Just when we thought all of the Marvel character rights were technically under the Disney umbrella after their merger with Fox, the company is now in a fight with Sony over Spider-Man. Is the web-slinger really going to exit the Marvel Cinematic Universe? And, if so, what does that mean for Tom Holland?
According to Deadline, Disney and Sony are not seeing eye to eye in their negotiations for future Spider-Man films. If they can’t figure things out, this could end a partnership that has made both companies hundreds of millions of dollars. Sony has control over the Spider-Man character, and Marvel won’t be able to use him if the two companies can’t make a deal.
https://twitter.com/Edwashere1980/status/1164357750069088256
However, MCU fans shouldn’t freak out just yet. The issue seems to be over a producer credit for Marvel President Kevin Feige, and the “negotiations are ongoing,” said a Sony spokesperson.
“Much of today’s news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige’s involvement in the franchise,” said the Sony rep. “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.”
Before Feige brought Tom Holland’s version of the character into the MCU during Captain America: Civil War, Sony struggled at the box office with Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man sequel. Holland’s first solo film – Spider-Man: Homecoming – brought in $880 million worldwide, and Spider-Man: Far From Home has topped the $1 billion mark.
If you add in the box office receipts from Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Holland has starred in MCU films that have grossed more than $8 billion. The 23-year-old Brit is a global superstar at this point, and this doesn’t seem like the right time to end his run as the popular character
However, Sony has its own plans for Spidey after winning an Oscar for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
🚨Statement – Update🚨
-Tom Holland’s contract with Sony includes 3 solo films.
-He was cast to paly Spider-Man in the MCU.
-Jon Watts is not signed on for a third Spider-Man film.
-More information by Kevin Feige coming on Saturday at D23. pic.twitter.com/S3DijRbfjr
— MCU Fanatics (@MCU_Fanatics) August 22, 2019
In 2015, Marvel asked Sony for the character rights so they could bring him into the MCU, and they made a deal that gave Disney five percent of the first-dollar box office gross. But now, Disney wants to renegotiate for 50 percent of the first-dollar box office gross with the condition that they fund 50 percent of future films.
This did not go over well with Sony and they rejected the proposal, and then Disney pulled Feige from all future Spider-Man projects. When it comes down to it, Sony thinks they can have their own success with Spider-Man, and they don’t need Feige or the MCU.
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However, this is not set in stone – yet. There’s still a chance that the two companies will come to an agreement.
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