Marc Webb
Marc Webb is an American film director best recognized for his debut feature film, (500) Days of Summer (2009), and the superhero reboot The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). Born on August 31, 1974, in Bloomington, Indiana, Webb grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where he developed an early interest in theater and film. He graduated from Colorado College in 1996 and began his career directing music videos for renowned artists such as Santana and Maroon 5, before transitioning into feature films.
Webb’s directorial style is characterized by a focus on nuanced storytelling, as seen in (500) Days of Summer, which explores the complexities of modern relationships through an unconventional narrative. His work on The Amazing Spider-Man showcased his ability to blend blockbuster entertainment with deeper psychological themes, particularly in his portrayal of the iconic character Peter Parker. Although the sequel, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), received mixed reviews, Webb's contributions to both the action and indie film landscapes have garnered him acclaim.
In addition to feature films, Webb has directed and produced various television series, further showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. His upcoming project, Bermuda, is set to explore the mysteries of the infamous ocean triangle. Webb maintains a private personal life, being married with two children, while his professional journey continues to inspire audiences and fellow creators alike.
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Subject Terms
Marc Webb
Director
- Born: August 31, 1974
- Place of Birth: Bloomington, Indiana
Contribution: Marc Webb is a director best known for his critically acclaimed debut film (500) Days of Summer (2009) and his superhero reboot The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).
Background
Marc Webb was born on August 31, 1974, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Margaret and Norman Webb. When Webb was eighteen months old, his family relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, where his father worked in the mathematics department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Webb attended Madison West High School, where he first became interested in theater and film.
Webb entered Colorado College in Colorado Springs, graduating with a degree in English in 1996. He then moved to Los Angeles and completed an internship with documentarian Doug Pray, who directed the documentary Art & Copy and also hails from Madison, Wisconsin.
Career
Webb began his career directing music videos, working with numerous high-profile musicians such as Santana and Maroon 5. He also directed a video documentary for the band No Doubt, entitled No Doubt: Return to Saturn, in 2000. Webb then directed a music video for the song "Waiting" by the punk rock band Green Day, which was compiled in the music documentary Green Day: International Supervideos! (2001). Like many directors, Webb directed several short films and other features, including the short comedy film Seascape in 2003. In 2005, he directed an hour-long documentary of pop star Jesse McCartney called Jesse McCartney: Up Close. Webb continued to direct music videos throughout the 2000s, shooting the videos for "I Want You To" by Weezer, "Party People" by Nelly, and "Better" by Regina Spektor, among others.
Webb's break into film came when he met writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, who asked him to direct their independent comedic-drama movie (500) Days of Summer starring Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The film focuses on an imbalanced love affair between Tom Hansen (Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Deschanel) and attempts to present a more realistic look at modern love affairs. The film uses an unconventional narrative style, alternating between scenes set in the past during Hansen and Finn's relationship and present scenes in which Hansen is dealing with his feelings for Finn after the couple breaks up.
Webb's debut feature film was a critical success, with (500) Days of Summer receiving widespread acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award nomination for best picture. Webb later said in interviews that he never saw himself directing a romantic comedy because the genre has become so clichéd, but found Neustadter and Weber's script to be compelling because of its unconventional approach to the love story theme.
In 2010, Webb was approached by Sony executives to direct three films for the Spider-Man film franchise, rebooting the popular Sam Raimi film series starring Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst. Webb noted that he envisioned a more nuanced and grounded approach to the superhero genre than was characteristic of the previous generation of superhero movies. He prepared for the process by attempting to examine the psychological state of Peter Parker (Spider-Man's mild-mannered secret identity) to convincingly portray how an average seventeen-year-old boy might react to finding he had super powers. Webb cast British actor Andrew Garfield in the lead role after being impressed with Garfield's performances in the art film Boy A (2007) and the television miniseries Red Riding (2009). In The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Webb skillfully balanced the dueling demands of creating a fresh take on the Spider-Man story and remaining faithful to the key elements of Spider-Man's personality and history that have made the character a fan favorite for decades.
Webb also served as an executive producer on the Hulu original series Battleground (2012). As The Amazing Spider-Man proved a box office hit and earned generally strong reviews, Webb soon agreed to direct a sequel. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was released in 2014, again starring Garfield and Emma Stone. However, this entry received a mixed response from critics and notable fan backlash, leading to lower-than-expected returns at the box office (though it was still one of the top-grossing films of the year). As a result, further films, including spin-offs meant to form a cinematic universe, were canceled. The Spider-Man character was eventually rebooted once again, without Webb's involvement.
In 2017, Webb released his next feature film, Gifted. A drama about a highly intelligent child caught in a custody battle, the film earned strong reviews and was a financial success. That same year he directed another drama, The Only Living Boy in New York. However, it was received poorly by most critics. In 2019, Webb was reported to be attached to direct a live-action remake of the Disney classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Meanwhile, he also worked in television, directing and producing episodes of shows such as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Society, and Why Women Kill. He continued working in television in the early 2020s, notably directing episodes of shows like Rebel (2021), Just Beyond (2021), and Death and Other Details (2024). In 2023, it was announced that Webb would direct the upcoming film Bermuda about the infamous ocean triangle.
Impact
Webb earned acclaim with both big-budget action films and smaller, more personal productions, demonstrating his range as a filmmaker. While some media critics considered him a surprising choice to helm a blockbuster such as The Amazing Spider-Man, he showed a talent for reviving tired genres and tropes. His films have reached large audiences and inspired many fans.
Personal Life
Webb married Jane Herman, and the couple had two children together. Few other details of the director's personal life have been reported.
Bibliography
Hill, Logan. "(500) Days of Summer Director Marc Webb on the Challenge of Making a Romantic Comedy without Matthew McConaughey." Vulture. New York Media, 14 July 2009. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
"Marc Webb." IMDb, 2024, www.imdb.com/name/nm1989536. Accessed 17 Sept. 2024.
Pulver, Andrew. "Marc Webb: The Latest Director Caught in Spider-Man's Web." Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 21 June 2012. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
Thomas, Rob. "Madison-Raised Director Marc Webb Savors the Slow-Building Success of His Feature Film Debut, '(500) Days of Summer.'" Capital Times. Madison.com, 9 Aug. 2009. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
Webb, Marc. "'Amazing Spider-Man' Director Marc Webb's Film History." Interview by Alex Billington. First Showing. First Showing, 3 July 2012. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
Webb, Marc. "'Spider-Man' Director Marc Webb Feels a 'Responsibility to Reinvent' the Hero." Interview by Geoff Boucher. Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2011. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.