Kevin Feige Details How Marvel & Sony Saved The Spider-Man Deal

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reveals what went down behind the scenes from their brief split with Sony over the companies' Spider-Man collaboration. In 2015, the partnership between the studios allowed the MCU to feature Peter Parker after years of being isolated in his own franchise. Played by Tom Holland, the character has now appeared in five films — two of which are his standalone adventures, while another two are Avengers blockbusters.

Since the deal was finalized, Marvel Studios didn't waste time incorporating Peter into the MCU, introducing him in Captain America: Civil War instead of debuting him via a solo feature. This allowed them to establish his personal relationships with other heroes, particularly Tony Stark/Iron Man, which had been a mentor for the character until his death in Avengers: Endgame. Admittedly, not everyone is happy with the way Spider-Man has been handled in the universe. Persistent criticisms cite how Peter has been reduced to a mentor in the cinematic universe when he's a capable hero that can stand on his own two feet in the comics. Regardless of this, many were disappointed upon learning that Spider-Man would (temporarily) no longer exist in the MCU.

Fans were outspoken on social media about it, but behind closed doors, Feige revealed that people from both Marvel Studios and Sony were also emotionally impacted by the split. He shared that at one point, he was just grateful that they had the time with Spider-Man in the MCU. While he wasn't able to get into specifics, the producer then shared in a new video on Rotten Tomatoes that in the end, they decided to just move forward with the deal and not let politics complicate an otherwise working collaboration between all parties involved.

"There was a time when it looked like Marvel Studios would not be involved in Spider-Man movies going forward for Sony. It was only a few months, but it was an emotional few months for, I think, all of us on all sides. And a very public few months for whatever reason. I always want to look at the bright side, and the bright side is we got to make two great Spider-Man movies with Amy Pascal and [director] Jon Watts and [Sony Pictures MPG Chairman] Tom Rothman and Tom Holland, and I was very proud of that and very happy with that, and of course, wanted it to continue. I always want to be happy with what we have, instead of upset with what we don't."

"Luckily, Tom Rothman, and [then-Disney CEO] Bob Iger, and [Disney Studios Chairman] Alan Horn, and [then-Walt Disney Studios President] Alan Bergman, and Tom Holland himself all realized, 'Wouldn't it just be more fun if we just kept doing it? Let's not get business or politics in the way.'Because the deal always started with Amy Pascal and I having nothing to do with numbers, or contracts, or politics. It had to do with story, and a love of Spider-Man and Peter Parker and the Marvel universe. It thankfully has continued like that, and that's where we find ourselves now."

Holland had been vocal about how grueling this experience was for him. What made it worse is that it was the talk of the town during D23 2019 where Marvel Studios was announcing its Phase 4 slate, while he was also there to promote the animated movie, Onward, which he co-starred with Chris Pratt. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger belatedly revealed that the young actor played a part in the brokering of a new deal between Marvel Studios and Sony which has kept Spider-Man in the MCU and is the reason why Spider-Man: No Way Home is happening.

It's curious, however, how exactly this crisis was averted. Feige seemed to make it sound very simple as if everyone just got back on the table and realized it's the best for everyone involved to carry on with the partnership. But. chances are that it's not exactly the case. At the end of the day, there's a business aspect to this deal and Spider-Man is one of the most popular comic superheroes of all time. So, there must be a middle ground where everyone finally agreed to continue with the collaboration.

More: Every Character Confirmed For MCU Spider-Man 3 (So Far)

Source: Rotten Tomatoes