It's been over two years since Marvel Entertainment approached Sony Pictures with an offer they just couldn't refuse - to integrate Spider-Man, the crown jewel of superheroes, into the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe - and while, many have debated the exact intricacies of the unprecedented agreement, it apparently came together quite seamlessly, according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. "It really came down to me telling Amy in her office that I think the best thing for this character is: Sony has the rights, that's not changing. Have Sony pay for the movie, distribute the movie, market the movie. Just let us make the movie and incorporate him into our universe."
With Spider-Man: Homecoming premiering next week, The Hollywood Reporter has composed an extremely compelling piece on the groundbreaking deal, revealing with it a ton of previously unknown new details about the role Tom Holland's Spidey will play in the MCU as well as in Sony's planned SpiderVerse spin-offs.
First up, the budget for Homecoming comes in at just around $175 million (without P&A), a figure both Feige and Amy Pascal fought for after Marvel Entertainment CEO Ike Perlmutter initially set the budget at an insane $275 million, which would have surpassed the costs of every Spider-Man film that came before it, including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 3, which had a hefty, but justified, $258 million budget. The final budget puts it right above the budgets of fellow MCU first outings: Iron Man ($140M), Thor ($150M), and Captain America: The First Avenger ($140M).
The smaller budget is certainly a smart move and makes a lot of sense, especially considering how much Sony has riding on Homecoming, a film the studio hopes can resonate with fans and be embraced by them in a similar manner to the beloved Raimi trilogy. Also, according to THR's sources, the Jon Watts-directed feature has been tracking really well, scoring in the low 90s and is on track for a near-$100 million opening weekend.
As for the various spinoffs, Venom is the first up on the docket, due out October 5, 2018, and has Academy Award-nominated star Tom Hardy (Dunkirk) headlining with Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) directing. THR also confirms that the one-and-only Cletus Kasady a.k.a. Carnage will indeed be the villain of the piece. They unfortunately don't have any casting rumors to report, but with a fall production start date, it's more likely than not we'll hear something by the end of the summer, if not sooner.
Whether or not Holland appears is yet-to-be seen as he is currently only contractually obligated for appearances in a second and third installment in the Homecoming trilogy as well as the currently filming Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War, but the studio's intention is to ultimately bring his wall-crawler into the multiple spinoff films to pit him against his greatest foes (meaning yes, the spinoffs will, on some undefined level, exist in the MCU continuity). Appearances in other Marvel films are also in the cards.
Silver & Black, which focuses on the characters Silver Sable and Black Cat, has Gina Prince-Bythewood (Cloak & Dagger) helming and is also eyeing a fall production start date, so expect to hear casting news relatively soon. Additionally, Sony is also cooking up projects that will feature classic Spidey villains Kraven the Hunter and Mysterio, although it's unclear whether those characters will be seen first in their own spinoffs or if they'll be utilized in a future Homecoming sequel.
Finally, looking ahead to July 5, 2019, Marvel will lend another still-to-be determined Avengers character to Sony for the untitled Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel, but it doesn't sound like it'll be Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man.
So, what do you guys think? Sound off with your thoughts below!
A young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.
Spider-Man: Homecoming features:
Director: Jon Watts
Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Marisa Tomei as May Parker
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man
Michael Keaton as Adrian Toomes/Vulture
Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan
Donald Glover in an undisclosed role
Logan Marshall-Green in an undisclosed role
Bokeem Woodbine as Herman Schultz/Shocker
Zendaya Coleman as Michelle
Laura Harrier as Liz Allan
Tony Revolori as Flash Thompson
Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds
Michael Barbieri as Jason Macendale
Kenneth Choi as Principal Morita
Martin Starr as Mr. Harrington
Hannibal Buress as Coach Wilson
Isabella Amara as Sally
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Jorge
J.J. Totah in an undisclosed role
Selenis Leyva as Ms. Warren
Abraham Attah as Abraham
Michael Mando in an undisclosed role
Garcelle Beauvais in an undisclosed role
Tyne Daly in an undisclosed role
Tiffany Espensen as Cindy
Angourie Rice as Betty Brant (rumored)
Martha Kelly in an undisclosed role
Michael Chernus as Phineas Mason/Tinkerer
Jona Xiao in an undisclosed role
Christopher Berry as Lenny Ballinger
Tunde Adebimpe as Mr. Cobwell
Ethan Dizon as Tiny
Spider-Man: Homecoming swings into theaters July 7