Marvel may have found a replacement for departing Spider-Man veteran

As Marvel Studios continues to piece the Multiverse Saga together, reports have been claiming that some planned titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been scrapped, while others have been shelved. One that isn't going anywhere, however, is Spider-Man 4.

It's ironic because that movie very nearly didn't happen for other reasons, but Marvel and Sony Pictures managed to work out their differences (with the help of star Tom Holland) and, as a result, it's happening. We don't know exactly when it will come to fruition, but we do know that there will be some changes, particularly that this one is set to launch a new trilogy for the webslinger.

Another change will be the director, as Jon Watts seemingly isn't returning for the new installments. Discussions surrounding his replacement have been constant ever since that news made its way around the internet, and it appears that Marvel might have someone in mind to take over. It's a name that has come up before, and it's a pretty ironic choice.

Marvel reportedly wants Sam Raimi to direct Spider-Man 4

According to insider Daniel Richtman, director Sam Raimi is Marvel Studios' top choice to direct the fourth Spider-Man movie starring Tom Holland. This comes after months of discussions about who could replace Jon Watts in the director's chair and it isn't the first time Raimi's name has come up but it is rather interesting to hear that Marvel would like him to take the reins. It's also pretty ironic given his history with the character.

Raimi may be a horror legend, but he also directed the original Spider-Man trilogy of movies between 2002 and 2007. Those starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson, and they became a pivotal part of the superhero movie legacy, particularly the second, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest sequels ever made.

The director had hoped to step behind the camera to bring a fourth to life in 2011 but Sony switched gears and rebooted the franchise instead, with Andrew Garfield taking over from Maguire as Spider-Man. Both he and Maguire would go on to appear alongside Holland's Spidey in the MCU's Spider-Man: No Way Home. Raimi would also get involved in the MCU, directing 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

There have also been rumors that Marvel is eyeing Raimi to direct Doctor Strange 3, but the likelihood of him doing both that and Spider-Man 4 is slim, as both are expected to be important parts of the MCU's calendar in the next few years. The former is gearing up to be part of the ongoing Multiverse Saga, but there are more question marks around the second. It seems that both Marvel and Sony want to kickstart the new Spider-Man trilogy soon, so it could be a part of the saga too, making it a priority as well. Even the greatest of directors would struggle to direct two movies at once.

While Raimi's name had come up in the conversations about Spider-Man 4 before, recent reports suggested that John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein were the frontrunners to helm the film. The duo know the MCU's Spidey pretty well as they penned 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming, which would also make them exquisite picks.

It's always best to take rumors and reports surrounding Marvel projects with a pinch of salt until confirmed by the studio itself, but I'll admit this particular rumor has been gathering a lot of momentum in recent months, and this new report has only added to that. If Raimi does end up directing Spider-Man 4 it would be pretty ironic considering the movie he never got the chance to direct once had that very same title. Perhaps it's meant to be.