"Spider-Man" stars, director mum on fourth film

TOKYO (Reuters) - The stars and the director of "Spider-Man 3" gave no clues on Tuesday whether Sony's money-spinning superhero would return to the screen in a fourth adventure, but Kirsten Dunst gave fans a glimmer of hope.

Asked how her character -- Peter Parker's love interest, Mary Jane Watson -- had developed in the latest film, Dunst told a news conference: "I admire her bravery and she's always been a challenging character for me.

"I think this last film -- not the last film, but the third film -- has really been a culmination of that growth of family," she said, referring to the cast. "It's really apparent on the screen because of all the hard work we've put into it."

Tobey Maguire, who plays Parker in the action series, and director Sam Raimi also attended the packed news conference, but no reporters got a chance to ask the question on every fan's mind: will there be a fourth movie?

In a nod to the importance of the Japanese market, "Spider-Man 3" premiered in Tokyo on Monday and will debut globally on May 4.