The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with Disney's Alan Horn and Sony Pictures boss Tom Rothman to discuss a number of topics, including the split between the two studios which led to
Spider-Man (briefly) departing the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A disagreement over money is what caused that, but backlash from fans and filmmakers led to both sides restarting talks.
"The fan base, which is important to all of us, seemed to really respond to what Tom and his folks have done before with our people," Horn explains.
"They like the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Kevin Feige were involved [in the two Spider-Man films]. We heard feedback out there that suggested that joining forces once again was probably really a good idea."
While Sony came under fire for wanting to continue Spidey's stories without Marvel Studios, Disney was also branded "greedy" and it quickly became something of a PR nightmare for the studio.
Rothman was then asked about what happened and the trade mentioned that Sony has found success with Spider-Man away from Marvel Studios with the animated
Into the Spider-Verse.
"Yes, we have. But I agree with my distinguished colleague. This was a classic win-win-win. A win for Sony, a win for Disney, a win for the fans. The only thing I would say is that news cycles and the rhythm of negotiations do not necessarily overlap. And this is, in the words of Shakespeare, a consummation devoutly to be wished. We would have gotten there, and the news got ahead of some things."
Considering the fact that Disney CEO Bob Iger has revealed that it was Tom Holland who brought the two sides together after D23, it seems unlikely the press got ahead of themselves and that a deal was always a possibility (multiple outlets confirmed that both sides had walked away from the table).
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