If you’re a fan of Spider-Man’s involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, you probably wanted to wake up today and pretend like the day before was all a bad dream. The announcement that Marvel president Kevin Feige will no longer act as lead producer on the Spider-Man film franchise, thus cutting the successful inter-studio co-operation between Sony and Marvel short, sent shockwaves through the industry. Fans of the MCU and especially Spider-Man, took to social media to share their disdain about the decision, placing much of the blame on Sony Pictures but in a rare move, Sony has spoken publicly about the split and they’re placing the blame squarely on Disney.
Here is what Sony put on their official Twitter page in a series of tweets:
Much of today’s news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige’s involvement in the franchise. We are disappointed, but respect Disney’s decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live action Spider-Man film. (1/3)
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) August 21, 2019
Kevin is terrific and we are grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue. (3/3)
— Sony Pictures (@SonyPictures) August 21, 2019
These tweets seem to put the blame on the fact that Kevin Feige is too busy with an expanding load at Marvel Studios, especially after Disney recently acquired additional Marvel characters via its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. While this could very well be a factor and I respect Sony for actually speaking on this on some level, it still feels like we’re not getting the real story.
Sony’s response comes after Sony and Disney parted ways as co-producers on the revived Spider-Man movie franchise. Reports suggest that studio chiefs Tom Rothman at Sony and Alan Horn at Disney could not agree on a financial arrangement to continue to collaborate. Disney wanted a 50/50 co-financing arrangement with Sony on the franchise and according to most reports, Sony turned them down flat. Sony sees that it’s a huge IP for them and the most recent film, Spider-Man: Far From Home, just became their highest-grossing film at the worldwide box office. On the one hand, you have people saying Disney is being greedy while others believe Sony should be happy with this unique partnership because it has been very beneficial for them.
Disney and Sony entered into a unique and rare partnership for Marvel to produce the Spider-Man movies that starred Tom Holland. The deal had Feige placed as lead producer on Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home in a complex arrangement that allowed the hero, whose movie rights are controlled by Sony, to appear in Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War and two Avengers movies. The sad part about this turn of events for fans is that the close of this partnership pulls the character out of the MCU and any plans that the character had in that universe moving forward, are likely scrapped. Tom Holland and director Jon Watts are attached for two more Spider-Man films but unless a new deal can be reached, they will be spearheaded by Sony and have no connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Both sides have been talking for months about how to extend the deal for future Spider-Man movies under this unique arrangement but those talks collapsed recently. In the current deal, Marvel receives a modest five percent of first-dollar gross, as well as all merchandising revenue.
Sony is said to be hopeful that they can work out a deal once again with Marvel Studios but it appears that, as of right now, Spider-Man’s involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been laid to rest.
