Have an hour to kill this morning? You’re going to want to listen to this Japanese press conference held Jan. 18 in Tokyo on behalf of Marc Webb’s upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man. Producer Avi Arad mentions that this is the first stop on a global promotional tour -- as well as the first territory that will open the blockbuster -- and references seven minutes of footage that was screened for attendees (though we don’t get to see it here). That’s doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to learn in the clip, so dive in and we’ll see you on the other side.



Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone accompanied Arad and fellow producer Matthew Tolmach on the press dais. The two stars still seem to earnest, nervous and proud of the work that they’ve done on Webb’s films. I pray to God the grinding press circuit doesn’t squeeze that passion and enthusiasm out of them.

So, what did we learn about Webb’s reboot? Arad reveals that Rhys Ifans’ iteration of The Lizard will have a connection to both Peter Parker (Garfield) and Gwen Stacy (Stone), which is a departure from the comics, where Dr. Curt Connors was simply a Florida-based scientist hoping to replace his severed limb.

On the character of Stacy, the cast explained that she is Parker’s real, true love, and that this version of the story focuses on this couple’s “romantic” destiny. Yet Stone does drop the name of Mary Jane Watson at one point during the conversation, so maybe they’re thinking of reversing Sam Raimi’s approach and bringing the feisty red head into the mix in a sequel. We know that a sequel will arrive in theaters in 2014. Now how about giving us a little more about part one, so we can continue getting excited.