Variety is reporting that Sony Pictures is in the very early stages of developing a secret new Marvel movie, set in their burgeoning live-action Spider-Verse, and while there's nothing official, the early buzz is that it will be centered on one of Spider-Man's most trusted allies: Madame Web.
S.J. Clarkson, who helmed episodes of Marvel's The Defenders and Marvel's Jessica Jones, will direct the upcoming spinoff. No word yet on who will pen the script.
While details are murky at best, the studio is reportedly courting big names for the part with 6x Academy Award-nominee Amy Adams (Man of Steel; Justice League) and Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron (The Fate of the Furious; The Old Guard) rumored to be at the top of their wishlist, although it should be noted that no one has committed nor has anyone even met for the role just yet.
The report adds that Sony may be looking to lock down an actress first before seeking out a writer so that the film can be developed around the star.
The comics version of Madame Web is generally depicted as an elderly woman with myasthenia gravis and is almost always seen depicted attached to a life support system that looked like a spider web, which keeps her out of action and leaves the dirty work to good ol' Peter Parker.
Due to her not actually taking part in any of crimefighting in the comics, it is believed this potential film will introduce a considerably different version of the character, perhaps more similar to the Julie Carpenter iteration introduced in the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series.