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Elizabeth Banks, who played J. Jonah Jameson’s secretary Betty Brant in “Spider-Man” 1-3, tells CHUD that she’s “the last person they call” in regards to the Spider-Man films.

She says she was originally given the Betty Brant role as kind of a “consolation prize” for losing out on the Mary Jane role, but now does the films as “kind of a favor,” though she doesn’t think the producers see it that way.

Given Banks’ high profile, and the possibility of Kirsten Dunst not returning as Mary Jane, who else would like to see Peter Parker get a chance to date Betty Brant?  She’s a major character in the comics, and Elizabeth Banks could certainly carry a larger role.  Banks also has comic-book cred: She’s producing “The Surrogates,” based on the Top Shelf graphic novel.  She co-stars in Kevin Smith’s ”Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” scheduled for a Halloween release.

– Matt Price

Sam Raimi (AP) 

Everybody saw this over the weekend, I’m sure, but in case we’d like to discuss it here — Nikki Finke reported director Sam Raimi and star Tobey Maguire are on board for Spider-Man 4, and possibly 5, as Sony is considering shooting the two movies concurrently.

What do you guys think?

– Matt Price

Vaneta Rogers at Newsarama talked to several retailers about “Amazing Spider-Man” sales post-”Brand New Day.”

There’s a few names there you should recognize (including mine).  Seems like the general consensus is that “Amazing” three times sells better than “Amazing” and two spinoff titles, but not as well as previous “Amazing” numbers for some.

– Matt Price

Terry Moore of “Strangers in Paradise” fame crafts the all-ages tale of a young Mary Jane Watson in “Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane.”   The title, in its previous incarnation, was written by Sean McKeever, and closely associated with the writer.   However, Moore makes strides in making the series his own in this first issue, drawn by Craig Rousseau (”Perhapanauts”).

Mary Jane is beginning her sophomore year at Midtown High, and we’re introduced to her circle of friends — best friend Liz Allen, jock Flash Thompson, nerd Peter Parker, rival Gwen Stacy, as well as Harry Osborn, who’s on the outs with MJ in this issue.

We also meet a few new characters, including teachers and a drama student who seems likely to factor in this five-issue miniseries.

Spidey barely appears in “Mary Jane.” He opens the book in a dream sequence, then bookends the story at the end.  But it’s clearly Mary Jane’s story, and Moore’s doing a nice job of exploring a high school girl in transition.

– Matt Price

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sony is eyeing a potential “Venom” film, though perhaps without Topher Grace, who played the character in “Spider-Man 3.”

I don’t really think this is the way to go — how do you sell a Venom movie without Spider-Man? I mean, the T-shirts would be cool, but what’s the story? Venom has always worked best in the comics in opposition to Spider-Man.  I’m not sure how well he works off by himself.  And if he IS off by himself, do you make him an anti-hero (like in “Lethal Protector”)?   Do you make him a bad guy, and just figure the audience will stick with you? 

I’d rather see a Spider-Woman movie, if we’re spinning things off.

– Matt Price

Courtesy of Marvel Animation Zone, the cover to the first DVD release of “Spectacular Spider-Man.”  The DVD will be released on Sept. 9.

– Matt Price

From Activision:

Santa Monica CA – July 1, 2008 – The future of New York City will be in gamers’ hands this fall and starting today Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) is allowing them to determine the Spider-Man^™: Web of Shadows package image.  Members of the Spider-Man consumer VIP community can go to www.SeizeControl.com to vote for their favorite videogame package options, all featuring the heroic web-slinger as he prepares to confront a devastated Big Apple.   The consumer control campaign will continue through launch, giving fans the opportunity to vote on various aspects of the Spider-Man: Web of Shadows marketing campaign.

To date, members have already helped Activision cast voice actors for actual roles in the final game, based on auditions that were held at this year’s New York Comic Con.  Voting has also commenced to find the perfect models to portray fan favorites Black Cat and Mary Jane in the Activision booth at San Diego Comic-Con in July.  Fans will continue to have unprecedented control over the campaign with upcoming votes including gifts for pre-sell, gameplay content to be posted on the community website, packaging layout, and more. In development by Shaba Games and Treyarch, Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is scheduled for release this fall and has not yet been rated by the ESRB.  Fans can learn more about Spider-Man: Web of Shadows and the full consumer control campaign details by visiting www.seizecontrol.com.

Kids have it made.

There, I said it. Those little jerks have the life I want to lead. No jobs. No bills. Your mom picks out your clothes for you. (Though, in that way, I guess Matt has it made, too.)

Most of all, no one will look at you funny for reading the Marvel Adventures line of comics. But when you’re almost 30 and you wear the haggard expression of a man who is slowly being murdered by his job, people really look at you funny when you walk to the counter with Marvel Adventures Spider-Man issue 40.

But forget those people, because these comics are FUN. Hey, I like my Vertigo and Ed Brubaker’s Criminal and all the rest, but in the just-plain-a-joy-to-read department, they can’t hold a candle to this stuff.

Take MA: Spider-Man 40 for instance. You’ve got Spidey in high school, stopping muggers and getting rewarded with a kiss from a very unusual damsel in distress. So unusual, in fact, that it turns out she wasn’t in much distress — what with being an immortal God from Asgard.

It’s a hoot as Spidey, somewhat unwillingly, helps her charge the gates of the fabled land and take on some fan faves while taking notes for a report on vikings. And, best of all, it’s a done-in-one story. It’s great to be able to sit down and read a comic cover-to-cover without being in part 3 of a 7-part series for once.

When people talk about how great comics were back when they were kids, these are the comics they were talking about. Throw some praise at writer Marc Sumerak for penning an adult-friendly, kid-approved book. There’s a reason I go back to the Marvel Adventures line again and again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to eat a bag of Lik-M-Aid and pretend this cardboard box is a spaceship.

– Greg Elwell 

Tobey Maguire, AP

The IESB reports that Sony is denying the accuracy of Latino Review’s story naming actors in consideration to play Spider-Man.  That story reported that Patrick Fugit or Michael Angarano could be approached to play Peter Parker.  According to the IESB, the only actor in the running to play Spider-Man at present is incumbent Spidey, Tobey Maguire. 

IESB reports:
According to our sources, that include reps from CAA, Endeavour, ICM, Marvel Studios and Sony,  no actor including Fugit has been approached or even considered for the Peter Parker/Spider-Man role or any other character for that matter.
To take it a step further, head of Media Relations for Sony/Columbia Pictures Steve Elzer told the IESB today that the Fugit story is 100% false and added, “No one is being considered for the role but Tobey. Period.”

Now, it’s possible Tobey Maguire could turn down “Spider-Man 4,” and if that happened, another actor would have to be hired. But as of today, it looks like the plan is to get Tobey to take another turn in the Spidey suit.

– Matt Price