Is it Time for Sony to relinquish Spider-Man?

Over the last few days a few revelations have emerged regarding the future of the Spider-Man franchise currently in the hands of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The internet is buzzing with a couple of big pieces of news that have been leaked due to the Sony hack-gate. Possibly the biggest revelation revealed was the news that Sony had indeed recently been in tentative negotiations with Marvel Studio's regarding Spider-Man being used in the forthcoming Captain America movie Civil War, in a joint venture that would have seen our favourite web-slinger finally making his bow in the MCU.

There are conflucting reports on the internet doing the rounds, with some news sites reporting that the deal has in fact broken down and Marvel have left the table. Whilst there are some reporting that the heads of Sony in Japan are not happy with the talks breaking down and they have ordered that in light of the lack of options available to the company that talk be resumed. Now interestingly it has been rumoured that Sony are set to announce their plans regarding the future of the Spider-Man franchise early in the new year, perhaps as early as January. Could this mean that Sony are at least open to the possibility that Spider-Man become a shared property between the two studios? is there yet a chance we could be seeing these posters in early 2016? 

Now before you and indeed I lose out shit in excitement over the fan made poster above it would appear that a lot of talking would need to take place before we get anywhere near to having Spidey appear in CA 3: Civil War. one of the conditions of any deal between the two studio's, seemed to be dependent on Sony having involvement in the creative direction of Marvel's movie, Sony also wanted the opportunity to use Captain America to set up Sony's Sinister Six movie.  not to mention final say on the casting decision on the recasting of Peter Parker\Spider-Man.

This brings me to the second piece of news that emerged. it would seem that Sony have become frustrated and annoyed with comments from Andrew Garfield regarding the poor reception for Amazing Spider-Man 2. back in early September Garfield has this to say during an interview with Internet news site Daily Beast.

" It’s interesting. I read a lot of the reactions from people and I had to stop because I could feel I was getting away from how I actually felt about it. For me, I read the script that Alex [Kurtzman] and Bob [Orci] wrote, and I genuinely loved it. There was this thread running through it. I think what happened was, through the pre-production, production, and post-production, when you have something that works as a whole, and then you start removing portions of it—because there was even more of it than was in the final cut, and everything was related. Once you start removing things and saying, “No, that doesn’t work,” then the thread is broken, and it’s hard to go with the flow of the story. Certain people at the studio had problems with certain parts of it, and ultimately the studio is the final say in those movies because they’re the tentpoles, so you have to answer to those people."

Andrew Garfield Spider-Man No More?

 It was these comments made by Garfield that alluded to Studio execs and producers Matt Tolmach and Avi Arad interferring in the creative process of the movie that resulted in a disjointed film that was littered with pacing issues and tonal problems. it's also thought that it was the studio's insistence that the Rhino was shoehorned into the film, and the direction was geared towards pushing the Sinister six, rather than concentrating on the continuing narrative of the Amazing Spider-Man 1.

It would appear however that the Studio's patience ran out with Andrew Garfield over a perceived snubbing by the actor of the Sony heads at a gala dinner where the actor failed to show informing them with an hour's notice that he would be unable to attend the event. So it seems that in an act of petty spite the studio terminated Garfield's contract in October this year.

It should be noted that October this year is around the time that re-boot rumours started up and hitting the internet with noises that a new actor could be playing the wall-crawler.

There have also been further revelations shown in Email exchanges between Sony Entertainment heads that they are close to running out of options with regards to Spider-Man and unless a deal can be reached with Marvel then the direction for the character under their stewardship is limited.

Therefore with this knowledge in mind is Sony's time up when it comes to Spider-Man? I personally think so. As these memo's between Jeff Robinov and Amy Pascal show, 

"Jeff Robinov, former ex-Warner Bros VP now head of Sony's Studio 8 is trying to prevent a deal that would see Sony collaborate with Marvel on
the future of the Spider-Man franchise.


In an email dated November 13 sent to Amy Pascal, Sony Pictures
co-chairman, Robinov outlined a plan to reboot the entire Spider-Man
franchise again with new leads in the vein similar to the long running
James Bond films.
Robinov also suggests possibly bringing on Stan Lee to invent a new
character for Sony to exploit. Furthermore, the conversation between
Robinov and Pascal implies that unless Sony decides to partner with
Marvel, they're running out of options.


The latest "Sony Hack" also pertains to actor Ryan Gosling. Pascal is
keen on offering the actor a number of parts and asks a colleague to ask the actor about starring in either the Steve Jobs biopic, or their planned Spider-Man spin-off "Sinister Six" possibly as their new Spider-Man."

No one is doubting Ryan Gosling's acting ability, but is he the man who screams Peter Parker? and the news that Robinov is suggesting that Sony employ Stan Lee, a man who is approaching his 92nd birthday just to create a new character for them to use, shows how out of touch Sony execs are.   

I strongly believe as do many others, that Sony have had their time. They've had a go at Spider-Man and produced five  movies over the course of twelve years. As yet they've failed to deliver a good quality Spider-Man film. Now some of you may argue that Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 2 was close to perfection, but where were the quips? where was the flowing Spider-Man humour? where was the character growth of Peter Parker? and oh look it resulted in Mary Jane being kidnapped yet again by the antagonist, 

For me Sony are done. Now it's time to give the public what they want. Spider-Man in the MCU in a solo movie produced by Marvel Studio's, Why because Marvel love the character he is their flagship hero and has been for nearly 50 years.he is their greatest creation and if they can turn a movie about a bunch of misfits a racoon and a tree into a world wide smash then imagine what they could do with Spider-Man. Not too mention Marvel have at their disposal a wealth of creative talent in writers,people who indeed understand the character and his supporting cast. 

Sony have given us some entertaining Spider-Man films over the years but now it's time for them to move aside. it's time to let someone else have a go. it's time for a Superior Spider-Man. 

 So what side of the argument are you on? Sony Entertainment or Marvel Studio's pick a side a and lets debate this. why not comment below. or click the button to follow on google+ or follow on twitter @TelFirth for blog updates or additionally like our Facebook Page The Man who Collects Spider-Man

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