Third Spider-Man film under way

The first Spider-Man film broke box office records and earned $800m (£440m) when it hit cinemas in 2002. The second installment, which reportedly cost $200m (£109m) to make, is being released around the globe this July.

The first two Spider-Man films have been directed by Sam Raimi and starred Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

Based on the Marvel Comics character, Spider-Man could become one of the most successful film series in box office history. The first film holds the record for the most ticket money spent in a film's opening weekend in the US. Film fans spent $115m ($63m) in its first three days. Its final haul of $800m puts it seventh in the box office hits of the decade--behind all three Lord of the Rings movies, both Harry Potter films and Finding Nemo.