From worstpreviews, We already know that Sam Raimi left "Spider-Man 4" because of script problems, but NY Mag is reporting that it was much more than that.
Production insiders have revealed that Raimi was so impressed with James Cameron's "Avatar" that he decided to add similar effects to his movie. But since such work requires a lot more money and time, Sony Pictures was forced to refuse his request. I guess that's where all those 3D rumors came from.
"Every movie is a power struggle," explains one producer on the Sony lot. "But the tipping point was that Sam wanted to do certain things that would push the envelope in terms of [special effects] and other visual stimulation, and Sony didn't feel that was essential to the franchise."
The studio was also thinking about marketing and toy sales. And since Raimi wanted a cheesy 60-year-old villain (Vulture) in the film, both Sony and Hasbro just didn't see a way to make this work.
And apparently the script problems weren't just about which villain to use. Raimi was championing a story line that's just plain ridiculous and extremely familiar. Here is how NY Mag described the plot of the now-dead "Spider-Man 4":
"Peter Parker gets over MJ, finds a new girl, falls in love. But: Peter also discovers her father is actually the Vulture, a naughty green guy with wings to be played by John Malkovich. Peter is torn between the love of his new lady and taking down the Vulture. Being a Spandex tight-ass, he decides to take down the Vulture, and kills him. This patricide goes down poorly with Peter’s new fiancee, and she rejects him. Despondent, Peter decides to abandon his superpowers, and Movie No. 4 ends with Peter Parker throwing away his Spider-Man mask, and audiences wondering if they are watching Superman II."
