The Marvel panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 was the gift that kept giving. Marvel president and producer Kevin Feige confirmed all projects for the Marvel Cinematic Universe's fifth phase, as well as three films from Phase Six. Between a new Daredevil show, a fourth Captain America film, a new Fantastic Four, and the announcement of two new Avengers films, Marvel fans have plenty to look forward to in the coming years.
However, with much of the Phase Six timeline unannounced, speculation has already begun on what films or shows will round out The Multiverse Saga. While there are an endless amount of superheroes who could fill this space, there's one that may be the perfect fit: Jessica Drew's Spider-Woman. Though there have been no recent updates on the Olivia Wilde-directed flick, Phase Six would be the perfect time to premiere her solo film. With rumors that the Secret Invasion Disney + series will debut her character and the MCU currently bare of any Spider-Man, Phase Six could be Jessica Drew's time to shine.
Rumors of a Jessica Drew Spider-Woman film began back in 2020 when Olivia Wilde was booked to direct a Sony/Marvel production. Social media blew up with speculation over which superhero the actor turned director would bring to life. Given her focus on female-led films, many assumed it would be a powerful female hero. Wilde would later tweet a spider emoji, greatly hinting that the film would be Spider-Woman.
There have been few details on the production since, with no word on filming, a release date, nor any story details. The exact Spider-Woman that she will be bringing to life has also not been confirmed. However, fans remain certain it will be Jessica Drew, a theory that only grew stronger after the announcement of Marvel's Secret Invasion. The Disney+ show is slated to release in early 2023 as part of Marvel's fifth phase. Though the plot details have been kept under wraps, Jessica Drew is a key player in the original comic. While on assignment with Nick Fury and the Avengers, Drew is ambushed and replaced by a Skrull imposter, Queen Veranke.
Adding more fuel to the Spider-Woman fire was the announcement that Emilia Clarke would be joining the show. Though there are several characters the talented and versatile actor could play, her likeness to Jessica Drew had fans convinced she was playing Spider-Woman. Given her level of stardom, it also made sense to have her play a role that would have high importance to both the Secret Invasion storyline and the Marvel/Sony cinematic universes moving forward. Introducing her character this way in Phase Five, before a big solo film in Phase Six, gives fans time to get used to her character, to get behind her story.
Phase Six is also a perfect time to introduce the character, as it seems this phase will be a largely Spider-Man-free era. The future of Tom Holland's Spider-Man is uncertain, and he doesn't appear to be getting a fourth film anytime soon. That said, it's likely he will appear in an Avengers film. It's also safe to say both Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire's Spider-Men have taken their final bows. While these characters will be greatly missed, this will work in favor of a Spider-Woman film. Without a Spider-Man actively starring in the MCU, one that Drew would be inevitably compared to, the character is free to find her own footing, unburdened by the shadow of Peter Parker.
However, Drew would not be the only Spider-Woman making her big screen debut in the next few years. The Dakota Johnson-led Madame Web film is already in production and looks like it may make its way to screens before Drew. However, it is not clear where Madame Web will fit in the Spider-Verse. Currently, it doesn't appear closely connected to the MCU or the Sony Spider-Man Universe, leaving plenty of space for Jessica Drew to make her mark in both realms when her time comes. There's always room for more female superheroes, and while the two Spider-Women may also be inevitably compared, it seems that they will be far enough away from each other in the Spider-Verse to co-exist without stepping on each other's webs.
Though much of the information about Jessica Drew, Spider-Woman and her big screen debut is purely speculation and fan theory at this point, the rumors have real substance. It is clear that there is a good path for her character to take in joining the MCU. By the conclusion of Phase Five, Jessica Drew will have hopefully become a familiar figure in the Marvel and Sony universes, readying fans for what is sure to be an entertaining and powerful solo film in Phase Six.