Sorry, AVENGERS fans – Spider-Man won’t be coming to a Marvel Cinematic Universe near you any time soon, as Sony Pictures has announced plans to release yearly instalments in the ever-expanding franchise, starting with THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3 in 2016.
That threequel now also has a director attached in the form of Marc Webb, who returns from THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 1 and 2 to complete his web-slinging trilogy. While Webb’s first sequel hasn’t even hit cinemas yet, work has already begun on his second, with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Jeff Pinkner currently writing the screenplay.
But with THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 4 already announced for 2018, Sony need something to fill the gap between the two main franchise films – which will most likely come in the form of the already announced VENOM or SINISTER SIX films.
Kurtzman is on board to direct VENOM, with Drew Goddard writing and directing THE SINISTER SIX. As Goddard is currently occupied by Netflix’s Daredevil series, it’s a pretty safe bet that we’ll be seeing VENOM between THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3 and 4 – which could lead up to the villain’s appearance in the latter (or follow on from his appearance in the former, wherever he shows up).
It’s clear that Sony already has plans to expand their cinematic universe with the alarming number of villains taking the stage in THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, so it’ll be interesting to see just how far they’re willing to take it. While Spider-Man’s universe is a lot smaller than, say, that of the Avengers, there’s a reason Spidey has more films and cartoon series than any other singular superhero – he’s the Marvel lead with the most universal appeal.
Still, with a film a year, audiences may begin to get tired of Spider-Man rather quickly. And that’s not to mention just who’ll be donning the Spidey suit in the spin-offs and sequels post-THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3, as Andrew Garfield has hinted he wants to move on after his contract is up.
We’ll no doubt have a clearer picture of Sony and Webb’s expanded SPIDER-MAN universe when THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 hits UK cinemas on 18th April, starring Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Paul Giamatti, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan and Sally Field.
Source: Variety
