Sony + Marvel = New Spider-Man
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Spider-Man is now part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Amid speculation about the fate of The Amazing Spider-Man in the wake of Amy Pascal’s departure as co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment, news is breaking now that her new producing deal with Sony will include a partnership with Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios.
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”
Sony will continue to have creative control and will finance and distribute the Spider-Movies, but Marvel and Sony are currently in the throes of figuring out how to bring the wall-crawler into the overall mix of Marvel’s upcoming films. Two immediate questions arise:
- Will there be another origin film?
- Will Spider-Man figure into Captain America: Civil War?
Spider-Man plays a central role in the original Civil War comic book, and many speculated that Black Panther might perform that function in the movie. But with Spidey now moving into the MCU proper, will that provide any motivation to re-tool CA:CW?
It’s most likely a foregone conclusion that Andrew Garfield will be out as Peter Parker, unless Sony and Marvel figure out a way to make the two Amazing Spider-Man entries canon within the MCU. That would save the headache of both re-telling a story we’ve seen twice now, as well as recasting the lead role again.
“We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
The next Spider-Man movie is set for release on July 28, 2017.
As a result of this deal, dates for several Marvel movies have been affected. Thor: Ragnarok moves from July 28 to November 3, 2017. This kicks Black Panther back eight months to July 6, 2018. That pushes Captain Marvel to November 2, 2018 and Inhumans to July 12, 2019. The dates for the Avengers: Infinity War set are unchanged.
Thoughts on the new MCU lineup?
