Web of intrigue: Spider-Man

Filming is expected to begin in November, with a US release pencilled in for 12 months later.

Director Sam Raimi had wanted Maguire for the part for some time, but reportedly took some persuading, as did Columbia executives who doubted he had the figure for the role.

But they were won over when he donned the superhero's skin-tight outfit, and demonstrated the results of his recent aerobics regime.

The film follows the success of another Marvel Comics adaptation, X-Men - which already has a sequel in production.

Created in 1962 by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, Spider-Man was one of the few comic-book heroes without a sidekick.

He would be left alone to worry about his predicament in thought bubbles. He made his cartoon debut on TV in 1967.

The film is based on an earlier treatment by Titanic director James Cameron, whose plans were scuppered by a lengthy legal battle over the film.

Executives thought Maguire did not have the body for the part

Marvel and Sony - Columbia's parent company - both dropped competing lawsuits in 1991 after an eight-year fight over the rights to Spider-Man.

The two companies teamed up to form a partnership to make the film, while rival studio MGM dropped its claim to the franchise.

The role is another step forward for Maguire, whose last major part was alongside Sir Michael Caine in The Cider House Rules.

He first came to prominence in short-lived TV comedy Great Scott! in 1992, and has since appeared in Woody Allen's Deconstructing Harry, The Ice Storm, and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas.