Zodiac's Vanderbilt Hired to Write "Spider-Man 5 and 6"

Zodiac screenwriter James Vanderbilt will have another chance to write for the "Spider-Man" film franchise.

Sony has hired Vanderbilt to write "Spider-Man 5 and 6." Vanderbilt wrote the first draft for "Spider-Man 4," but David Lindsay-Abaire and Gary Ross rewrote the script and cut many of Vanderbilt's ideas.

Many of Vanderbilt's ideas for "Spider-Man 4" will be included in "Spider-Man 5 and 6," including a two-part story line. According to Variety, Sam Raimi "didn't embrace" Vanderbilt's ideas, but Raimi might not be back to direct the next two films.

Raimi is directing the upcoming "World of Warcraft" film, a film that might launch a whole new franchise for Raimi.

Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst are not yet committed to "Spider-Man 5 and 6." If Raimi, Maguire, and Dunst do not return for the films, the "Spider-Man" franchise might be looking at a full reboot.

"Spider-Man 4" will open in theaters in the summer of 2011.