Yesterday, Spider-Man fans were left quaking when it was announced that Marvel Studios and Sony had failed to reach a new agreement over the franchise, leaving MCU out of any future Spidey films.
According to Deadline, the studios were unable to reach an agreement over money. Marvel Studios’ parent company Disney were seeking a “50/50 co-financing agreement,” but Sony refused. They suggested a 5% of the first dollar grossing, but Marvel Studios said no.
When the news broke, fans started a petition to keep Spider-Man with Disney and the MCU which now has over 47K signatures. Even Hawkeye AKA Jeremy Renner got involved, taking to Instagram to say, “Hey @sonypictures we want Spider-Man back to @therealstanlee and @marvel please, thank you.”
Fans of the film aren’t the only ones mourning the split. Even IRL Spider-Man Tom Holland has made his feelings known. In the ultimate 2019 shade throw, Holland reportedly unfollowed Sony on Instagram.
Holland remained noticeably silent when it was announced that Sony and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige were cutting ties. Is this his way of publicly commenting on the break-up?
While many are speculating that Holland unfollowing Sony might muddy his future relationship with the franchise, Sony is reportedly planning two more Spider-Man films with Holland remaining in the lead role.
However, Jon Watts, who directed Homecoming and Far From Home, has not signed on to a third film and it’s looking like he won’t be returning. Deadline reports that Watts decision to exit the franchise “isn’t helped by the fact that” Marvel Studios head Kevin Fiege won’t be the creative lead going forward.
Credit: Visual China Group via Getty Images/Visual China Group via Getty Images
An even bigger question we were grappling with yesterday is what will MCU’s future look like with no reference to Spider-Man? We will just have to wait and see.