's time to play the music, It's time to light the lights, It's time to meet the Muppets on The Muppet Show tonight... Cast Jason Segel (Jason in Knocked Up, Peter in Forgetting Sarah Marshall) as Gary Amy Adams (Lois Lane in Man of Steel, Charlene in The Fighter) as Mary Chris Cooper (Alexander Conklin in The Bourne Identity, John Larouche in Adaptation) as Tex Richman Rashida Jones (Karen in The Office, Marylin in The Social Network) as Veronica Jack Black (as if nobody here knows him...) as Himself (uncredited) Muppets Peter Linz as Walter Steve Whitmire as Kermit the Frog, Beaker, Statler, Rizzo the Rat, Link Hogthrob and The Muppet Newsman Eric Jacobson as Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Animal, Sam the Eagle and Marvin Suggs Dave Goelz as Gonzo the Great, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beauregard, Waldorf and Kermoot the Frog Bill Barretta as The Swedish Chef, Rowlf the Dog, Dr. Teeth, Pepe the King Prawn, Bobo the Bear, Foozie Bear, Behemoth, Mahna Mahna, Whatnot Farmer and Gary's Muppet form David Rudman as Janice, Scooter and Miss Poogy Matt Vogel as Floyd Pepper, Camilla the Chicken, Sweetums, '80s Robot, Lew Zealand, Uncle Deadly, Roowlf the Dog, Janoose and Crazy Harry Tyler Bunch as Thog Alice Dinnean as Afghan Hound Cameos Alan Arkin (Bill in Edward Scissorhands, Peevy in The Rocketeer) as the Muppet Studios Tour Guide Emily Blunt (Emily in The Devil Wears Prada, Elise in The Adjustment Bureau) as Miss Piggy's Receptionist Bill Cobbs (Zachary Lamb in Demolition Man) as the Grandfather viewer Feist (Canadian singer/songwriter) as a Smalltown resident Zach Galifianakis (Alan in The Hangover I-II, Humpty Dumpty in Puss in Boots) as Hobo Joe Donald Glover (Troy in Community) as a CDE executive Whoopi Goldberg (like no one's heard of her...) as Herself Selena Gomez (Mikayla in Hannah Montana, Alex in Wizards of Waverly Place) as Herself Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters vocalist/band leader) as Animool Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, M.D., Himself in the Harold & Kumar series) as Himself Judd Hirsch (Julius in Independence Day) as Himself Ken Jeong (Leslie in The Hangover I- II, Jerry Wang in Transformers: Dark of the Moon) as the "Punch Teacher" host John Krasinski (Jim in The Office) as Himself Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory) as Walter's human form Rico Rodriguez (Manny in Modern Family) as Himself Mickey Rooney (I. Y. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's) as a Smalltown resident Kristen Schaal (Mel in Flight of the Conchords) as the Anger Management group moderator Sarah Silverman (Saturday Night Live) as the Restaurant greeter It's time to put on make-up, It's time to dress up right, It's time to get things started, Why don't you get things started? It's time to get things started on the most sensational Inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational This is what we call our Muppet Show! Synopsis Walter fulfills his childhood dream when he, Gary and Mary travel to Los Angeles to visit the Muppet Studios, only to find it in a derelict condition. And when they find out that oil baron Tex Richman has purchased the studios with the intent of demolishing it and drilling for oil underneath, they must get Kermit the Frog to regroup the old gang and host a telethon to raise $10 million to save their home. Lowdown It's great to be a Muppet fan again. The Muppets is not only the first Muppet film in over 12 years, it celebrates the 35th anniversary of The Muppet Show. And what a triumphant return! Just about every Muppet you grew up with is back, and they're as wacky as ever. Many of their characteristics are still intact as if the last episode of The Muppet Show (which aired in 1981) was just yesterday. Even The Muppet Telethon opening number is spot-on to the original show's iconic sequence. And even though Walter is the newest Muppet, he really holds his ground as the film's lead Muppet. Another big plus is, as with all Muppet features, the music. You can't help but sing along to the musical numbers - even the ever-cheesy Starship song "We Built This City". And the Muppet Barbershop Quartet's rendition of Nirvana's "Smell's Like Teen Spirit" is priceless. Of course, this film wouldn't be complete without new performances of the landmark Muppet songs "Rainbow Connection" and "Mah Na Mah Na". But perhaps the main showstopper is the Oscar-winning song "Man or Muppet" by Gary and Walter. Yes, the Muppets are great as usual, but how about the human actors? Jason Segel and Amy Adams deliver a great performance, even though Adams is not as cute as she was in her previous films. Chris Cooper doesn't do much as the film's villain, but even for such a cheesy role, he is one villain you'd love to hate. Jack Black's uncredited appearance really brings down the house as the Muppets kidnap him and torture him with their skits. The cameo list is a who's who of stars from yesterday and today, including Sheldon Cooper as Walter's human form in the "Man or Muppet" segment. In short, The Muppets is not only a big love letter to long-time Muppet fans, but also one of the best family films of this century. Rating: A Links The Muppets Official Homepage References The Internet Movie Database