It’s
not every day that we get to break a massive scoop such as this, but
after checking with 3 different sources at the studio (I will not
name names!), JoBlo.com can announce that actor Jake Gyllenhaal
will be replacing Tobey Maguire in the next SPIDER-MAN movie,
tentatively scheduled for release for summer 2010. Jake has been
meeting with Sony execs for the past few weeks, and apparently
agreed to take on the role, after Maguire said that he was
“moving on” from the part. No word on whether or not Sam
Raimi will continue on as the director, but he will definitely be
producing the film, and developing its storyline which will
apparently be delving further into the Venom storyline, as well as
the Lizard or possibly Electro.

Some of you might’ve seen Gyllenhaal
walking around with a bum leg last week, which was apparently from a
couple of stunt sessions that he was going through with the trainers
for the movie. It was just a mild sprain, but apparently the
filmmakers said that he was “built like a champ” and could
easily take over the role from Maguire, who almost relayed the role
to Gyllenhaal back in 2003, after the former actor was apparently
having back problems whilst renegotiating his contract. According to
our sources, Gyllenhaal has already spoken to a few different
directors about helming the fourth picture, tentatively titled
SPIDER-MAN STRIKES BACK, including his friend Sam Mendes, who
directed him in the underrated JARHEAD, as well as Blair Hayes, an
apparent comic book freak, who helped Gyllenhaal negotiate his way
through BUBBLE BOY back in 2001.

I’m
personally very happy about this news because I think Maguire was a
little “played out” as Parker at this point, but I’m even
happier about the news that Kirsten Dunst will most likely not be
returning as Mary Jane, since she and Gyllenhaal had a tumultuous
real-life relationship that ended badly, but also because apparently
she also wants to “move on” (great move, honey!). For now,
rumors are still swerving about who might take over the coveted role
as Spidey’s main squeeze including hottie extraordinaire Megan Fox,
one of Jake’s good friends Natalie Portman, or even an inspired
choice (in my opinion), Maggie Gyllenhaal — Jake’s sister in real
life.

Jake once said that he would “love
to make out with my sister…but only for a movie, of course“,
so this would be the ideal circumstance to do so. Also, Maggie just
finished her role as Batman’s main squeeze in THE DARK KNIGHT, so
God knows she’s likely to want to keep that “comic book hero
girlfriend” thing going for years to come. That said, I
personally would rather see her do a sequel to the very awesome
SECRETARY, but maybe that’s just me.

Jake has apparently been
vying for the role of Peter Parker since the series began and once
called Maguire a “f*ckin’ shrimp” when asked about how he
felt about his fellow actor’s chops as the Webhead. “I
always thought that Maguire was overrated as an actor, except for
his role in WONDER BOYS, in which he played a great gay guy, but
other than that, the dude looks depressed in pretty much everything
he does.” The studio is now fast-tracking the next
installment of the SPIDER-MAN series, despite many negative reviews
for SPIDER-MAN 3, and is apparently considering hiring Akiva
Goldsman as the screenwriter or McG as the director (unless Brett
Ratner is available).

Gyllenhaal is said to be
thrilled with the news and when JoBlo.com contacted him this past
weekend, he even admitted that what he’s really looking forward to
is the “spidey groupie tail” that apparently comes with
the gig. Gyllenhaal also gave our site a little shout-out and said,
“If it wasn’t for sites like JoBlo.com that keep the movie
geeks informed about the day-to-day minutiae of our lives, this
wouldn’t be possible, so if you or any of your staff wants to come
on set for a handjob by a hot extra or even a half-hot grip…just
drop me a line and I’ll set you up.“

You know what, Mr.
Spider-Man, we may just take you up on that! But only after
announcing this year’s April Fool’s fake story, which is the one you
just read. Oh, and for
our past April Fool’s Day stories, click on the links below, and
remember to use the EMAIL THIS STORY TO A FRIEND link below
to send this hot scoop to your buddies as well. Cheers!

April 1^st,
2007: Brad Pitt
quits acting
April 1^st, 2006: Wonder
Woman Cast!
April 1^st, 2005: Fincher
directs Ei8ht?
April 1^st, 2004: Alan
Cumming weds Keanu Reeves!


April 1^st, 2003: Zeta-Jones
divorces Michael Douglas!


April 1^st, 2002: Cruise
and Kidman get back together!