With a script near completion, and Sam Raimi once again interested in directing, it seems as a fourth Spider-Man movie is becoming more likely, according to reports in the Los Angeles Times.

The paper reports that Spider-Man producer Laura Ziskin told cinema owners from California and Nevada that she and Sony Pictures were "hopeful" that Spider-Man could be "ready in three years time". Sony recently renewed their rights to the character with Marvel.

None of the lead actors, including Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, has yet signed on to a further sequel, although recent comments would indicate that both might be interested if sufficient time elapses between Spider-Man 3 and 4.

A May 2011 release would put Spider-Man 4 in competition with The First Avenger: Captain America and the final Harry Potter movie.