There was a time when Sony’s SPIDER-MAN franchise was the most bankable comic book property in Hollywood. However, that (unfortunately) seems like a very long time ago now, with films like THE AVENGERS and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER sweeping up the box office a regular basis.
It appeared as if Marvel Studios had all-but-eliminated their competition until this years X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST became a huge critical and financial success. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 however, failed to impress audiences or critics and ended up as the lowest grossing entry in the franchise. Many blamed the poor reception of the latest web-spinning adventure on Sony’s effort to establish a cinematic universe (by using multiple antagonists once again), which resulted in an overly bloated script with little room for character development. With interest in the series clearly waning with each successive instalment, Sony clearly need to re-think their cinematic strategy for this prized property.
A new report is now claiming that Sony has indeed decided to delay the upcoming AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3 as had been previously rumoured. This means that the final instalment in the new trilogy will arrive at some point in 2018, whereas the SINISTER SIX will arrive in theatres November 11th 2016. This slight change-up is said to be in response to the immense competition SPIDER-MAN now faces from Marvel Studios, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. Although Marc Webb is (reportedly) expected to return to complete his Spidey trilogy, I wouldn’t expect him or Andrew Garfield to stick around much longer after that. The report also mentions that although Jamie Foxx’s Electro seemingly perished in the latest movie, he will likely return for the SINISTER SIX, but not the third AMAZING SPIDER-MAN film.
This may be sad news for fans of the franchise, but at least Sony now have the time to properly re-think the wall-crawlers next solo outing, in order to deliver a satisfying conclusion to Webb’s trilogy. In the mean time however, Sony are apparently extremely happy with Drew Goddard’s early draft for the SINISTER SIX, so at least we have that to look forward to for just over two years time.
Check back with THN for more updates on THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 3 and SINISTER SIX!
Source: THR
