The actor and director are said to be close to locking in a deal to return for the fourth and fifth installments of the studio's top-grossing franchise. The first three "Spider-Man" films have grossed $2.5 billion worldwide.

In hopes of containing costs, Columbia is considering shooting the films back-to-back starting in fall 2009, much like New Line did with "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which filmed simultaneously for 274 days.

Producer Laura Ziskin had said she would like to aim for a May 2011 release for "Spider-Man 4," nine years after the original movie's debut. Jamie Vanderbilt ("Zodiac") is writing the screenplay.

Although there has been speculation whether Maguire would return to play Peter Parker, the studio said there was no question he would be back.

"The studio never considered any other actor. Tobey was our only choice and the only person we've discussed the role with," Sony spokesman Steve Elzer said.

The studio declined comment on which villains might appear in the next two films or whether Kirsten Dunst would reprise her role as Mary Jane Watson.

Sony also has stepped up development of the "Spider-Man" spin-off "Venom," first recruiting writer Jacob Estes to draft a script and recently bringing in scribes Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, who penned "Zombieland" for the studio.

Topher Grace played Venom in "Spider-Man 3," but it's unclear whether Sony would cast him for the "Venom" feature or bring in new talent.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter