Just a week after comments about Sam Raimis perhaps bugging out of the 'Spider-Man' franchise for the Shire, the director says he's getting fatigued.  In a recent interview with Reuters, he said, "I'm just exhausted, and I need to get away from it for awhile."  Considering how much hype the franchise has generated, especially over the past several months, it's no surprise that the man in the big chair might want to step back, especially since he's been in that chair from the beginning.

In order to make this particular installment just as powerful as the first two (at least from behind the camera -- early reviews are coming in mixed though aiming towards positive) Raimi says he infused the film with a "brand new energy," delving into the dark side of Peter Parker's alter-ego and how that affects his relationships with his friend Harry Osborne, his Aunt May, and his beloved Mary Jane.

"We were not going to keep remaking the same story -- even though there are similar elements to all the 'Spider-Man' films -- we're going to continue the growth of this guy as a human being."

The film is due out in the States next week, and bootlegs are already up for sale, though Sony says they're fakes.  Advance ticket sales are brisk, and the buzz is still good.