Will Spider-man FINALLY Join the MCU?

A recent report suggests a deal might have been struck.

Story by Matt Cummings

With the recent hack of Sony Pictures' servers, we've learned a lot about the inner workings of Hollywood. Some of it has been interesting and has actually yielded quite a lot of data on Marvel's relationship with the struggling studio. At the top of that is Sony's continued reluctance to allow Marvel to use Spider-man in its MCU. To Sony, the answer's always been, "You sold us the rights, and you'll have to wait until we're done with them." A Spidey reference almost made it into 2012's The Avengers, with Oscorp Tower slated to appear in the New York skyline before that plan was nixed. Now, a recent report suggests that Marvel might be one step closer to getting one of its prized properties back.

According to a report by Latino Review, Sony and Marvel have agreed to bring Spider-man into the MCU, just in time for Avengers: Infinity War. We're not sure why he won't be appearing in the more logical Captain America: Civil War, but it's clear that a January meeting with Sony Pictures execs perhaps yielded the results that every Marvel fan has desired: it's ok to let your property (which really isn't yours anyways) to be lent out on occasion. The story also gets deep into rumors about Phase 3, which also suggests that a rumor of a Tobey Maquire/Andrew Garfield team-up wasn't happening. Thank God.

This report makes us wonder whether Sony has any plans for Spider-man going forward, including Sinister Six or a rumored female team-up. In the end, the studio's rather disastrous recent entry The Amazing Spider-man 2 set Sony on a creative tailspin, proving that the studio needs help from the outside to resurrect their label. It also tells us a lot about the possible situation Marvel's Phase One heroes might find themselves at the end of Age of Ultron. With rumors of Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth desiring to leave their respective franchises - and with a new set of heroes coming in Doctor Strange, Black Panther, The Inhumans, and all of the Netflix characters who will arrive soon - it's clear that we're going to need a hero to bring them all together. Who better to do that than Spider-man?

This helps both studios a lot. For Sony, it helps to keep the Spider-man brand (surely something that cannot be resurrected at this point) on the front burner while Marvel can use him and all of his allies and enemies in future films. What fans are still asking is, "Why not Civil War?" Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have stated that their script is finished, but isn't it possible that some mention of the Web Head could be scattered throughout the film. That still seems likely, and it would be to their benefit to try inserting him if they can.

Another question that arise: who will play Peter Parker? Marvel has stated that Andrew Garfield will not return, which means audiences will once again have to welcome a new actor into that role. Are we ready for that...again? And, how can a company like Marvel who actually still owns the Spider-man name 'grant it' to Sony in the first place, only to have to make a deal to bring him back? Both studios will need to come out and address this, as the inclusion of a once top-name in comic book movies is now being lent out in an attempt to jump start it again.

Who would you like to see play the role of Spider-man in Avengers: Infinity War? Is Sony making the right decision in sharing its franchise with Marvel?

Discuss this story with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.

Source: Latino Review