Prior toCaptain America: Civil Warthe future of the friendly neighborhoodSpider-Manwas locked away in Sony’s glass cabinet. Thankfully, due to wise business sense, Sony and Marvel worked out a deal to bring the wall-crawler to the MCU to fantastic acclaim. Both collaborations,HomecomingandFar from Homewere such huge successes that they brought the superhero to the forefront of the new wave ofMarvel propertieslikeInfinity War. Sony too had aSpider-Manventure of their own. 2018’sSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewas an Academy Award-winning animated movie that expanded the possibilities forSpider-Manstories. These two competing spheres ofSpider-Mancaused a dispute between Sony and Marvel in 2019 that almost tore Tom Holland away from the MCU. Fan outrage, and Tom Holland’s own personal plea, returned the two companies to the table for another wise business decision. Tom Holland will continue as the webslinger in the as-yet-untitledSpider-Man 3.
In addition to monetary trades in the contract, one cannot help but wonder how much influence Sony will have in MCU films involvingSpider-Man? Will the two separateSpider-Man spheres overlap? The first tease of this possibility was at the end ofFar from Homewhere J.K. Simmons reprised his role as a new version of J. Jonah Jameson. J.K. Simmons played the character back in theSam RaimiSpider-Mantrilogynearly twenty years ago. Based on leaks and rumors surroundinguntitled Spider-Man 3, fans learned that severalcharacters from earlierSpider-Manfilmsare being incorporated into the new movie.
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From the “Sam Raimi-verse” additional to Jameson, the newSpider-Manwill seeAlfred Molina return as Doctor Octopus, and supposedly Tobey Maguire, who playedSpider-Manfor that film series.From the “Marc Webb-iverse,” 2014’sTheAmazing Spider-Man 2willoffer Jamie Foxx’s Electroand, rumor again, possibly Andrew Garfield as theSpider-manfrom that run too. Intriguingly, two additional pieces of information support an “MCU Spider-Verse.”Charlie Cox was reportedly spotted on set in Atlanta, Georgia during the filming ofuntitled Spider-Man 3. Cox playedDaredevilfor the Marvel Netflix universe.
Finally, Benedict Cumberbatch will play Doctor Strange, his last guest appearance on film before theMultiverse of Madnesssequel comes out in 2022. Could it be that much likeInto the Spider-Verse,untitled Spider-Man 3will introduce fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a conglomeration ofSpider-Manproperties? Could it be used to justify Sony’s ongoing sphere of in-universe-but-out-of-universe films likeVenom,Morbius, the Living Vampire,futureVenom 2,and a spin-off toInto the Spider-Verse,Spider-Women?
There are three problems that may arise here. The first is that using a single movie to tie into multiple future properties, or to a much grander media franchise, could be too cumbersome to be coherent, if not done carefully. Evidence of this was witnessed inThe Amazing Spider-Man 2where Sony shoved in several scenes just to promote future products. The scenes were too contrived for fans to be sensible plot points. The sequel performed so poorly they canceled any plans for future movies - at least, delayed them. Second, having all of these characters in the film might cause the same type ofbloat seen in 2007’sSpider-Man 3. That film suffered by the forced inclusion of Venom, on top of New Goblin and Sandman. Third, and possibly worse of all,untitled Spider-Man 3might tread already-seen ground.Into the Spider-Verseexplored the possibility of a multiverse with alternate timelines and different versions ofSpider-Man. IfSony wants to hook theirSpider-Manuniverseto that of the MCU’s, using the same successful template asInto the Spider-Versecould be a rehashed formula.
In light of theinclusion ofDoctor Strange, the method to whichSpider-Mangets involved with the multiverse should be different enough fromInto the Spider-Verse. Whereas the animated movie used technology, this one will likely use magic. Also, there is a chance that all these call backs to pastSpider-Manmovies will amount to nothing more than a ten second kaleidoscope scene for Peter Parker as he gets thrown into some type ofvortex or tear in the fabricof the universe. The movie may have nothing to do with any of the Sony movies except as humorous reference. If this is the case,untitled Spider-Man 3could go in an unexpected direction.
It will also be interesting to see which direction the Sony version ofSpider-Mangoes.Into the Spider-Versewill get a sequel, as well as the already mentioned spin-off featuring the all-female characters Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman and Silk.
It could just be fan cynicism that looks for the worse inuntitled Spider-Man 3,when it’s entirely possible that the sequel will be as awesome as the first two MCUSpider-Manmovies. Given the talent involved with the production, this is a near certainty.
