Third Spider-Man film 'under way'

The first Spider-Man film was a box office smash

A third Spider-Man movie has started to be made - before the sequel to the hero's original blockbuster has even been released, according to a report.

Spider-Man 3 is in development and is expected to be released in 2006 or 2007, industry magazine Variety said.

The first Spider-Man film broke box office records and earned $800m (£440m) when it hit cinemas in 2002.

The second instalment, which reportedly cost $200m (£109m) to make, is being released around the globe this July.

Variety reported that film studio Sony confirmed the work on Spider-Man 3 - but no script has been written and the director and stars have not signed up.

Stars

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.