After Avengers: Endgame, Kevin Feige’s Marvel Studios was all set to position Spider-Man to lead the MCU in the next phases. However, it became clear that their deal with Sony was not as strong as they initially thought. There were attempts to reclaim the Tom Holland character back into the Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Feige is holding on to the character as they approach a fourth film, while Sony desperately attempts to merge both universes.
Sony wants the fourth Spider-Man film to explore the multiverse further so that they can bring more SSU characters into the film. However, Sony’s track record in character development has been a mix of hits and misses, with the latest project, Madame Web, predicted to underperform at the box office.
Fans Believe Sony Will Ruin Spider-Man 4 If Not For Kevin Feige And Tom Holland
Kevin Feige had earlier mentioned that Spider-Man and Daredevil would lead the street-level side of the MCU. Sony aims to merge more of its characters with the MCU’s Spider-Man world, pushing for a multiversal story with several cameos. One fan on X believes that Feige and Tom Holland are against Sony’s multiversal idea for Spider-Man 4, and their objection is what’s stopping Sony from ruining the franchise.
Calling it now,
Kevin Feige and Tom Holland are trying to keep Spider-Man 4 as street level as possible while Sony is actively trying to force in as many multiversial connections to their spin off universe that they can. pic.twitter.com/mW3sBAlA86
— That REDACTED Guy (@REDACTEDSpider) December 3, 2023
The fan also pointed out Sony’s history of ruining successful franchises, as seen with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man franchises. Another fan mentioned that they would be happy with a street-level story where Spider-Man and Daredevil would take on some classic villains. One fan pointed out that Holland also didn’t want other cameos to overshadow him in his own film. Some fan reactions read:
No way some of yall are defending Sony when Sony literally has a history of doing this
— That REDACTED Guy (@REDACTEDSpider) December 3, 2023
Especially since Feige said at comic con that Spidey and Daredevil will be heading into the street level side.
— Parker 🕸🕷 (@mcuspider616) December 3, 2023
how hard can it be to just deliver a street level story with him and Daredevil facing off against Scorpion and/or Prowler with Kingpin as the overarching antagonist?? 🥲
— Stefan (@StefanGerards) December 3, 2023
If Sony has their way, they will kill the Spiderman franchise while thinking that they’re saving it. Their only saving grace in the last decade is the MCU and the decision to take a leap of faith on Lord and Miller with animation.
— Jones Vibes (@jonesvibesonly) December 3, 2023
Yeah, and it’s probably because of two reasons; No Way Home was such a great success that they think all people will want is multiverse stories (the Spiderverse films might have also played a part),
— Troy Lundquist (@HeroOfFruits) December 3, 2023
Yeah that sounds believable, I feel like Tom also doesn’t want to be overshadowed by a bunch of cameos from previous films and that’s like extremely valid
— Nobe (@Nobe614) December 3, 2023
Sony had previously attempted to merge the MCU and SSU when Tom Hardy‘s Venom appeared for a brief cameo in the end credits scene of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Furthermore, Michael Keaton’s villain Adrian Toomes / Vulture transported into the world of Jared Leto‘s Dr. Michael Morbius in the end credits scene of Morbius.
Sony Has A History Of Mishandling Their Spider-Man Movies
Sony’s interference was allegedly the reason why Sam Raimi’s third film in the original Spider-Man trilogy was compromised. The studio insisted on including multiple comic book characters, including Venom, resulting in a messy final product. They made the same mistake in the Andrew Garfield-led reboot, and the critical failure of the second film in that franchise led them to strike a deal with Marvel in 2015.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man had a fantastic run under the Kevin Feige-led studio, but Sony tried to take that away after Avengers: Endgame. Sony execs decided they no longer needed support from Marvel and considered setting Spider-Man: Far From Home in the SSU. Fortunately, Sony decided to renew the deal with Marvel, an agreement that probably wouldn’t last forever.
Sony is likely to take back their hero at some point, and Marvel needs to prepare for that eventuality. Shifting focus to the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters may be the right move in this direction. Spider-Man 4 will hit theaters in 2025.
