The success of The Amazing Spider-Man has paved the way for Sony to turn the film into a trilogy. This could not have happened if it wasn’t for director Marc Webb. Of course Webb is expected to return to his post to direct its sequel, but since he owes Fox – the studio that helped finance and distribute (500) Days of Summer – one more film, that he may not be able to direct The Amazing Spider-Man 2.

Now comes word that Fox may be willing to let Webb make the Spidey sequel … for a price.

We previously reported that the one thing that was standing between Webb and him directing a Spider-Man sequel was his commitment to Fox. Sony already hired Star Trek screenwriters Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci to polish the draft James Vanderbilt penned and all they were waiting for was its director to come back.

But Sony can’t stall on their decision any longer, because they have scheduled to release The Amazing Spider-Man 2 in the spring of 2014. However, Fox is reportedly willing to look past their agreement and let the director make The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but only if Webb can return the favor by giving them two films instead of one.

It’s quite an offer for the filmmaker. On one hand Webb would be tied to do double the amount of work for Fox, but he would still be given the chance to work on the sequel to The Amazing Spider-Man. Most directors don’t like being shackled to a studio for so long, but on the flip side it would give Webb more than enough time to flesh out the story of Peter Parker and the mystery behind the death of his parents.

On the other hand, he could avoid directing two films for Fox and direct his contractually obligated one film by letting Sony find another director. But Sony wants Webb to come back to direct the sequel.

One project that Webb could direct for Fox Searchlight is a dark, futuristic bio-thriller titled Age of Rage from Mark Heyman, the writer of Black Swan. Although the film has been under development for some time now, Heyman has said that the script isn’t ready yet.

Despite Sony’s desire to have Webb come back, they need to make a decision soon, as they have scheduled The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to be released on May 2, 2014.

Should Webb come back to direct The Amazing Spider-Man 2 or should Sony just move on and find another director?

[Source: LA Times]