Spiderman may just end up leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That was the news I read last night while I was browsing the internet.
I was shocked to read that, especially after the big news that Spiderman: Far From Home just hit the 1 billion dollar mark and that it was the highest grossing movie for Sony of all time.
The website Deadline was the first to report that the negotiations between Sony and Marvel to extend the deal they have about Spiderman had hit a stalemate and that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would lose its’ Spiderman.
However in a statement made by Sony they said that the news was mischaracterized saying that they were disappointed that head honcho Kevin Feige would not be helming the new movie but someone else. Kevin Feige seems to be busy with recently acquired X-men, Deadpool and architecting Marvel’s phase four and five.“Much of today’s news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige’s involvement in the franchise,” says a Sony spokesperson. “We are disappointed, but respect Disney’s decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live action Spider-Man film.”
The studio then says Feige, who shepherds the robust Marvel Cinematic Universe for Disney-owned Marvel, may just have too much on his plate, given that Disney recently acquired additional Marvel characters via its acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
“We hope this might change in the future, but understand that the many new responsibilities that Disney has given him – including all their newly added Marvel properties – do not allow time for him to work on IP they do not own,” says the statement. “Kevin is terrific and we are grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue.” As per Hollywood Reporter.
Spiderman’s unique deal
Back in the 1990’s Marvel Entertainment sold the movie rights to various movie studios in order to prevent bankruptcy. So The X-men and The Fantastic Four were sold to Fox Studios and Spiderman was sold to Sony Pictures.
There are myths that Sony could have bought the entire Marvel catalogue with all the characters but Sony said no because they didn’t believe that the rest of the characters would make much bank at the box office but Spiderman would so they solely bid on Spiderman.
Little did they know that the Superherohype would start soon after in the beginning of the 2000s. First with the X-men movies and then with Sam Raimi’s Spiderman and The Fantastic Four.
When the superhero hype went full steam ahead, comicbook rights became hot property. So Sony had no intention to give back the rights because they were sitting on a potential goldmine that consisted of all the flagships Marvel had.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe, owned by Disney, cut a special deal with Sony to have Spiderman appear starting in Civil War and Kevin Feige would produce (read: finance) the Spiderman movies.
However, Disney wanted a bigger cut and Sony didn’t want that and pulled the plug of this historical deal.
Let us know in the comments what you think of Spiderman potentially leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe!
