Shots have been fired… or maybe, webs have been slung?
Marvel fans had their worst fears realized on August 20th, when it came to light that
Disney and Sony couldn't come to an agreement to keep Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic
Universe in upcoming releases.
After Sony-produced films like 2007's Spider-Man 3 and 2014's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 failed
to truly capture the essence of the web-slinger, and in light of just how popular and successful
Spider-Man has been in the MCU, fans have been quick to denounce the decision.
Once the story went public, Sony wasted little time in issuing its response and - surprise,
surprise - they are placing the blame on Disney.
"What is this, pro wrestling?"
"Whatever, old man."
An unnamed Sony spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter that the studio is "disappointed"
with the outcome, and confirmed that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will no longer
produce Spider-Man movies in the future.
The spokesperson stated:
"We are disappointed, but respect Disney's decision not to have him continue as a lead
producer of our next live-action Spider-Man film.
We hope this might change in the future, but understand that the many new responsibilities
that Disney has given him - including all their newly added Marvel properties - do not
allow time for him to work on IP they do not own."
Apparently, the fallout between the two companies came after Disney suggested it deserved more
of the profit from future Spider-Man movies, requesting the standing five percent day-one
box office cut to be increased to a 50 percent co-financing stake in the franchise.
Obviously, Sony turned that down, wanting the current deal - in which Disney also receives
all merchandising revenue - to continue instead.
To be fair to Sony, Feige does seem to have more on his plate than ever before.
With the Mouse House launching its streaming platform Disney+ at the end of the year, the
head of Marvel Studios is hard at work making sure the numerous superhero offerings that
are coming to the platform are up to snuff - not to mention ensuring the success of the
various Phase 4 films that are in the works as well.
And with the surprisingly massive box office of Venom and the critical and commercial success
of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Sony is in a much stronger place with its comic
book franchise than it was back when the original deal was struck with Disney in 2015.
Sony has had the film rights to Spider-Man since 1999, back when Marvel Comics was doing
its best to recover from bankruptcy and resorted to licensing many of its most popular characters
to film studios just to stay afloat.
Times have changed for both companies, and Sony is evidently standing its ground in a
major way.
For his part, Tom Holland - who has played Marvel's wall-crawler in five films since
first appearing in 2016's Captain America: Civil War - is contracted to appear as Spider-Man
in two more standalone movies for Sony.
Of course, Spider-Man solo pictures are not the only thing Sony Pictures has going on
right now, as the studio is looking to create its own successful franchise of Marvel-based
films after Venom did gangbusters at the box office.
Previously announced films that are in pre-production at the studio include an Andy Serkis-directed
Venom sequel and a pic starring Jared Leto as classic Marvel antihero Morbius the Living
Vampire.
The studio also hasn't been shy about other possible projects to expand its Spider-Man
universe.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in late 2018, then-series producer Amy Pascal mentioned
that Sony was interested in reviving the previously shelved Sinister Six film based on the iconic
group of Spider-Man villains.
In light of all this news, many questions remain.
Can Holland's Peter Parker leave one cinematic universe merely to join another?
Are fans of the MCU ready and willing to support Spider-Man outside of Feige's steady and knowledgeable
hands?
The last truly successful non-animated Spider-Man film Sony produced came over 15 years ago
with Sam Raimi's iconic 2004 picture Spider-Man 2.
"Hey, you guys.
No playing in the streets."
"Yes, Mr. Spider-Man."
That's an eternity in Hollywood time, but it's possible that time has given Sony perspective
and that the studio could put together a team that creates a remarkable piece of filmmaking
that blows the box office apart.
One thing's for sure: given that superhero films are largely a surefire box office draw
in Tinseltown, Spider-Man leaving the MCU is a major shift with billion-dollar implications.
"Oh.
This is nice."
It doesn't look like either studio is going to budge on this decision, unfortunately,
so fans are going to have to get used to a reality where Peter Parker isn't carrying
on the legacy of Tony Stark after all.
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