Michael Lynton did not work for Sony Pictures Entertainment when the company scored its biggest hit five years ago. The first instalment in Sony’s Spider-Man franchise broke US box office records when it opened in May 2002, with an opening weekend of more than $115m.

Five years on, Mr Lynton, now chairman and chief executive of Sony’s studio arm, is hoping for similar success with Spider-Man 3. The film, which premieres in Tokyo tonight, receives a worldwide release on May 4.