Are Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire ready to suit up for another "Spider-Man" movie? According to industry gossip site Deadline Hollywood Daily, the answer is YE$$$.

The director and star of the nearly $3 billion franchise have reportedly agreed to terms with Sony for another installment featuring Marvel's misunderstood hero. In fact, Sony Pictures is pushing to shoot Spidey 4 and 5 back-to-back to cut down on costs (The third Spider film cost close to $300 mil). and also to ensure they keep their helmer and title player.

According to DHD, money (what else?) was the main holdup with Maguire. But he and co-star Kirsten Dunst have both said in the past that their thoughts on returning to Spidey hinged on Raimi's involvement.

Maybe Raimi was lured back by the thought that he didn't want his final Spider-Man tale to be the mediocre "Spider-Man 3." Dunst, BTW, hasn't agreed to return -yet.

As for the villain, the early favorite is the Lizard (Dylan Baker played Dr. Curt Connors in the third movie. Connors turns into the Lizard in the comics), but perhaps Raimi will throw a curve and bring in another baddie.

Whoever it is, I hope it's just one bad guy. The third picture suffered from a crowded villain landscape. Venom would have been better served as the sole foil in the fourth movie. Hopefully Raimi's new deal gives him the clout to keep the studio suits from interfering.