Sony Exec, Sanford Panitch, has hinted that Sony's shared Marvel Universe plan will kick-off with Spider-Man: No Way Home. For years, Sony's film rights to Marvel's Spider-Man have been a convoluted web of tension and confusion. However, by far, the most interesting part of the Spider-Man rights saga, was when Sony and Marvel collaborated to bring Spider-Man into the MCU. The deal brought viewers a slew of films set in the MCU, with Tom Holland taking on the Spider-Man role for six films. The shared ownership raised an interesting idea that MCU's Holland can technically appear in Sony's Marvel films.
Meanwhile, Sony has also continued growing and expanding their own Marvel Universe. Venom was released in 2018, and its sequel will be premiering in 2021. Kraven the Hunter will debut in 2023 and suspiciously will star former MCU-Quicksilver Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Taylor-Johnson's casting is likely coincidence, but it is an interesting MCU and Sony connection. Meanwhile, Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Multiverse, has already craftily introduced the idea of intertwining worlds. Despite connections, teases, and open possibilities, fans have long waited for a clear answer on if, and when, the MCU and Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters will actually cross.
As reported by Variety, Sony Exec, Panitch, has suggested that Spider-Man 3 will kick-off a shared Marvel Universe. While addressing the ongoing tensions and barriers that inhibit MCU Spider-Man from appearing in Sony's Marvel films, Panitch revealed that they do have a plan, which he believes fans are starting to catch onto. Sparing the details, he indicated that the tensions will be resolved, and that things will be a lot clearer when Spider-Man 3 releases. Check out his statement below:
There actually is a plan. I think now maybe it’s getting a little more clear for people where we’re headed and I think when ‘No Way Home’ comes out, even more will be revealed. The great thing is we have this very excellent relationship with Kevin [Feige]. There’s an incredible sandbox there to play with. We want those MCU movies to be absolutely huge, because that’s great for us and our Marvel characters, and I think that’s the same thing on their side. But we have a great relationship. There’s lots of opportunities, I think, that are going to happen.
Panitch was careful not to give fans too many clues about how this tension is going to be resolved, but the gist of his statement is that something will happen in Spider-Man 3 that may open the door for a shared Marvel universe. This, of course, brings fans immediately back to the rumor that Spider-Man 3 will introduce the multiverse and feature former Spider-Man actors, Andrew Garfield and Toby Maguire. While Garfield has denied involvement, the theory has still been supported with Alfred Molina's return as Doc Ock for Spider-Man 3 and by WandaVision's setting up of the multiverse. Panitch suggested that Kraven will hold answers as well, which makes one question if Sony's previous and upcoming Marvel films are all connected to the MCU in a way that will be clearer as time progresses.
While it remains to be seen how exactly Spider-Man 3 will set up the shared universe, Panitch seems pretty confident about the future. It is a far cry from the years when Sony and Marvel fought over Holland, grappled for Spider-Man, and nearly pulled out Spider-Man from the MCU completely. The sudden reconciliation and decision to continue sharing the character has long made fans suspect that there was something big in the works behind the scenes. However, this is big news not only for the crossover films that may arise from it, but for the hope it raises for Holland as his six-film contract with Marvel ends with Spider-Man: No Way Home. If the third Spider-Man installment truly does open the doors for Spider-Man to swing between universes, this may not be the last time Holland appears onscreen as Spider-Man.
Source: Variety