Many fans have longed for the day that Marvel regained the film rights to such properties as the X-Men, Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four, a desire that seemed to inch closer to reality in 2015 with the announcement that the studio stuck a deal with Sony Pictures to introduce the wall-crawler to the Marvel Cinematic Universe "Captain America: Civil War" and co-produce what would become "Spider-Man: Homecoming." While Sony maintains control of the web-slinger and his ancillary characters, one Marvel actor foresees a day when Peter Parker will return home to Marvel.

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Speaking with the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" star Dave Bautista discussed the upcoming slate of Marvel Studios films, and could barely contain his enthusiasm for "Spider-Man: Homecoming." In the process, he suggested the character's film rights could end up back with Marvel.

“'Spider-Man' is the one I’m really looking forward to. I love that kid – I love Tom Holland," he said. "I also love that they’re staying so true to the comics with this whole series and I think that’s because Marvel Studios has gotten involved. I think before, I think it was Sony who had control. And I think they’re doing a partnership now, but I think they will – I don’t know this for sure – but I think they’re going to re-acquire Spider-Man.”

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Marvel hasn't held the Spider-Man since film rights 1985, when the company sold them for a mere $225,000 (about $520,000 by today’s standards) over a five-year option period. Fuzzy contracts and overlapping agreements as the property changed hands led to an eight-year legal battle that ended in 1999 when MGM agreed to settle with Marvel, leaving Sony's Columbia Pictures division with the rights to produce live-action films. In more recent agreements, Marvel/Disney acquired the animated television and full merchandising rights to Spider-Man.

Arriving July 7, director Jon Watts' "Spider-Man: Homecoming" stars Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr.

(via Screen Rant)