Remember all the leaked reports about Marvel and Sony Pictures trying to work something out so Spider-Man can join the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Sony and Marvel Studios would share the rights to the character, there would be a new version of Spider-Man introduced in Captain America: Civil War come 2016, and Sony would still have their own Spider-Man movies and spin-offs.
It's happening.
Marvel announced on their site last night that the two studios have come to an agreement that will have Spider-Man appear in his first Marvel film from the MCU. After that, Sony Pictures will release a new Spider-Man on July 28, 2017. That new film will be co-produced by Marvel's Kevin Feige and Sony's Amy Pascal, and they will collaborate on a new creative direction for Spider-Man. This deal will have Sony Pictures continue to finance, distribute, own and have creative control over the Spider-Man films.
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said:
"I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie. 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."
Since Sony and Marvel are going to be taking Spider-Man in a "new creative direction," there's no word on the future of Andrew Garfield (Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2) and the franchise he belongs to. All we know is that Spider-Man will appear in the MCU first, and then star in his own movie. It looks like the Sinister Six movie that Sony had planned for 2016 is done, as is The Amazing Spider-Man 3. If anything, Sinister Six might still happen, but after the new direction of Spider-Man is introduced.
So, a new Spider-Man movie on July 28, 2017. While this is great news, I can't help but be a little disappointed that Sony is still in the fold at all. I wish Marvel reacquired full control of Spider-Man. But I guess I'll take what I can get.
