Ultimate Spider-Man

Ultimate Spider-Man is a 2010 American computer-animated superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man and the comic book of the same name by Brian Michael Bendis. Directed by Chris Saunders and Dean Debois, from a screenplay by Bendis, Saunders, and Debois, and is the first installment in the Ultimate Spider-Man trilogy. The film stars the voice of Jay Baruchel as the titular character, alongside the voices of Matthew McConaughey, Tara Strong, Jared Padalecki, Tim Allen, Vincent D'Onofrio, Helen Mirren, and J.K. Simmons. The story is about Spider-Man's origin story and early high school career, and centers around high school freshman Peter Parker developing spider-like powers after being bit by an genetically-altered spider, and moonlights as a vigilante to protect New York City from superpowered criminals, and going toe to toe with the Green Goblin in the process.

In 2004, the idea of making an animated Spider-Man movie began attracting the attention of the executives at DreamWorks Animation, particularly of Over the Hedge producer Bonnie Arnold. The directors of the film being the secondary cast in the recording sessions to ensure to cash in the improvisation abilities. The filmmakers hired cinematographer Roger Deakins (known for frequently collaborating with the Coen brothers) as a visual consultant to help them with lighting and aesthetic of the film and to add a live-action feel. John Powell composed the film's musical score, while rock band Skillet provided some of their songs for the film to make it stand out from the Sam Raimi films.

Ultimate Spider-Man premiered at the Gibson Amphitheater on March 21, 2010, and was released in the United States five days later. The film was a commercial success, earning nearly $500 million worldwide. It was widely acclaimed, being praised for its animation, voice acting, writing, musical score, and 3D sequences. It was nominated for two awards at the 83rd Academy Awards, with it winning Best Animated Feature, and received numerous other accolades. It was the first installment in what would become it's own universe, which includes two more films, Ultimate Spider-Man 2 and Ultimate Spider-Man 3: Rise of the Sinister Six, along with a spinoff TV series based on the film.

Premise
14 year old high schooler Peter Parker once thought he was an average teenager, until the day of the field trip, he was bit by a genetically-altered spider, and began developing superhuman abilities. After the death of his Uncle Ben, Peter decided to use his powers for good, and protect New York from Green Goblin and the Kingpin, as the hero, Spider-Man.

Cast

 * Jay Baruchel as Peter Parker/Spider-Man - An intellectually-gifted yet socially-introverted and rebellious teenager struggling to find his place in life. After a genetically engineered spider bites him, he gains spider-like powers, including super-strength, enhanced reflexes, a "spider sense" that warns him of incoming danger, and the ability to climb walls. He also develops his own mechanical web-shooters. Following a personal tragedy, he decides to use his newfound powers for good, and begins fighting crime and injustice as Spider-Man.
 * Matthew McConaughey as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin - Harry's father, a scientist, and the CEO of Oscorp who tests an unstable strength enhancer on himself and transforms into a green, monstrous, mutated version of himself, becoming the supervillain that the media dubs "the Green Goblin." Norman originally simply wanted to kill Wilson Fisk in order to become the new Kingpin of crime, but knew that Spider-Man would constantly get in the way and decides to try to kill him.
 * Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/Kingpin - A powerful businessman and crime lord whose interests in the future of New York City brings him to conflict with Spider-Man, and is also Green Goblin's main target.
 * Tara Strong as Mary Jane "MJ" Watson - The new girl in town, and Peter's love interest, as well as his next-door neighbor. MJ has an abusive father, and aspires to become an actress, but gets a part-time job at a nursing home.
 * Jared Padalecki as Harry Osborn - Peter's best friend, and Norman's son. He had grown envious of Spider-Man since he started gaining his father's attention more than himself.
 * Tim Allen as Ben Parker - Peter's kindly, understanding and avuncular uncle/father-figure, who is closely bonded with his nephew and along with his wife: May Parker, raised Peter like his own son and tries to teach him to be a good person, while also encouraging his academic pursuits and his rapport with Mary Jane. He is later killed by an armed robber, which serves as a constant source of guilt and torment for Peter, due to his partial role in his uncle's murder, but not before he imparts Peter with the motto that "with great power comes great responsibility", which inspires Peter to use his powers for the greater good and to undertake his Spider-Man vigilante alter-ego.
 * Helen Mirren as May Parker - Peter's independent aunt, who is in her 50s working as a secretary and regularly sees a therapist to deal with the death of her husband Ben. May hates Spider-Man because she believes he has no regard for innocent bystanders and hid his face behind a mask.
 * J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson - The grouchy, loudmouthed editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle and Peter's boss. He despises Spider-Man and considers him a criminal, and constantly takes delight in carrying out an unrelenting smear campaign against him and driving a rift in public opinion on his heroics.

Production
With the success of the Ultimate Spider-Man comics by Brian Michael Bendis, the idea of an animated Spider-Man movie quickly caught the attention of the executives at DreamWorks Animation in 2004. Coming off her success in Over the Hedge, producer Bonnie Arnold shortly became interested in the newly acquired property. She kept focusing on the project as time went on, and when DreamWorks Animation co-president of production Bill Damaschke asked her what she wanted to work on next, she chose "Ultimate Spider-Man."