AceShowbiz - Destin Daniel Cretton, who previously directed "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" for Marvel Studios, is in early negotiations to direct "Spider-Man 4" for Sony Pictures. Cretton will replace Jon Watts, who directed the previous three installments in the Tom Holland-led franchise.

The script is being written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and plot details are currently undisclosed. Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios chief, and Amy Pascal, former Sony head, will produce the film.

The last Spidey film, "Spider-Man: No Way Home," released in December 2021, grossed nearly $2 billion worldwide despite being released during the pandemic. Holland and Zendaya, who starred in the film, are also in talks to return to the franchise.

Holland has expressed interest in continuing his role as Peter Parker, but has stated that his decision will depend on the quality of the project. He has said, "I won't make another one for the sake of making another one. It will have to be worth the while of the character."

Cretton was initially attached to direct "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" for Marvel Studios but withdrew due to scheduling conflicts and a legal case involving actor Jonathan Majors. He remains attached to direct episodes of "Wonder Man" for Disney+ and a live-action adaptation of "Naruto."

Sources report that "Spider-Man 4" is progressing rapidly and is scheduled to begin filming early next year. It remains to be seen how the film will resolve the aftermath of "No Way Home," which ended with the world forgetting that Peter Parker was Spider-Man.