Update: THR has some additional details on Marvel's Spider-Man deal with Sony worth checking out. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad have apparently "been downgraded to executive producers, with no real say in the creative direction of the franchise." Sources have also told the site that director Marc Webb won't be back for the next Spider-Man movie, which won't be an origin story, according to WSJ's Ben Fritz.
But the biggest thing from THR's report is Marvel still might eventually try to purchase the Spider-Man film rights, or (if it becomes an option) buy Sony. Thoughts?
One knowledgeable source sees the move as a first step to Marvel reacquiring the rights to Spider-Man down the road, while another believes Disney is positioning itself to acquire Sony should it ever become available.
Original: New details have emerged about Spider-Man joining Marvel's Cinematic Universe, as well as what's going on with Sony's planned VENOM and THE SINISTER SIX spinoffs.
We'll start with the WSJ, who has confirmed Spider-Man will appear in CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. The character plays a major role in the Civil War comic series, so this doesn't come as a huge surprise.
The site goes on to say Sony "will rethink its approach to Sinister Six, which remains in development, in light of the new agreement with Marvel." Variety has heard the same thing, and they add the studio is also moving forward with the Venom movie, and "a film that features female characters in the “Spider-Man” universe," something we learned was in the works back in August.
Andrew Garfield is out as Spider-Man, and sources have told Variety Sony "is looking to go back to Spidey’s roots and put the character back in high school, which would require it to cast a younger actor." Hopefully this doesn't mean we'll be getting a third origin story.
One last interesting note from Variety's report: Although Marvel's Kevin Feige is involved with the new Spider-Man movie, sources say "he currently is not expected to be creatively involved with the spinoffs."
So there's the latest on Sony and Marvel's Spider-Man plans. Of course I'm excited about the web-slinger finally appearing on the same screen as Captain America and Iron Man in a live-action film, however I am still concerned about Sony's spinoff films. And not to be a negative nancy, but just because Marvel and Sony are working together on projects featuring Spider-Man doesn't mean they won't f*ck things up with the character. Marvel hasn't had an outright terrible movie yet, and I really hope their first one won't be SPIDER-MAN.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR will be in theaters on May 6, 2016, and Sony/Marvel's SPIDER-MAN is scheduled to open on July 28, 2017.