Even though Spider-Man: No Way Home made it out of theaters more than two years ago (2021), there are still no firm indications about the release date for the upcoming Spider-Man 4.
Marvel is producing the movie, as far as we know, but there have been rumors recently suggesting that the studios and Sony Pictures are at odds over the direction the wall-crawler should go. The former and Tom Holland are rumored to be interested in a street-level plot that progresses towards Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, the latter wants to bring Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire back together for one more reality-hopping journey as the three Spider-Men.
Yes, it means that Marvel Studios is under pressure from Sony to make the film a multiverse story and that the release date of mid-2025 is suitable. And, it now appears that one of the factors causing the problems is the release date.
Tom Holland Takes a Stand Against Sony in the Battle for Spider-Man 4
Spider-Man has always occupied a special place in the hearts of fans. And, with Tom Holland’s portrayal of the web-slinging hero receiving glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike, it is no surprise that fans were eagerly anticipating the next installment in the franchise.
However, recent reports have surfaced claiming that Sony, the studio behind the Spider-Man films, intends to take the franchise in a new direction with the upcoming Spider-Man 4, potentially affecting the beloved character’s future. Indeed, as we learned from an insider source, the script for Spider-Man 4 is actively being worked on. Sony wants to reunite Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire as the three Spider-Men for probably one last reality-hopping adventure.
Meanwhile, Marvel Studios and Holland would rather take a different approach, telling a story on a street level that leads to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. At this point, the Uncharted actor, 27, is said to have stepped in to defend the franchise’s integrity by taking on Sony.
Also, according to ComicBooks, a 2025 release is what Sony is pushing for Spider-Man 4. That makes more sense in light of the rumors that production will start early next year.
Spider-Man 4: Marvel Studios & Sony Appear To Be At Odds Over the Release Date?
It is difficult to remain unconcerned after reading this. According to reports, Marvel Studios intends to release this fourth installment in 2026 as a direct lead-in to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which will star the wall-crawler as a major character. But Sony is on the other side of the table, wanting to release the film in mid-2025.
Tom Holland acknowledged to THR last year that he is “a little apprehensive about it”, adding:
“There’s a bit of a stigma about the fourth one in all franchises. I feel like we hit a home run with our first franchise and there’s a part of me that wants to walk away with my head held high and pass the baton to the next lucky kid that gets to bring this character to life.”
Fans have rallied behind Holland, starting an online petition asking Sony to revise their proposed changes for Spider-Man 4. Let’s check out some of the tweets:
Sony is the best villain in the whole spider man universe .
— HarminderBOI (@HarminderBOI) February 19, 2024
After Morbius and now Madam Web, Sony needs to take a step back and give Feige full creative control.
— Armchair Olympian (@Reed_emAndWeep) February 19, 2024
Sony is a joke. Hopefully sanity prevails and we get a street level story
— Gabriel Verrone (@verrone_gabriel) February 19, 2024
there has to be some sorta legal loophole where if sony brings a certain amount of negativity or bad look to the marvel corporation through their usage of spider-man i.p. that the results immediately revert to marvel 😓
— vv GLXY (@vvglxy) February 19, 2024
@SonyPictures @sony NOBODY WANTS ANOTHER MULTIVERSE SPIDER-MAN FILM! PLEASE MAKE SPIDER-MAN 4 A GROUNDED FILM!!!
— Brolio (@Brolio69) February 19, 2024
Street level Spidey is music to my ears
— glenn buswell (@ImBuswell) February 19, 2024
Well, Holland is not going to allow Sony to destroy the Spider-Man franchise, as the fight for Spider-Man 4 drags on. With his drive and the support of devoted fans, it remains to be seen whether Spider-Man 4 will swing to victory or fall victim to the whims of studio executives. All we can do is keep an eye on this and provide an update as soon as anything new happens.
Spider-Man: No Way Home, streaming on DIRECTV.
