SPIDER MAN - SPIDER-MAN 2 RELEASE PUSHED FORWARD

Movie bosses hope to pull in extra cash from the upcoming SPIDER-MAN sequel by pushing the film's American release date forward to 30 June (03) - two days earlier than scheduled.

The move gives SPIDER-MAN 2 a head start on America's Independence Day (04JUL) weekend, one of the busiest times of the year at movie theatres.

Starring TOBEY MAGUIRE in the title role opposite KIRSTEN DUNST, Spider-Man had a record $114.8 million (GBP63.7 million) opening weekend and was the top-grossing movie of 2002, with a $403.7 million (GBP224.2 million) haul in America alone.

Maguire says, "We obviously had enormous success with the first one, which we couldn't have predicted. And we think we're going to do it again."

Director SAM RAIMI adds, "We really put everything we had into the second Spider-Man. We think it's a great family picture and a great love story."