An argument between Sony and Disney began about a week ago as the two could not come to terms on how both companies were going to produce the famous and constantly remade franchise. Photo by Joey Nicotra on Unsplash
This week, many people were mourning the loss of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This news was confusing as the media gave various statements regarding the famous web-slinger’s cinematic fate. This article does contain spoilers from “Avengers: Endgame” as well as “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
Overall, an argument between Sony and Disney began about a week ago as the two could not come to terms on how both companies were going to produce the famous and constantly remade franchise. An article by Deadline stated that Disney, who had the rights to use Spider-Man in their films, wished to cut the rights to those films in half while Sony, who owns the character, did not want that agreement.
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“Perhaps the worst of the rumors, is that the current Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, would not be returning to the role and Sony would cast yet another actor in his place. ”
Many rumors circulated over the next couple of days, such as how the director of the most recent Spider-Man remakes, Jon Watts, had not yet signed any contract to make another Spider-Man. Then, perhaps the worst of the rumors, is that the current Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, would not be returning to the role and Sony would cast yet another actor in his place.
Fortunately, Tom Holland announced at the D23 convention this past weekend that he will be continuing his run as New York’s favorite crime-fighter. Holland, who is notorious for spilling secrets on the past few Marvel movies he has been involved in, did not say much other than express his happiness to return, according to Fox News.
On the other hand, in an article by Entertainment Weekly, it was reported that Disney was never able to reach any sort of agreement or compromise with Sony, which means that Holland’s Spider-Man will not be starring in any more Avengers film nor can he be affiliated with any other characters from any Marvel comics that are not Spider-Man comics.
Only time will tell if this news remains true. The last Spider-Man film “Spider-Man: Far From Home” came out two months ago, and a sequel was not expected for another year or so. Still, many fans were expecting to see Holland take over for Tony Stark after Stark’s death at the end of “Avengers: Endgame.” Watts even seemed to allude to Peter Parker’s new role as leader of the new Avengers at the end of “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”
Another issue that the Sony and Disney argument could present is the possibility that there might not be a resolution to the very upsetting cliffhanger at the end of their most recent film. In the end-credit scene of “Far From Home,” Spider-Man’s identity is released by the villain Mysterio, when he frames Peter Parker for attempting to kill innocent bystanders. The evil alter-ego of Quentin Beck makes sure Parker has nowhere to hide as he both exposes and entraps the superhero before dying. It was expected that Peter Parker might ask for help from his fellow Avengers and clear his name in a future film, but this can no longer happen in light of the recent events between Sony and Disney.
Calista Giroux is a campus correspondent for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at calista.giroux@uconn.edu.
