Marvel’s Kevin Feige to Produce Next Installment of the Spider-Man Franchise with Amy Pascal
Sony Pictures Entertainment and Marvel Studios announced today that Sony is bringing Marvel into the amazing world of Spider-Man.
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.
This is pretty exciting news, all things considered, and ends months of intense speculation. The speculation goes further back than a few months, but the heavy speculation and “smoke” is what I am referring to. Where there is smoke, there is almost always fire. It turns out that this was no exception to the rule.
This is exciting because Marvel has consistently been able to take their characters to really good places. I believe this can very largely be attributed to Kevin Feige’s involvement. Of course there are many other creative minds at work making the MCU good as well and I hope many of them get a chance to be involved as well.
On the other hand, Sony has been pretty consistent — at least with the Marc Webb incarnation of Spidey — at producing bland and lackluster stories in the Spider-Man universe. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was a particularly awful installment in the franchise.
I now have a reason to appreciate the Marc Webb series: the awfulness of that mess led directly to Marvel regaining a semblance of control over the character.
So let’s look at the specifics we know.
- ”...the new Spider-Man”: This indicates a break in any continuity with any known Spider-Man on screen — which is a good thing in my opinion. Marvel remaking him is going to be a great thing.
- ”...will first appear in a Marvel film from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe (MCU)”: This could mean one of two things. Either 1). he’ll appears in the first MCU film that is still being filmed (Captain America: Civil War), or 2). he’ll appear in The Avengers: Infinity War. I think both of these idea have their merits, but I lean toward him appearing in Civil War because that’s coming in 2016 and I’m sure Sony is anxious to get cracking on their own new Spidey movie. The Marvel press release says he will appear first in an MCU film. Middle of 2018 may be a bit long to wait. But either way, there is little doubt Spidey will join The Avengers in phase three.
- ”...on July 28, 2017”: So we have a solid release date — as solid as these things can be I mean, but it’s in print — for the second reboot of the Spider-Man franchise. This just bolsters my idea that he’ll appear first in Civil War. Let’s hope they get it right. Speaking of getting it right…
- ”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.”: All good signs. But…
- ”Sony Pictures will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control of the Spider-Man films.”: Noooooooooooooo. Bad plan. Just let Marvel have final say, please!
- ”Marvel and Sony Pictures are also exploring opportunities to integrate characters from the MCU into future Spider-Man films.”: In general. the future here seems bright.
Overall, I’m excited about all the possibilities!