Speaking to The Coventry Telegraph, director Sam Raimi - who begins shooting sequel three in March - says he's quite aware of the criticisms the last SPidey film copped, and he doesn't entirely disagree with them.

"I think having so many villains detracted from the experience. I would agree with the criticism."

Raimi, hinting that the next film will feature fewer foes, said he's learned some new lessons and storytelling tricks since sending Harry Osborne to meet his maker - largely thanks to 'Drag Me to Hell', the phenomenal horror flick released earlier this year that was a much more "intimate" production than any of the Spidey jaunts.

"I think I've learned about the importance of getting to the point and the importance of having limitations, and I'm hoping to take that into a production where I'm actually allowed to explore with more of the tools to pull it off with a little more splendour.

"I hope I don't lose that edge that I've just found. That would be my approach to Spider-Man 4: to get back to the basics."

Raimi said they've yet to decide which villain/villains "Spider-Man 4" will feature.