More Sony/Marvel Fallout: Younger Spider-Man Reportedly Sought, Webb Also Out, Spinoffs Still in Motion

CBR

By Albert Ching

Published Feb 10, 2015

The latest reports stemming from the Marvel Studios/Sony deal say that an actor "much younger" than Andrew Garfield is sought to play Spidey. UPDATE: A report says "Venom" and a female-centric spinoff film are both still in development.

UPDATED 2/10/2015 2:45 PM PT: A report from Variety stated that along with "Sinister Six," "Venom" and a female-centric Spider-Man spinoff film are both still in motion at Sony. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who will co-produce Sony's 2017 Spider-Man solo film, is not currently expected to be involved creatively in the spinoffs.

Additionally, Variety spelled out some of the reported financial details of the Sony Pictures/Marvel Studios deal more clearly: Marvel Studios won't pay Sony for the right to put Spider-Man in its films, according to the report, and won't receive a percentage for Sony's Spider-Man films -- just as Sony won't receive money from Spider-Man's appearances in Marvel films. Similarly, it's reported that Feige also won't receive payment for working with Sony on Spider-Man. It's cited as a rare example of two studios collaboration on a deal that's mutually beneficial to both sides.

There's still plenty to unpack about the deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios to share big-screen control of Spider-Man, and The Hollywood Reporter has a few new details. While not entirely unexpected, the outlet reports that Sony is seeking an actor "much younger" than the previous big-screen Spidey, the 31-year-old Andrew Garfield. Additionally, THR states that Marc Webb, who directed 2012's "Amazing Spider-Man" and 2014's "Amazing Spider-Man 2," will also not return to the franchise.

According to the report, "Amazing Spider-Man" producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad will both be executive producers on the new Spidey films, "with no real say in the creative direction of the franchise." Arad is a longtime veteran of Marvel adaptations on TV and film, having been involved in every Spider-Man movie since the 2002 original.

No money changed hands between Sony or Marvel in the deal, THR reports, dubbing it a "quid pro quo" transaction. An anonymous source in the article suggested the fact that Marvel controls Spider-Man's merchandising rights as a motivating factor on both sides -- given Marvel is in a position to make money from higher visibility of the character, and that Sony would not be willing to share Spidey if it was profiting from merchandise. Speculating further into the future, the article suggests that this may be the "first step" of Marvel acquiring Spider-Man's live-action rights, or Disney purchasing Sony if it becomes available.

The next solo Spider-Man film, set to be produced by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige and former Sony exec Amy Pascal, is scheduled for release on July 28, 2017. Keep reading CBR for the latest on the Sony and Marvel's Spider-Man deal.