'Spider-Man 3' Bows In Queens

Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) greets fans on his way in to UA Kaufman Astoria Cinema 14 on 38th Street for the premiere of "Spider-Man 3" Monday, April 30. A Queens boy came home Monday night, and the old neighborhood welcomed him back. Peter Parker, also known as Marvel Comics' superhero, Spider-Man, and a longtime resident of Ingram Street in Forest Hills Gardens, appeared in the person of actor Tobey Maguire at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Long Island City for the American premiere of "Spider-Man 3" as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. The film was screened at UA Kaufman Astoria Cinema 14, with festivities continuing afterward at Kaufman Astoria Studios' Stage E and was the first of the three Spider-Man films to have its premiere in New York.

"We are celebrating not only the movie's premiere, but our very own neighborhood," Hal Rosenbluth, Kaufman Astoria Studios president said. "We're proud to welcome Peter Parker back to New York."

Cheering crowds lined 38th Street as a marching band preceded the celebrities up the red carpet, which had been changed to black for the occasion. (The premise of "Spider-Man 3" concerns Peter Parker's superhero Spider-Man costume, which suddenly changes from red to black, enhancing his powers, but also fostering false pride and overconfidence.) Maguire greeted the welcoming crowd. Other members of the cast, including Kirsten Dunst, who plays Mary Jane ("MJ") Watson, Peter's (and Spidey's) love interest, stage and screen legends Rosemary Harris and Cliff Robertson, who are Peter's family, Aunt May and Uncle Ben Parker, and villains Thomas Haden Church (Flint Marko, aka Sandman) and Topher Grace (Eddie Brock, aka Venom), also acknowledged fans and onlookers. Besides other cast members James Franco (Harry Osborn), Bryce Dallas Howard (Gwen Stacy), Elizabeth Banks (Betty Brant) and Theresa Russell (Mrs. Marko), the film's director, Sam Raimi, Alvin Sargeant, author of the screenplay, and producers Avi Arad, Grant Curtis and Laura Ziskin also attended.

Other celebrities expected to stroll the black carpet to fans' applause were Leonardo DiCaprio, Mary J. Blige, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, James Gandolfini, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Weinstein, Jane Rosenthal, Craig Hatkoff, Chris Klein, Ginnifer Goodwin, Wilmer Valderrama, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lukas Haas, Mario Batali, Jesse Bradford, Mario Cantone, David Evangelista, Will I Am, Irv Gotti, Adriana Lima, Chris Marquette, Chi McBride, Rev. Run, John Singleton and Michael Stipe.

"Spider-Man 3", released by Columbia Pictures, reunites the cast and filmmakers from the first two Spider-Man films for a web of vengeance, love and forgiveness that will transport audiences worldwide to new heights when the film officially opens this Friday, May 4. Its premise is that Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But when his Spider-Man suit suddenly changes from red to black, darker elements in Peter's nature get a toehold and he begins to neglect those he cares most about. As Sandman and Venom, two of Marvel Comics' most feared villains, gather unparalleled power and a thirst for retribution, Peter/Spider-Man faces his greatest battle- one within himself. He must rediscover who he is and what makes him the hero people love.

The Kaufman Astoria Studios premiere of "Spider-Man 3" marked the start of "Spider- Man Week in NYC". Events will be held in all five boroughs; for more information, visit www.spider-manweeknyc.com. The day after the premiere, "Spider Week" started as Maguire met some real spider-men at the American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West. That same day, Topher Grace (Venom) signed autographs at Forbidden Planet, a bookstore specializing in science fiction, also in Manhattan. On Sunday, May 6, Spider-Man Week will come to a close with an "It's a Rap" celebration at Harlem's Apollo Theater. G.O.O.D. Music/Columbia Records recording artist Consequence and lyricists Collective Flow, Ace Peyso, Sharky Conway, Dayonna Richardson, Loot, Hannibal and Phynix are scheduled to attend.

The original studios opened in 1920. Today, KAS is the largest, most experienced and most comprehensive studio facility in New York City. KAS features six studios, including a 26,040-square-foot stage, KAS Music & Sound and K/A/S Lighting, all under one roof. KAS has played host to productions such as this year's "Music & Lyrics By", "Johnny and the Sprites" and the upcoming movie "Accidental Husband", and is the longtime home of the children's favorite, "Sesame Street". With more than 85 years of experience, KAS offers the expertise, equipment and environment to create first-class productions.

Photos Vinny DuPre