Sam Raimi won't watch the new Spider-Man films

Sam Raimi, the 'Evil Dead' legend who directed the first 'Spider-Man' trilogy, says that he won't be watching the new Marc Webb take on the web-slinger.

But it's not out of spite, more out of reverence for those involved and the fact that he 'hasn't got the guts', likening it to going to an ex-girlfriend's wedding.

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“Well, I'm a big Marc Webb fan and a giant fan of Emma Stone. And of Andrew Garfield. I saw him on Broadway in 'Death of a Salesman', it's just brilliant,” he told the Huffington Post.

“And I love the producers of that movie because they are dear friends, and the writer. But, I haven't had the guts to go see the movie yet. Because I don't want to go to my girlfriend's wedding. I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't have the guts.

“But, I hear it's great. My wife even loved the picture and said it was a wonderful, excellently produced, beautifully acted, brilliantly written Spider-Man picture. She'd tell me the truth and that's what she said.

“I don't feel he was in my shadow at all. I think I handed the torch to Marc and I hear that he ran with it and succeeded and made a brilliant picture. I'm happy for him and all the team. And I only wish him the best and I salute them because it's a tough job, too.”

Raimi is currently doing the publicity rounds for his latest project, 'Oz: The Great and Powerful', due out on March 8.