On Friday, the news broke that Sony Pictures and Disney/Marvel Studios had managed to put their differences aside in order to keep
Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (it really doesn't feel that long since we were writing about the fallout of Spidey's departure from that world).
A lot of different details started popping up online after that official confirmation and, honestly, it was hard to keep up! Now, we're taking a look at everything that's been revealed about this unexpected deal and what it means for the webbed warrior on the big screen over the coming years.
From the movie's release date to how Spider-Man will leap between two different worlds and rumours about how all that will work, we've got all the latest intel for you right here in one place.
So, to check out this feature in its entirety, simply click on the "View List" button down below!
Spider-Man Could Be Part Of Two Universes
In Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige's statement about the news, he noted that
"[Spider-Man] also happens to be the only hero with the superpower to cross cinematic universes." In other words, the wall-crawler is going to be featured in movies set in both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Sony Pictures' Spider-Verse.
Feige further alluded to that by adding that as
"Sony continues to develop their own Spidey-verse you never know what surprises the future might hold."
Common sense says that while Spider-Man will swing into another solo adventure in the MCU, we could also see him in the likes of
Venom 2 and
Morbius, The Living Vampire. Presumably, his appearances in each universe won't affect what we see in the other and if he battles Eddie Brock, we won't hear about it in
Spider-Man 3. However, there's another interesting wrinkle to this...
A Merging Of Worlds?
This is very hard to believe but one report claimed that
"as Sony progresses their own Marvel universe with titles [like] Venom 2 and Sinister Six, and Disney Marvel their own, there could be a ‘call and answer’ between the two franchises as they acknowledge details between the two in what is would loosely be described as a shared detailed universe."
Would Feige really want to reference the events of a movie like Morbius if it winds up being a critical and commercial disaster? He doesn't appear to even want any loose connections to MCU shows like Daredevil and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.!
Honestly, these ties will probably be as loose as Peter Parker mentioning a trip to San Francisco in his next solo outing (assuming he appears in Venom 2) or referencing Iron Man when he comes to blows with Morbius but given the announcement of that Madame Web movie, it's entirely possible that the web-slinger will end up literally travelling between worlds.
Spider-Man 3's Release Date
Sony Pictures has made sure to keep the new
Spider-Man movies swinging our way like clockwork and just like
Far From Home followed
Homecoming two years later, so too with this third chapter. Keeping the same month as the last two,
Spider-Man 3 will arrive on July 16th, 2021.
That's a prime spot and one that will see it arrive a week after the next Indiana Jones movie (expect that to be moved if it ever actually happens) and a week before
Mission: Impossible 7. That weekend, it has some competition in the form of
Space Jam 2 which is unlikely to hurt it.
We're Getting At Least Two More Spidey Stories In The MCU
As well as that solo outing coming our way in 2021, it's been confirmed that the web-slinger will appear in another movie set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That means another
Captain America: Civil War/
Avengers: Infinity War/
Avengers: Endgame-style appearance in a different franchise but looking at the Phase 4 slate, it's hard to say what that might be.
Honestly, with a
Fantastic Four movie on the horizon, it's almost certainly going to be that one.
After all, a cameo from Spider-Man would increase interest in a franchise Fox basically killed off, while also pleasing comic book fans who have dreamed of Peter Parker crossing paths with the Human Torch. We'll have to wait and see but expect this future appearance to happen soon.
The Financial Side Of Things
Disney/Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures only came to an agreement the night before this news broke on Friday but it sounds like they've been trying to figure out the finer details for months.
When things originally got heated between the two sides, Disney went from getting 5% of the first dollar gross to demanding a 50% co-financing stake. However, while Disney originally played hard ball, they backed down after D23 once it became clear that fans were not happy with them.
Now, Sony has agreed to the terms originally proposed by Disney which will see them co-finance the third movie in return for a 25% equity stake. For Sony, that's not too hard of a pill to swallow.
Jon Watts Is In Talks To Direct Spider-Man 3
Since the Disney/Sony split, we've heard rumblings that Marvel Studios was looking to poach Jon Watts from them for a future movie set in the MCU. Well, we may never know how much truth there is to that but it's now been confirmed that the filmmaker is in final talks to take the helm of the third instalment of the franchise he's steered to over $2 billion.
Regardless of whether this is the hero's final adventure in the MCU, it will be good for Watts to come back not only to keep things consistent but to potentially wrap up the character's arc.
The filmmaker has previously expressed interest in Kraven the Hunter, so you have to believe that he's a possible candidate for the movie's lead villain but if this really is going to be Spider-Man's last solo appearance in this shared world, perhaps they'll jump straight into the Sinister Six?
Spidey's Time In The MCU Could Be Nearing Its End
While it's said that there's a chance Spider-Man's time in the MCU could be extended beyond this new agreement, one reliable source claimed that Kevin Feige may also be looking for a way to wind down the web-slinger's involvement in this shared world once and for all.
Honestly, considering the fact
Spider-Man: Far From Home made over $1 billion and Sony still decided to go off and do things their own way despite that massive cliffhanger, you can't blame the Marvel Studios President for looking for a way to wrap the story up...just in case!
With any luck, Spidey will remain a fixture of the MCU but it's clearly still far from certain.
What Does Madame Web Have To Do With It?
Literally the day before this deal was made official, it was revealed that a
Madame Web movie is in the works. Now, it goes without saying that a character who has never had her own solo comic book series getting a movie to herself is more than a little weird but there may be a good reason for it.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse introduced the concept of a Multiverse (as did
Avengers: Endgame), so why can't the MCU - and Tom Holland's Peter Parker - be part of that?
This Madame Web movie could be used to explain how Spidey jumps between worlds and she might choose to enlist his help for threats in a universe - the "Spider-Verse" which is home to Venom and Morbius - which doesn't have a Spider-Man. It's a tad convoluted but it could work well.
Will The Deal Be Extended?
Your guess is as good as ours!
If Spider-Man 3 grosses over $1 billion, Sony Pictures will no doubt be happy to continue working with Marvel Studios, especially now it's clear that's what fans want. However, that 25% must have stung and should Spidey's appearances elsewhere prove to be a success, the day will come when they decide to go it alone.
Ultimately, this feels like a finite deal and while it's good that the events of
Spider-Man: Far From Home will be addressed in the MCU, maybe it's best if his story is wrapped up in 2021!
Disney Boss Bob Iger Reacts To The News
If you're shrugging away to yourself and wondering why everyone is making such a big deal over Spider-Man, look no further than the fact that even Disney CEO Bob Iger has weighed in on it:
It's crazy to see someone like Iger acknowledge this but Spidey's MCU departure because Disney wanted more money was an even bigger PR nightmare than James Gunn's firing, so this ultimately reflects well on them. Now, we just have to hope that they're able to keep this whole thing going...
What do you guys think the future holds in store for Spider-Man in both the MCU and Sony's Spider-Verse? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below!