In a shocking turn of events, Marvel Studios will no longer be involved with the production of Spider-Man movies.
According to Deadline, the decision stems from “an inability by Disney and Sony Pictures to reach new terms that would have given the former a co-financing stake going forward.” As for the next two currently planned Spider-Man films, both Homecoming and Far From Home director Jon Watts, as well as actor Tom Holland are expected to return. However, Marvel’s involvement in the project is doubtful, as Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has been “essentially nixed” by Sony.
This means that unless the two parties reconvene and iron out new terms, Spider-Man is out of the MCU. After Far From Home made over $1 billion globally, there will most assuredly be more Spider-Man movies, but they’ll happen without the MCU connections and crossovers that fans love. On the surface, this is a big blow since a key component of this Peter Parker was his relationship with Tony Stark and Far From Home explored his dynamic with Happy Hogan. Now, this aspect of the films is gone, and the creative team will need to find ways to write around it. Watts and company will be able to come up with something, but it remains to be seen if it’s a satisfying explanation for viewers. Fans were excited to see Spider-Man and related characters (like J. Jonah Jameson) continue to be a part of the larger MCU sandbox.
It seems Disney asked for all future Spider-Man projects to be a 50/50 co-financing arrangement between Marvel and Sony but the latter declined. Instead, Sony proposed leaving the current deal untouched, meaning Marvel would continue to receive approximately 5% of first-dollar gross while maintaining merchandising rights, which Disney refused. This, of course, comes hot on the heels of Spider-Man: Far From Home cementing itself as Sony’s highest-grossing film of all time, albeit with Marvel’s help.
Now in theaters, director Jon Watts’ Spider-Man: Far From Home stars Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, JB Smoove, Jacob Batalon and Martin Starr, with Marisa Tomei and Jake Gyllenhaal.
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