Spider-Man 3, the latest instalment of the superhero franchise, received its gala opening in London on Monday.
Stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst wowed fans as they arrived, with director Sam Raimi also making an appearance. Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays Mary Jane's love rival Gwen Stacy, did not attend.
The sequel has already premièred in Japan last week, a move which was seen by some as an attempt to break into the lucrative international market. It is due to open next in Rome, Berlin, Madrid, Moscow, New York and Stockholm and will be released worldwide by May 4th.
In the new movie, Peter Parker (Maguire) has finally managed to balance his duties as a superhero with his devotion to love Mary Jane (Dunst). But everything changes when his suit turns black, enhancing his super powers, but also bringing out the dark, vengeful side of his personality.
"It's the strongest Spider-Man yet," said Epoch Times critic James Carroll, who saw the movie at a press screening ahead of its UK première. "It's got more of everything; more laughs, tears, shocks and surprises than parts one and two put together. There's three villains, and Spidey himself is a villain because of the black suit."
The movie's $250 million budget makes Spider-Man 3 a big risk for Sony Pictures, but with the first two instalments grossing $1.6 billion they'll be expecting a hit.
