So, it's official. My favorite superhero is getting co-ownership from both Marvel and Sony. Marvel will provide the creative stigma and shot in the arm that Spider-Man needs while Sony will provide the financial resources Spider-Man needs to be able to grow outside of Marvel's crowded schedule. Of course, that is what I believe Sony should do, which leads me to number one.
1. Keep Focus on the Property That You Have
Look, it's cool that Spider-Man made his way into the powerhouse franchise. However, it doesn't change anything about who you got. Spider-Man is the only child that is able to visit the cousins every once in a while and the cousins can come visit him. Don't treat it as anything different. The great thing about Spider-Man is that he, for the most part, operates on his own. Sure, he has a bigger universe surrounding him now (which is cool) but Peter Parker will be alone. Don't force universal connections to the character. Have
Sony focus on what is the equivalent of his solo comic book with the occassional crossover from characters like Daredevil.
Marvel can take care of the big stuff.
2. Keep It Small(er)
Spider-Man's primary focus has always been on protecting his city. Since we're bringing the character back to his youth in high school (which I don't disagree with), Peter can't be dealing with massive world-level-extinction events. At least, not by himself. At first, keep it small. Spider-Man is a crime fighter. Make a criminal underworld conspiracy that he gets tied up in. However, verge away from using any characters we've already seen. We don't want/need Sandman, Doctor Octopus, Venom, Lizard and Electro and we
definitely don't need Green Goblin, at least not right away. My personal favorite Spider-Man villain that I'm honestly shocked we haven't seen yet is Mysterio. He would be a perfect villain for not only Spider-Man, but the
Marvel Cinematic Universe introduction to Spider-Man.
3. Already Have Spider-Man Have Taken On Some of These Villains
Now, I'm not that huge against
Sony doing a
Sinister Six film. I think it is definitely unique for the property and provides
Marvel's answer to
Suicide Squad. In fact, do pretty much like that. Doctor Octopus is pretty well known and would provide a great uniting villain. The other villains can be villains we've seen before in Sandman and Rhino and then extend it to others we haven't seen yet. The idea of doing the film without Spider-Man, though, I think is stupid. The reason the team exists is to fight Spider-Man. Still, providing a movie about the villains coming to together to fight the hero instead of the other way around will provide a pretty healthy counterbalance to the Avengers. I would definitely advocate pursuing that option but a) with Spider-Man still in it and b) with no villain establishment other than Mysterio in the first film.
4. Build Up Characters
Don't just cut characters down before their prime. Green Goblin is the Joker to Spider-Man's Batman. It is necessary for any franchise to use him. However, Green Goblin is the type of character that truly
deserves to be built up over the course of a few films. In the first film, for example, have Peter have two friends in Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn. Show the intricacies of his relationship with the two of them as well as their respective parents. Building Norman Osborn over the course of, say, three films will allow for us to really get to know the guy behind the mask and what makes him tick. Building George Stacy up to his ultimate demise will allow Peter to be changed in a way we didn't see in
The Amazing Spider-Man: with Stacy asking Peter to protect Gwen. Everything should be built up organically and not suddenly and shockingly. Take it slow. (Hell, have George Stacy be killed at the end of the Sinister Six film and lead into the second Spider-Man film with that. And have George Stacy be the main antagonist of the film before the ultimate battle with Spider-Man that gets Stacy killed.)
5. NO ORIGIN STORY
Honestly, I'm not to worried about this given that Spider-Man's first appearance will be in
Captain America: Civil War (most likely), giving the character an out to the origin story we've all heard but it needs to be said. There is absolutely no reason why we should have to go through another origin story. Everyone knows how Peter becomes Spider-Man. It is the level of iconic that Bruce Wayne's origin is. Honestly, running parallel to what WB is doing with Batman is certainly not a bad way of handling a reboot, especially so soon after the last one (two years guys, two years). It's just unnecessary and will cause the audience to become bored with the new franchise before it really has hit its stride. Go forth. No one will miss the origin story.
So, those are the five things I think Sony should do to continue with their new franchise. Hit the ground running and keep up the momentum. Honestly, third chances like this are rare and, especially given how great an opportunity this is, it would suck if they [frick]ed it up. Just my thoughts but what are your's? Comment below and let me know!