Kings of the world

"Titanic" James Cameron is no match for Spidey; Dylan and Simon plan rock-of-ages tour; Amazon CEO scores musical coup.

By Amy Reiter

Apr 7, 1999 | Poor James Cameron. His dream has sunk. The supremely hubristic director made a Titanic effort to helm a new film version of "Spider-Man" -- and for a while it looked as though the winds were in his favor. But now it looks like the Marvel-ous ship will sail without him.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cameron is no longer aboard the big-budget flick, for which Sony recently scored the rights. And although a replacement director has not yet been named, Columbia Pictures has hired screenwriter David Koepp ("Men in Black," "Lost World") to rework the treatment put together by the man whose 1998 Academy Award acceptance speech should have earned him a Razzie instead. (Aw  someone throw the guy a life raft, will ya?)

Perhaps the Spidey producers were afraid the "Titanic" director might cast scrawny teen heartthrob Leo DiCaprio in the title role. Now there's someone the world could live without seeing jumping from building to building in a leotard and tights.

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Speaking of superheroes 

It's a frenzy of folkritude, a party of passi pop: Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, those hip folk-rockin' oldsters, are teaming up to give baby boomers a U.S. summer concert tour that will assuredly leave them feeling both groovy and forever young. ("Mr. Tambourine Man meets Mrs. Robinson" as USA Today so aptly put it -- and double-damn them for coming up with the best line!)

The two 57-year-old Grammy-winning legends, who claim to be big fans of each other, will each perform a solo set and then share the stage for a couple of songs. The 30-city tour, which kicks off like a rolling stone in Colorado Springs, Colo., this June and wraps up July 31 at Jones Beach on Long Island, will mark the first time the two '60s icons have played together.

At least they think it's the first time. "They do not remember, over the last 30 years, ever playing together," a spokesperson for Dylan told Reuters, "so this will mark the first time in anyone's memory." Let the "Time out of Mind" and "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" jokes begin 

Next Page: Amazon.com CEO scores a musical cyber-coup

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