In news so huge that it crashed Marvel.com, the company just announced that Spider-Man is heading to the actual Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kevin Feige (Marvel) will produce the3 film alongside Amy Pascal (who just stepped down as Sony’s co-chairman). Spider-Man is joining the same universe that incorporates the Avengers.
Not only that, but Marvel has announced a release date for their first Spider-Man movie and pushed back their Captain Marvel movie. The announcement indicates that Spider-Man will appear in a Marvel movie (probably Captain America: Civil War, since he was the heart and soul of that storyline) and then Sony will release his next solo film on July 28, 2017, although Marvel’s Kevin Feige will produce it.
The news is that Marvel (through Feige) and Sony (through Pascal) will then work together to create a new direction for Spider-Man, which will likely line up more with the Marvel style of comic book movies. Sony still has final say over the direction of Spider-Man, but there is no way that Marvel climbs into bed with Sony without being heavily involved in that direction.
The announcement also suggest that Marvel wants to integrate Spider-Man with other Marvel characters which means that he will be part of the large Marvel universe, despite remaining a Sony property.
“I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie,” Feige said in the press release. “Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world’s most beloved characters. 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.”
Sony made it clear that Spider-Man will remain Peter Parker, putting to rest the thought that they might move to the Ultimate Universe’s Miles Morales. There is no word yet on whether Andrew Garfield will return as Peter Parker, although he was great in both Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel.
The news also resulted in the release dates changing for other movies. The new release dates are as follows:
July 28, 2017 – Spider-Man
Nov. 3, 2017 – Thor: Ragnarok
May 4, 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War Part 1
July 6, 2018 – Black Panther
Nov. 2, 2018 – Captain Marvel
May 3, 2019 – Avengers: Infinity War Part 2
July 12, 2019 – The Inhumans
can’t frickin’ wait!!!!