Spider-Man Officially Joins The Marvel Cineverse
In a joint press release on Marvel.com, Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have announced that they are collaborating to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel cineverse and create new Spider-Man movies together. After lots of speculation and rumors, a deal Spider-Man fans have wanted has become a reality. A new Spider-Man will make his first appearance in a Marvel movie, followed by a standalone movie on July 28, 2017. The only announced Marvel movies between now aand the standalone film are Captain America: Civil War and Dr. Strange, which means Spider-Man will likely be in Civil War. The Spider-Man standalone film is the exact date as previously announced Thor: Ragnarock, which likely means that Thor will be moved back a month.
Rumors of Spider-Man's appearance in Avengers: Infinity Wars now seem extremely valid. The most interesting part of the press release is this: "Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films." This is the only thing that gives me pause about the whole deal. But thankfully, Sony's control is limited to Spider-Man films. This deal opens up so many stories and characters to cross over, and as a fan, I could not be happier.
Via Marvel:
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."