We’re fast approaching Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker’s interaction with his comic book counter parts has delighted fans in Captain America: Civil War and for the first time in a long time fans are getting a Peter Parker who really reflects the comic books. Fans are getting excited about the character and the new cast of characters. Marvel and Sony have announced a joint R-Rated Spider-Man universe featuring Venom, and a female centered film called Silver and Black focusing on two leading females from Peter Parker’s love life. It’s a killer line up, but fans have been left curious about how the new Spider-Man: Homecoming connects to the MCU, and where these new films fit in.
Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter we might have some answers, as well as some insight into the ground breaking deal that brought spider-man “home”. Going back in time to October 2014, Sony Pictures Co-Chairman was faced with a very tempting proposal from Marvel C.E.O Ike Pearlmutter. Bring on Marvel as a producer for a rebooted spider-man franchise. Spider-Man, the crown jewel of Sony’s intellectual properties. At nearly 4 billion dollars, Peter Parker’s adventures had made for the top grossing comic-book franchise prior to the MCU steadily racking up 11.7 billion at the box office. Creatively spent, Marvel had a solution. According to studio president Kevin Feige, it was far simpler then anyone could guess.
“It really came down to me telling Amy in her office that I think the best thing for this character is: Sony has the rights, that’s not changing, Have Sony pay for the movie, distribute the movie, market the movie. Just let us make the movie and incorporate him into our universe.”
With Amy Pascal transitioning into producing, her co-chairman replacement Tim Rothman agreed to the deal. With a budget of 175 million, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker has a budget in common with the first films of Captain America and Iron Man and an apparent on-set vibe that reminded all concerned of John Hughes. Director Jon Watts encouraged the cast to bond by – among other things – going to an aquarium and an amusement park. Zendaya was a big force in that. “Zendaya came up with a really interesting game that brought everyone closer together immediately, where you sit in a circle and you honestly have to tell everyone your first impression of meeting them.” said Holland. Given that Feige and Pascal were given a mandate of “Direct a movie like John Hughes would have directed it that sounds like where they’re going.
The biggest questions have been where fan favorites like Venom might intersect with Holland’s Spider-Man. So far no plans are official, Hardy’s Venom is slated for an October 5th 2018 release date and will apparently feature the very popular fan favorite villain Carnage (so popular in fact that Hamilton creator Lin Manuel Miranda was quoted as saying he’d like to play him). Plans are also underway for Mysterio the special effects wizard villain to have a project, as well as Kraven the Hunter. Between that, it would appear that the Marvel and Sony partnership has reinvigorated the Spider-Man franchise. With over 900 characters, all agree that Sony is focusing on slowly building a world as opposed to trying to thrust everything on everyone at once.
“Suddenly this goes from being a third reincarnation and a sixth movie to a first.” said Feige, “It’s the first time Spider-Man gets to interact in a world where he belongs.”
It’s clearly the Spider-Man movie we deserve.
Are you excited? Do you think this deal can work? Who would you like to see out of Spider-Man’s universe jump into the MCU? Intrigued? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
Spider-Man: Homecoming hits theaters July 7th 2017.