Sam Raimi

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Lore & Background

Raimi directed *Spider-Man* (2002), *Spider-Man 2* (2004), and *Spider-Man 3* (2007). He was hired in 2000 after a development process that began in 1975. The film's visual effects were handled by Sony Pictures Imageworks, and Danny Elfman composed the score. Raimi's trilogy starred Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker and Willem Dafoe as Norman Osborn / Green Goblin.

In Their Own Story

On April 29, 2002, *Spider-Man* premiered at the Fox Westwood Village Theater and the Bruin Theater in Los Angeles. Released in the United States on May 3 by Sony Pictures Releasing, it became the first film to reach $100 million in a single weekend. With a box office gross of $826 million against a $139 million budget, it was the highest-grossing superhero film and third highest-grossing film of 2002.

Reader's Guide

Raimi's *Spider-Man* trilogy began with the 2002 film, followed by *Spider-Man 2* (2004) and *Spider-Man 3* (2007). The film's screenplay was written by David Koepp, with rewrites by Scott Rosenberg and refinements by Alvin Sargent.

Did You Know?

• Sam Raimi was hired to direct *Spider-Man* in 2000, after nearly 25 years of stalled development since 1975.
• The film was the first to reach $100 million in a single weekend at the box office.
• Raimi's trilogy grossed $826 million worldwide against a $139 million budget for the first film.
• Tobey Maguire and Willem Dafoe reprised their roles for *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), linking Raimi's trilogy to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Filming took place in Los Angeles and New York City from January to June 2001.