Official Synopsis for The Amazing Spider-Man, plus new toy reveals

Courtesy of Columbia Pictures, the official synopsis for THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN rolls in with a pretty insightful wrap up of what to expect story-wise. Take a gander and meet me at the end and we’ll discuss. Sound good?

One of the world’s most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

“The Amazing Spider-Man” is the story of Peter Parker (Garfield), an outcast high schooler who was abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben (Sheen) and Aunt May (Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. Peter is also finding his way with his first high school crush, Gwen Stacy (Stone), and together, they struggle with love, commitment, and secrets. As Peter discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to Oscorp and the lab of Dr. Curt Connors (Ifans), his father’s former partner. As Spider-Man is set on a collision course with Connors’ alter-ego, The Lizard, Peter will make life-altering choices to use his powers and shape his destiny to become a hero.

All right, we’re back.  So, it looks like they’re really trying to make this reboot “new” by involving Peter Parker’s parents.  They’ve done this in the comics as well with mixed results.  So, what are the key points to take away? 

• The Lizard/Curt Conners was Peter Parker’s father’s “lab partner” at Oscorp. 
• Gwen Stacy is “some sorta smart bug” who works at the same lab. 
• Everything hinges on a mysterious suitcase (i.e. cheap McGuffin)

I have to wonder if we’ll see a Harry Osborn cameo, seeing as Oscorp is featured in the film.  I doubt we’ll see any kind of Mary Jane reference, but you never know.

Also, we have some more useless toys, every bit as ridiculous as the last batch.  Below you will find some truly epic…Spider-Man swimming toys.  Take Spidey and the Lizard to the pool!  Hooray! It’s the first reveal of a “full body” shot of The Lizard and it’s what it is.  

Look, I get it, I have a kid and he is inundated with all of the pop culture toys you could dream of, but there’s a limit.  I don’t see why we can’t have some more relevant products.  THE AVENGERS and THE DARK KNIGHT RISES aren’t doing too shabby on their promotional items, but THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has got serious issues in terms of quality and relevancy with their latest batch of toy gimmicks.

Will there be a swimming action sequence in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN?  Will there be a high-speed quad race?  Will Spider-Man drive a submarine? 

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN swims and races his way into theaters on July 3rd, 2012.  Wake me up when it’s over.