Production hasn’t even started on Spider-Man 4 and already Variety is reporting that the higher-ups have re-hired James Vanderbilt to pen the script for Spider-Man 4 & 5, which would have a connected story line. If you remember, Vanderbilt was actually snagged to write Spider-Man 4, and he turned in a draft, but it seems as if Raimi didn’t agree with everything in the script.

Vanderbilt was the first writer on “Spider-Man 4.” Director Sam Raimi brought on “Rabbit Hole” playwright David Lindsay-Abaire to rewrite him, and Gary Ross is now rewriting that script. The studio is enthusiastic about where it stands as the picture begins prepping for an early 2010 production start for a May 2011 release.

Raimi didn’t embrace all of Vanderbilt’s ideas, but execs at Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios have. Vanderbilt has been hired to pen the fifth and sixth movies, which have an interconnected storyline. That’s what was originally discussed when Vanderbilt signed on to write “Spider-Man 4,” but the idea of shooting a fourth and fifth film back to back with the original cast was scrapped.

Sources said it was unclear whether Raimi, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will be back. If they aren’t, Vanderbilt’s script would be the blueprint for a franchise reboot…

That last little bit is especially interesting. I know this is how things go in Hollywood, jumping the gun for projects who’s predecessors haven’t even began production yet… but still… it’s awfully early to be talking about 5 & 6 and reboots already, don’t ya think?

You can check out the full article via the Variety link above.