No, your eyes are not deceiving you. And yes, that is indeed the collective squeal of every geek, fanboy, fangirl and intelligent life form on the planet.
After months and months of speculation following the unexpected critical (and partially financial) failure of the AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2, Sony and Marvel Studios have now joined forces. Both companies have managed to work out a deal, that will allow everyone’s favourite webslinger to exist within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That means that worldwide audiences will now be able witness a brand new iteration of Spider-Man, who is no longer contractually forbidden from appearing alongside THE AVENGERS on the big screen (a sentence that brings a tear to my eye). The new franchise will be co-produced between Sony’s Amy Pascal and Marvel guru Kevin Feige, with the character said to be making his debut in an upcoming Marvel Studios production, before appearing in his own solo-outing.
Check out the full press release below:
Under the deal, the new Spider-Man will first appear in a Marvel film from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU). Sony Pictures will thereafter release the next installment of its $4 billion Spider-Man franchise, on July 28, 2017, in a film that will be co-produced by Kevin Feige and his expert team at Marvel and Amy Pascal, who oversaw the franchise launch for the studio 13 years ago. Together, they will collaborate on a new creative direction for the web slinger. Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films.
Marvel and Sony Pictures are also exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.
The new relationship follows a decade of speculation among fans about whether Spider-Man – who has always been an integral and important part of the larger Marvel Universe in the comic books – could become part of the Marvel Universe on the big screen. Spider-Man has more than 50 years of history in Marvel’s world, and with this deal, fans will be able to experience Spider-Man taking his rightful place among other Super Heroes in the MCU.
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO, The Walt Disney Company said: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel’s great characters, beloved around the world. We’re thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”
“We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. Marvel, Kevin Feige and Amy, who helped orchestrate this deal, are the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment. “This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
“Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios share a love for the characters in the Spider-Man universe and have a long, successful history of working together. This new level of collaboration is the perfect way to take Peter Parker’s story into the future,” added Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group.
“I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie,” said Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. “Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. Marvel’s involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU. I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years.”
Although the script may need some slight last minute re-writes, it would not be unreasonable to assume that Spider-Man will make his first appearance in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. This would allow the character to establish himself within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, before appearing in his first solo movie on July 28th 2017. With only two months before the film begins shooting, I would expect to find out if this is where Spidey will make his debut very soon. It would also mean the Marvel and Sony will have to decide on their new Peter Parker very quickly, in order to shoot his scenes early this summer. It is still slightly disappointing that Andrew Garfield will never get the opportunity to complete his trilogy as Spider-Man, but this news is undoubtedly worth the loss for Marvel fans.
Check back with THN for more updates on Spider-Man and the MCU as they come in.
Source: Marvel
