Could MARVEL STUDIOS and SONY Have Bigger Things Brewing?

With the recent developments surrounding the upcoming third Spider-Man film. It’s hard not to speculate on the possibility that the Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures may have something bigger brewing in regards to their relationship and sharing of characters.

Since joining the MCU in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man’s five appearances were nearly the end of the wall-crawlers era in the Avengers universe. That was until Marvel and Sony hashed out a new deal that included additional wall-crawler appearances. The exact details of this deal are unknown though it is speculated that Tom Holland’s Spider-Man will have only two more MCU appearances. Spider-Man 3 and an unannounced Marvel film. However, that has not been substantiated by Marvel or Sony.

So why the speculation on a more in-depth use of Spidey and his foes within the MCU?

Evidence

There has been quite a bit of evidence over the last few years to see there was something bigger at play. Even before the initial deal ended it seems Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios was planning on using Peter Parker/Spider-Man to become a bigger part of the overall story and Avengers team.

For starters Tony Stark, played brilliantly by Robert Downey Jr., took Peter under his wing. The legacy of Iron Man and all he learned and stood for lives on through Spider-Man. To essentially walk away from that story and development would be throwing away a large percentage of the last 5 years of Marvel Films narrative. While some may have balked at the constant Stark references in the first two MCU Spider-Man films. It was an interesting and pleasant departure from what we had seen so many times in comics, animation and films prior. And, whether you realize it or not, Tony’s presence and legacy will be felt through many of the following Avenger centric movies, especially the ones that include characters who interacted with him directly.

Next we have the ramifications of the post snap World and what this could mean for the MCU moving forward. At the end of Spider-Man Far from Home we see a very familiar face pop up on screen. JK Simmons reprising his role as J Jonah Jameson was originally thought to be a fan service moment, but this could end up being the first sign of something more grander.

Following that, the upcoming film within the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters (SPUMC for short) is Morbius in 2021. The film which will follow Michael Mobius, played by Jared Leto, looks to expand on the universe started with 2019’s Tom Hardy led film, Venom. The most Interesting aspect of the upcoming film is at the end of the full length trailer we get a surprise cameo from none other than Vulture himself, Michael Keaton. For those not aware, Keaton portrayed Adrian Toomes, the Vulture, in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

It seems that at this point we still didn’t have any real indication of where all of this leading. Luckily for us that all changed when some big casting news dropped for the third installment in the MCU Spider-Man films.

Currently in final talks with reprising his role as Electro is Jamie Foxx. Foxx was last seen in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 back in 2014. Shortly after the film’s release, despite all the plans Sony had made to spin-off from it, all production and plans halted as a deal was eventually made with Marvel Studios. Since then it appeared all hope was lost in regards to a continuation of that canon. But today, anything is possible.

Multiverse of Madness

You would think much of the Spider-Man related returns would be done at this point. However, you would be mistaken.

Earlier this year it was revealed that Sam Raimi, director of Spider-Man 1, 2 and 3, was brought on board to direct Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness due to release in 2022. What is so intriguing about this is the fact the MCU is going to delve into the idea of a Multiverse which could be connected to the events of the Infinity saga which in turn could, and most likely, connect all Marvel Universes together in some form or fashion. Let’s also not forget that this move of Raimi being brought into the MCU could be a way to entice someone like Tobey McGuire to put the mask on again. Which would be a power move rivaling the recent news of Michael Keaton’s return to the DC universe as Batman.

With everything laid out above, could this Multiverse aspect be the key to why Jamie Foxx is returning? Could this be how Venom and Morbius fit with the Tom Holland Spider-Man films?

Ramifications

The Idea and execution of the Multiverse could be a huge part in how Marvel incorporates their newly, re-acquired, properties Fantastic 4 and X-Men into the mix. It can also lend them the ability to cross over different iterations of the same characters if they feel the need to do so in some crazy off the wall story in the future.

Let’s not forget to mention that Sony would make out HUGE in this idea as well. They could continue a relationship with Marvel Studios and sharing Spider-Man and his cast of friends and foes but also create their own standalone series of films which are separate from all Marvel Studios has created.

The only obstacle, which is the main driving point for anything movie studios do, is MONEY. Will this idea make the most sense financially? You have to think there is a greater risk of oversaturation with this idea and you have to wonder is that a gamble Marvel and Sony are willing to take?

I say they have to.