Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have finally done it - Spider-Man will now be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Marvel and Sony announced their new partnership on Monday that will weave Spider-Man into the Marvel films. Under the deal, the web-slinging superhero will soon appear in an upcoming MCU movie and then Sony will release another solo 'Spider-Man' movie on July 28, 2017.
Marvel Studios' president will co-produce the next 'Spider-Man' film along with Sony's Amy Pascal, who has overseen the franchise for the last 13 years. Sony will continue to finance, distribute, own and have final creative control on all 'Spider-Man' movies, per the terms of the deal.
"I am thrilled to team with my friends at Sony Pictures along with Amy Pascal to produce the next Spider-Man movie," Feige said in a statement. "Amy has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world's most beloved characters. Marvel's involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU."
Fans have called for Sony to relinquish the character of Spider-Man to Marvel for nearly a decade. Speculation of a deal increased when Sony emails leaked showing recent talks between Marvel and Sony.
"I am equally excited for the opportunity to have Spider-Man appear in the MCU, something which both we at Marvel, and fans alike, have been looking forward to for years," Feige said.
Sony Pictures has released five 'Spider-Man' films (three starring Tobey Maguire and two starring Andrew Garfield) that have grossed more than $4 billion worldwide.
"Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world," said Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company, which owns Marvel Studios. "We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building."
Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, also added that the partnership between the two studios is the "right decision for the franchise" and believes Feige and Pascal are "the perfect team to help produce the next chapter of Spider-Man."
Marvel and Sony have not announced which already planned Marvel movie Spider-Man will appear in, but it's likely to be the next "Captain America" film, "Civil War." Peter Parker's alter-ego played a significant role in the comic book series between Steve Rogers' Captain America and Tony Stark's Iron Man.
