There have been a lot of questions surrounding Peter Parker's future in the MCU after Spider-Man: No Way Home. Following Sony and Marvel Studios' split and subsequent reunion over the character, many have wondered whether the Wall-Crawler would continue to fight alongside other Marvel Studios superheroes. When the new deal between the studios was revealed, it was reported that Spider-Man would have his own MCU-set solo film before jumping into a separate Marvel Studios project.
While doing press for No Way Home, Tom Holland clarified that there was, in fact, no official deal for him to appear in another MCU installment, calling the studios' agreement a "conversation." However, around the same time, veteran Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal appeared to confirm that a new Spider-Man trilogy was in development in collaboration with Marvel Studios. Now, there's a new side to the story courtesy of Sony CEO Tom Rothman.
Comicbook.com spoke to Rothman during the No Way Home premiere, and brought up the report regarding Spider-Man appearing in another MCU film after his third solo outing. The site asked the CEO whether Sony and Marvel Studios had made any plans, and Rothman replied that, while nothing is set in stone, Sony's relationship with Marvel Studios is "reciprocal." He further explained that Spider-Man is (technically) committed to appear in an MCU film after No Way Home:
"It's reciprocal. So, we lend one, and they lend one, and that's how [Benedict Cumberbatch] is in this movie. So, we have one more 'lend-back' that's committed. But the thing that I can say [...] is that the two companies have a terrific working relationship. And I think it's a mutual hope that that would continue. But there really isn't anything definitive at this moment, because the truth of the matter is, we gotta ride [No Way Home] and see what happens."
Keep in mind, the "lend-back" is not something that will necessarily happen. It's a contractual obligation, yes, but Marvel Studios and Sony may ultimately opt to not work together after No Way Home.
Of course, Rothman mentioning Sony's good working relationship with Marvel Studios does strengthen the possibility of the two studios reuniting once again to further Peter Parker's MCU story. And if that is indeed the case, Marvel Studios and Sony have become well-known for planning their franchises in advance, so it's likely that Spider-Man already has his next MCU appearance lined up.
Spider-Man: No Way Home arrives in theaters on December 17, 2021.