The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is one of the more divisive superhero films in the last couple years. I enjoyed it but, it's got its issues that I have already covered in how it would have been better. But with Sony releasing Venom in 2017 along with a said female lead superhero film and with Sinister Six hitting in just a little over two years away. The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and 4 are being pushed back. They have room to expand and breathe and use their mistakes to their advantage. It's certainly ambitious as all they have is Spider-Man and his cast. But, you could have a great cinematic universe film. How could Sony save the franchise? Here's how I would do it IF I were running Sony (even though I would wait until The Amazing Spider-Man 3 for Venom).
Sinister Six
Sinister Six is set for November 11th, 2016 and is said to be a redemptive story. While yes, it could very well be horrible. But, how do you do a Sinister Six film without it being a Spider-Man film? The roster is hinted and more-less confirmed to be Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Rhino and Mysterio. Personally, I would keep the first four mentioned. I would put The Lizard as the fifth member as they've hinted at a return and I think that if it's a redemptive story and obviously the members are going to butt heads quite a bit as they have different reasons for joining, The Lizard would be an interesting character to put in the film to make it a more interesting dynamic. The sixth member would be Shocker. Again, would create an interesting dynamic. So let's go through the roster I would go with: Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, The Lizard and Shocker. This roster you can very easily see an interesting dynamic and where the conflict could be, etc. The film also gives us a chance to flesh out the villains before they face off against Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man 3 or 4. The interesting dilemma though would be, what motivations would the other villains have (save for Kraven, The Lizard and Green Goblin) to want to take out Spider-Man? As to those who will rip my head off for taking out Rhino. Maybe Rhino would be a failed member of Harry's attempt to put together Sinister Six during the end of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the beginning of 3. Who knows? Also, Mysterio is like the Ultimate Electro. Interesting visually but, nothing special that can make the character interesting as a whole.
Venom
How you go about a Venom movie without introducing Spider-Man is beyond me simply because Venom is created through the hatred of Spider-Man. Personally, I'd go with Eddie Brock. In the Ultimates, he has ties to Peters parents. The symbiote should take and be part of the spider venom from the spiders that Peter's dad embedded his dna with. This would ultimately explain how Eddie knows about Peter, etc. Weak I know but, this is the project that's most interesting cause there are so many villains but how do you go about it where, he still has his hatred for Spider-Man? Obviously the villain would be Carnage for obvious reasons. Carnage should be the darker version of Venom. This would create an interesting villain and dynamic. Especially given that Carnage is the spawn of Venom. Visually it would create for some interesting and hopefully intense fights. I don't know. This one is a tough cookie to crack. But, take what I said earlier with Eddie and the symbiote, somehow take and have it spawn the Carnage symbiote that finds its way to Cletus Kassidy and have him have some sort of personal vendetta against Eddie.
Female Lead Film
The character I would go with is Black Cat. Here you can further flesh out Felicity Jones' Felicia from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. We get to know more about her and why she is at Oscorp. Go into the backstory of her father and you can take it in a darker tone cause it was revealed at one point she initially learned how to fight so she can get revenge on her now ex boyfriend for raping her. She is a theif but is ultimately good obviously. The villain would be Silvermane as she would attempt to take him and his Maggia. The motivations of her taking him down specifically is by having him kill her father. She fakes her own death and ultimately is Black Cat perimantely. I think this could create a really good female lead superhero movie that's a bit darker than expected by could still flesh out the Spider-Man universe some more. I think it would be a missed opportunity to not have it be Black Cat.
The Amazing Spider-Man 3
Spider-Man would be going up against the Sinister Six as they are already fleshed out. He would have help in the form of Black Cat and they begin to have a very flirty, sexual tensioned relationship. She would have personal connections with Harry as well as would Peter. By now we would have six strong, relatable and threatening villains as well as a strong female superhero at Spidey's side while in the mean time is getting to know Mary Jane which is worse for Peter. While this wouldn't be my first instict for a Spider-Man 3. It would ultimately be different than the previous one and they've already set up Sinister Six. There is no way they couldn't do Sinister Six in the film. The film would be enhanced by the fact that we've fleshed out these characters already. The film would ultimately end with Peter and Mary Jane potentially starting a relationship while trying to stop Black Cat's robberies and will have Venom clearly go after Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man 4
All out Spider-Man vs. Venom film. This should be the most dramatic and intense Spider-Man film. More so than the third where he would be facing his best friend again. The fourth with Venom should be the most intense and dramatic simply because not only is Venom far stronger and faster than Spider-Man. He also knows everything about Spider-Man which would create for dramatic tension and suspense as not only can he block Spider-Man's Spider-Sense but also he can use Peter's guilt against him for getting his Uncle and Gwen killed. Take advantage of his guilt and Gwen's death. Peter should be convinced that the world is better off with Venom than Spider-Man. But, as it happens in superhero films. The good guy comes out on top.
This is just my brief take on how Sony can save the franchise after the sequels missteps. What do you guys think? Comment below with your thoughts.