Columbia Pictures, Major League Baseball Statement Regarding 'Spider-Man 2'

Columbia Pictures and Major League Baseball Properties have agreed to remove the "Spider-Man® 2" logo from the in-field bases that will be used during Spider-Man® 2 Weekend June 11-13.

"We don't want to do anything that takes away from a fan's enjoyment of the game," said Geoffrey Ammer, President of Worldwide Marketing for the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group. "While we initially asked for the bases to be included in the MLB promotional package, they are only one element of a much larger family event with Major League Baseball. "Spider-Man® 2" weekend will be a very exciting, fun and unique promotion and we want to make it a great weekend for baseball fans everywhere."

"As stated when this partnership was announced, we think this is a terrific promotion for Major League Baseball and Columbia Pictures and a great opportunity to reach out to children and families," said Bob DuPuy, President and Chief Operating Officer, Major League Baseball. "The bases were an extremely small part of this program; however, we understand that a segment of our fans was uncomfortable with this particular component and we do not want to detract from the fan's experience in any way. We are pleased to be moving ahead with all other elements of this groundbreaking marketing partnership and will continue to pursue new and innovative ways to market the game and engage baseball fans around the globe."

As announced on May 5, 2004, the focus of the marketing partnership will be a weekend of "Spider-Man® 2" events coordinated with Major League Baseball Properties and the 15 MLB Clubs hosting home games June 11-13.

During "Spider-Man® 2" Weekend, ballparks will feature in-park signage and each Club will feature special "Spider-Man® 2" promotional give-aways. In addition, highlights from "Spider-Man® 2" will run on stadium video boards to promote the motion picture's June 30 release.

In "Spider-Man 2," two years have passed since Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) walked away from his long-time love Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) and decided to take the road to responsibility as Spider-Man. Peter must face new challenges as he struggles to cope with "the gift and the curse" of his powers while balancing his dual identities as the elusive superhero Spider-Man and life as a college student. The relationships Peter holds most dear are now in danger of unraveling as he clashes with the powerful, multi-tentacled villain "Doc Ock" (Alfred Molina).

"Spider-Man® 2" reunites the cast and filmmakers from the first adventure, including Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Rosemary Harris and J.K. Simmons, under the leadership of director Sam Raimi and producers Laura Ziskin and Marvel's Avi Arad. Joining the ensemble cast are Alfred Molina as Dr. Otto Octavius ("Doc Ock"), Daniel Gillies as John Jameson, Vanessa Ferlito as Louise, Dylan Baker as Dr. Curt Connors and Donna Murphy as Rosalie Octavius.

Columbia Pictures Presents A Marvel Enterprises/Laura Ziskin Production "Spider-Man® 2" starring Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina, Rosemary Harris, Donna Murphy and J.K. Simmons. The film is directed by Sam Raimi ("Spider-Man," "For Love of the Game"). The screenplay is by two-time Oscar® winner Alvin Sargent (Ordinary People, Unfaithful) based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. The screen story is by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar and Pulitzer-Prize winning author Michael Chabon. The producers are Laura Ziskin ("Spider-Man," "Pretty Woman") and Avi Arad ("X-Men", "Daredevil", "Hulk").

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

   For further information contact:
   Kathleen Fineout
   Director, Marketing Communications
   Major League Baseball
   (212) 931-7878
   Kathleen.Fineout@MLB.com

   Steve Elzer
   Senior Vice President, Media Relations
   Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
   (310) 244-7142
   steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

SOURCE: Columbia Pictures, Major League Baseball

CONTACT: Kathleen Fineout, Director, Marketing Communications of Major
League Baseball, +1-212-931-7878, Kathleen.Fineout@MLB.com; or Steve Elzer,
Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia TriStar Motion Picture
Group, +1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/