Had you asked me last year whether I saw another Spider-Man in Tobey Maguire‘s future, I would have easily said “No.” Thank goodness, I didn’t put any money down on that.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the chances of Maguire of participating in two more sequels are actually quite strong. Maguire and director Sam Raimi are reportedly very close to sealing new deals with Columbia Pictures.

This news comes months after a premiere date was announced by the studio. Back in June, producer Laura Ziskin said she would like to see a fourth installment in theaters on Memorial Day 2011.

Assuming casting is determined soon, Columbia may opt to schedule back-to-back productions as early as fall 2009.