“Is this the reaaaaal liiiiife?” – Peter Parker entering Avengers Tower at some point, probably
All the rumors we’ve been hearing for months on end finally have an answer. That’s right, Spider-Man is officially going home to Marvel Studios and the Avengers.
The rumors first began with the Sony Pictures hacks. Confidential emails were leaked online showing Sony and Marvel in talks about your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. In a late announcement last night, Marvel released a statement on their website that they’re officially working with Sony to bring Spider-Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The press release states that the studios are looking to take Spider-Man “in a new creative direction,” which likely means Andrew Garfield will not reprise his role. With Garfield at the helm, this means a chance for a fresh start. Miles Morales, anyone?
Spider-Man will cameo in another Marvel movie before headlining his own film again. Many reports believe he will first show up in Captain America: Civil War.
Peter Parker played a pivotal role in the comic Civil War storyline but it doesn’t make sense for the MCU to follow that arc of the Superhero Registration Act, particularly given that secret identities aren’t really a thing in Marvel films. Still, they could come up with a new role for him to play, especially if they move away from Peter Parker.
Spider-Man will then get his own solo film (again), co-produced by Marvel exec Kevin Feige and soon-to-be-ex-Sony-exec Amy Pascal. This solo film halts Sony’s Spider-verse films (like Sinister Six) and pushed back all Marvel films starting with Thor: Ragnarok (this solo Spider-Man film has taken its place), except for Avengers: Infinity War Part I and II which will keep its current dates.
A lot of the big-shots involved have released statements about this merger, including Bob Iger, Disney CEO:
“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.”
Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment:
“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. This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans.”
Doug Belgrad, president, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group:
“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.”
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige:
“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.”
Many fans are excited by this. Spider-Man has a long history with the Avengers, and a fun one as well. He could bring a very new dynamic for the team, or even help usher in a new team alongside Black Panther as other heroes step down.
So what do you think? Are you excited about Spider-Man coming into the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Who would you cast as Spider-Man and which version? Peter Parker, Miles Morales, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments!