Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise has served as the cash cow Marvel needed to sustain the economy of the studio with astounding profit. That has to be one of the few reasons for another sequel nod to the beloved MCU superhero.
Jon Watts started the project sitting on the director’s chair since the first installment of the franchise, Spider-Man: Homecoming, released in 2017. The director went on to direct both the sequels— Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) and the grand multiversal flick Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Now, will he helm the fourth installment?
Is Jon Watts Leaving The Spider-Man Franchise?
Jon Watts took the Spider-Man franchise to another level with insane popularity and box office marvel. The third installment Spider-Man: No Way Home earned Marvel Studios a whopping $1.9 billion against the $200 million. So, there was an immediate nod for a fourth Spider-Man movie. In May 2023, Marvel producer Amy Pascal confirmed another Spidey movie with Tom Holland, but the project was in the very early stages. Later, Holland addressed the upcoming sequel while speaking with Collider.
“All I can say is that we have been actively engaging in conversations about what it could potentially look like for a fourth rendition of my character. Whether or not we can find a way to do justice to the character is another thing.”
Fans were assured of the update with Watts returning to his director’s chair. However, a recent update suggests that the director is leaving the franchise after the third movie. Industry insider Daniel Richtman recently claimed that Watts has decided to leave the franchise before the fourth installment. However, Marvel has a backup plan.
Drew Goddard, who created Netflix’s Daredevil, is set to helm the upcoming project. Now the question is, why would Watts leave one of the most successful MCU franchises? Are bad days looming above the studio? Goddard’s prowess is commendable, but it would be interesting what he would bring to the table after Watts. Still, Marvel should make executive decisions wisely considering the recent failure of The Marvels. Certainly, fans will never forgive a devastating Spider-Man movie.
Will Tom Holland Return in Spider-Man 4?
Spider-Man star owes almost everything to the franchise for his role that sets him as a global star. However, the actor believes he has the potential to play roles beyond the protection of the MCU. Of late, particularly after, 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, Holland has considered venturing into other roles to support his resume rather than continuing the titular character. “I feel very protective over Spider-Man,” Holland told Collider.
“I feel very, very lucky that we were able to work on a franchise that got better with each movie, that got more successful with each movie, which I think is really rare, and I want to protect his legacy. So, I won’t make another one for the sake of making another one. It will have to be worth the while of the character.”
In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Holland also addressed the forthcoming movie.
“There’s a bit of a stigma about the fourth one in all franchises,” he said. “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.”
However, Marvel may not let the actor leave, but again’s Watts exit made all things uncertain. Spider-Man 4 doesn’t have a release date as of writing this piece.
