Marvel and Sony learn to share and share alike.
By Brandon Wolfe
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios have struck a deal to jointly collaborate on the future of the Spider-Man character and franchise. Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige will produce the next batch of films featuring the webhead with just-departed Sony studio head Amy Pascal.
The tenets of the deal stipulate that Spider-Man’s next onscreen appearance will as part of a film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, followed by starring in his own film for Sony Pictures, to be released on July 28, 2017. This deal allows Sony to retain the rights to the character while also giving Marvel both access to the character as well as influence in his usage and direction, probably the closest to an “everybody wins” solution as was possible.
Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad, the producers of the recent Amazing Spider-Man films, will executive-produce.
Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of 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, the 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,” stated Doug Belgrad, president of the 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 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.”
This news does not hint at which upcoming Marvel Studios film Spider-Man will make his appearance in, but given that it will take place prior to Spidey’s next film, slated for release in 2017, the smart money is on Captain America: Civil War, the film around which the rumors of such an appearance initially revolved. Also presently unclear is who will take up the mantle as our third Spidey, since Andrew Garfield will almost certainly not be reprising the role.
Exciting times, folks.
Discuss this story with fellow SJF fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @SandwichJohnFilms, and follow author Brandon Wolfe at @BrandonTheWolfe.
Comments