Official: Spider-Man to team up with Marvel Cinematic Universe

It’s official, Sony are lending Spider-Man back to Marvel as the web-slinger is set to become part of the Marvel cinematic universe.

What this means is that Spider-Man will be seen in an as yet unspecified Marvel movie, likely Captain America: Civil War given the character’s importance to that story, and that Sony will then release a new Spider-Man movie on July 28, 2017. Also Marvel head Kevin Feige will join outgoing Sony chairperson Amy Pascal as a producer on the new movie.

Sony retain the cinematic rights to the character, as they have since 1999, and have final creative control. They will also continue to finance, distribute, own the new Spider-Man movies. As well as Spidey entering the MCU there is also talk of characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe into future Spider-Man films.

It appears likely that Sony will split from the The Amazing Spider-Man timeline, meaning the future of the Sinister Six and Venom films are in doubt, and reports circulating that Andrew Garfield is out. The Amazing Spider-Man 2, despite making $708m, is considered a disappointment, as the first outing made $758m worldwide, and ranks as the lowest Spider-Man haul of the 5 films to date.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter Feige said “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 is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans,” said Sony chairman and CEO Michael Lynton.

This news has had a knock-on effect on the previously announced Marvel films from 2017 onwards. Thor: Ragnarok has moved from July 28th, 2017 to November 3rd, Black Panther has moved from November 3rd to July 6th, 2018, Captain Marvel from July 6th, 2018 to November 2nd, and Inhumans has moved from November 2nd, 2018 to July 12th, 2019. For now, Avengers: Infinity War Parts 1 & 2 are staying at their previously scheduled release dates of May 4th, 2018 and May 3rd, 2019 respectively.