Maguire out of 'Spider-Man 4'

Tobey Maguire is out as Peter Parker and Sam Raimi won't be returning as director when "Spider-Man 4" hits theatres a year late in 2012.

Sony Pictures said in a statement the movie was supposed to hit theatres in 2011 but has not yet gone into production amid rumours of trouble on the set.

Raimi said his work on the previous "Spider-Man" films was the experience of a lifetime, but acknowledged the studio was heading in a "new direction."

Sony said it would have more news about "Spider-Man 4" in coming weeks.

The new movie will be based on a script by James Vanderbilt that focuses on Peter Parker in high school.