Spider-Man: No Way Home ended on a pivotal climax with Doctor Strange repairing the rift in the multiverse before a flood of villains from other universes rushed into the MCU. The story also had a major twist in which the entire world forgot who Peter Parker was, including his best friend Ned and his girlfriend MJ. Marvel head Kevin Feige signaled a perfect segue into a 4th installment by confirming that Spider-Man 4 was being currently envisioned.
While Feige has been tight-lipped on the course the narrative will take, Marvel sources state that the film will take a grounded approach and put the struggles of the character front and center. But the latest news coming in indicates that Sony doesn’t seem to concur with Feige’s vision and is looking to bring in two popular Spider-Man actors for an all out-commercial money-making fest.
Are Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios Disagreeing About Spider-Man 4?
After Spider-Man: No Way Home left fans speculating on the fate of the character, Kevin Feige announced that a 4th film featuring Tom Holland is definitely in the works. While there is still ways to go before any significant information is revealed about the film, theories floating around indicate that Holland’s Peter Parker aka Spider-Man will be part of a more grounded narrative that will give him space to develop on the emotional aspects of the character in an effort to make his challenges relatable to the audiences.
But it seems like Feige’s vision for the film is not what Sony Pictures has in mind. According to writer Daniel Richtman (via The Hollywood Handle), the production giant who has been the main collaborator with Marvel for the Spider-Man films is reportedly looking at a completely different approach to the film. This includes making Spider-Man 4 a grand visual spectacle by allegedly bringing in former alums Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield to add to the star value.
This ‘cash grab’ path to success has become a hot talking point among netizens online. Many fans were critical of Sony’s commercialization of the franchise and felt that this is not the right way to take Spider-Man forward, especially since Spider-Man: No Way Home laid the foundation for a more relatable narrative.
Sony just want money man
— DriftyFilm (@driftyfilm) January 24, 2024
Disney spends money on a whole bunch of crap they need to buy the Spider-Man rights back and put an end to the Sony nonsense
— Liam (@LiamFromOrlando) January 25, 2024
@SonyPictures is what’s wrong with the CBM world right now. While everyone wants quality stories, they want to continue to milk nostalgia and/or just push content at us. This is the perfect time to ground Tom’s Spider-Man, and yet they’d rather push this in addition to a universe…
— Loveless (@LovelessEnt) January 25, 2024
The fans want it more grounded too
— North Shore TRASH (@AlecJaneHolland) January 24, 2024
Judging by online reactions, Marvel buffs could possibly be right about the direction Spider-Man 4 should take. While Spider-Man: No Way Home created huge hype with the epic collaboration of Tom Holland, Tobey Maguire, and Andrew Garfield, it could become a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth 4th time around. This could also dilute the gravity of Peter Parker’s story going forward and undo the emotional climax of the 3rd film that set the perfect stage for the deeper aspects of the narrative to develop.
Why Daredevil Could Be An Integral Part Of Spider-Man 4
Along with the speculation about the alleged clash between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures regarding the narrative of Spider-Man 4, there are also excited discussions going around among fandoms regarding the various other characters who could feature in the film. According to certain views, the film could see popular street heroes joining forces with Spider-Man to battle the supervillains who entered the MCU in the 3rd film.
Among them, Daredevil’s name looks to be on top of the list. It is common knowledge that the two superheroes go back a long way in the comic book world with their first meeting taking place in 1964’s Amazing Spider-Man #16. Over multiple narratives, Daredevil and Spider-Man have grown as friends and crime-fighting allies who also share mutual respect for each other.
Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdock has already laid the foundation for a possible future collaboration with the webbed hero by appearing in a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home. With a firmly established history from the written word to the big screen, Daredevil could be the perfect wingman for Tom Holland’s Spider-Man to outwit his enemies.
