You better believe it: Spidey joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In a press release, both Sony and Disney announced they'll team together to produce a new Spider-Man film, and find ways to get him in future Marvel productions. This makes Spider-Man officially in the same cannon as The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy.
In a press release, found on Slashfilm, the studios announced the surprise news. The deal lets Sony Pictures continues to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control on Spider-Man, but makes the web slinger officially a member of Marvel's Cinematic Universe at the same time. Marvel's head producer Kevin Feige co-produces the next Spider-Man alongside Amy Pascal.
"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," Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, said in the press release.
This means Spidey swings back into theaters on July 28, 2017 with his own feature again, a release date once occupied by Thor: Ragnarok. That Thor is now being pushed back to November 3, 2017. At one point in time, Sony had plans to make a Sinister Six film in 2016, followed by a female-led film from the Spider-Man comics and then The Amazing Spider-Man 3 in 2018. There's no word on those films, which means they're likely dead or in a state of flux.
Of course, as hinted above, this news announces that both studios are "exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.” So don't be surprised to see the Hulk or Iron Man or any other Marvel favorite pop up in this upcoming movie.
In fact, they eagerly report Spider-Man, before his latest movie, is set to appear in "a Marvel film from Marvel's Cinematic Universe" before this new solo film. While it would be a pinch to get him inside Avengers: Age of Ultron or Ant-Man, that's not stopping him for popping up in Captain America: Civil War — which would make the most sense, especially if one is familiar with the source material it's based on. Though, don't completely rule out Doctor Strange. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 would be a stretch, but you never know with Marvel. Most importantly, however, he'll most likely be in the Infinity War, something that should have fans mouths watering everywhere.
What's also interesting about this deal is how they're calling it "the new Spider-Man." That means Andrew Garfield, whether you liked him or not, is getting kicked to the curb when it comes time to start production on this new movie. Yes, that means there will be a third person playing Spider-Man in a little over a decade time. Garfield or anyone from the creative team of the past two movies are not mentioned in this press release.
“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,” Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said in the press release. “This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
Image courtesy of Roger Wong/INFphoto.com