Sony chairman Tom Rothman recently offered some updates regarding upcoming entries in the Spider-Man franchise, including the fourth Spider-Man solo film set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as Sony's own spinoff projects like Madame Web.
While speaking with Deadline, Rothman discussed Spidey's place among Sony's various franchises. "Uncharted, Jumanji, Spider-Man. We have our Marvel business, which breaks into three tranches," Rothman said. "There are the Spider-Man movies, and we're currently at work on two Spider-Verse sequels to our Oscar winning animated movie, with Lord and Miller," he continued, referring to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the upcoming animated sequels to 2018's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
"We hope to get working on the next Spider-Man movie," Rothman added, referring to the next MCU Spider-Man film Sony will co-produce with Marvel Studios. When asked if the MCU's Spider-Man 4 would feature the return of director Jon Watts and stars Tom Holland and Zendaya, the chairman replied, "That whole group, we hope."
Watts helmed all three of Sony and Marvel Studios' MCU Spider-Man movies thus far, the most recent one being 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home. Furthermore, all three films starred Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man and Zendaya as Michelle "MJ" Jones-Watson alongside Jacob Batalon as Need Leeds. However, it remains to be seen if Watts will actually return to helm a fourth entry. He recently stepped down from directing Marvel Studios' planned Fantastic Four reboot, citing a desire to take a break from superhero flicks for the foreseeable future.
At any rate, while Sony and Marvel have yet to officially green-light a fourth Spider-Man solo film, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and Spider-Man franchise producer Amy Pascal previously stated that they are mapping out Spidey's future within the MCU. "Amy and I and Disney and Sony are talking about -- yes, we're actively beginning to develop where the story heads next, which I only say outright because I don't want fans to go through any separation trauma like what happened after [Spider-Man:] Far From Home," Feige said. "That will not be occurring this time."
Going back to the Deadline interview, Rothman also discussed the Sony projects he describes as being "adjunct to the Spider-Man universe," namely the upcoming live-action spinoff films Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web.
"That's Kraven, which we’re shooting now, and Madame Web, which we’ll start in the spring with S.J. Clarkson directing," he said. "And then there are many Marvel characters that are standalone." Rothman's comments confirm that cameras are still rolling on Kraven after the film began shooting earlier this year. They also suggest that Madame Web will itself enter production very soon, as spring is nearing its end and the film is currently slated for a summer 2023 release.
Kraven the Hunter releases in theaters on Jan. 13, 2023, followed by Madame Web on July 7, 2023.
Source: Deadline
