New Rumor Claims Sony & Marvel May Extend ‘Spider-Man’ Deal – Could Marvel Get Involved With ‘Spider-Woman’ & ‘Kraven The Hunter’ Too?

You might remember that Marvel Studios almost lost access to Spider-Man not too long ago and that Spider-Man 3 would have been strictly a Sony Pictures affair with Marvel sitting on the sidelines as their initial deal had expired. Luckily, Tom Holland was able to convince both Sony’s Tom Rothman and Disney’s Bob Iger to see eye-to-eye hatching a new smaller deal that would allow Marvel to make Spider-Man 3 and Holland to appear in one more MCU film.

A new rumor coming from The Disinsider Show (via The Direct) suggests that that two-picture deal has seemingly been extended, however, they weren’t forthcoming with details as to how many films are involved along with if Marvel Studios would be getting involved with any of the upcoming Sony Pictures projects like Kraven The Hunter.

While this is very likely given that Marvel would most likely want access to various Sony characters in the future (Miles Morales feels like a no-brainer), as with most rumors take with a pinch of salt. There are a couple of things that might have telegraphed this deal being in the works.

Last week, Kevin Feige confirmed that Spider-Man 3 would directly interconnect with Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness all but confirming yet another crossover there. We’ve assumed for months that this was going to be the MCU film in the second deal given that the productions are close to each other and that Benedict Cumberbatch is confirmed to appear in Spider-Man 3.

It was also announced that Jon Watts will be directing their Fantastic Four reboot after tackling a trilogy of Spider-Man films (second feature film reboot of the hero) and since Spider-Man debuted in the pages of Fantastic Four it wouldn’t terribly shocking if they attempt to at least get a cameo from Peter Parker in there.

A Spider-Woman film is reportedly in the works at Sony Pictures from director Olivia Wilde, which would likely feature Jessica Drew, a character that Marvel Studios is said to have access to as she debuted outside of the Spider-Man comic books having more ties to MCU groups such as S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA, S.W.O.R.D., and the Avengers. She also plays a role in the Secret Invasion (now a Disney+ series) as it’s revealed Drew is actually Skrull Queen Veranke and happens to be pals with Carol Danvers in the comics making a crossover into Captain Marvel 2 a strong possibility. While Marvel’s involvement is assumed by fans this has yet to be made official but it’s very likely.

There has been some rumblings that Kraven will appear in Spider-Man 3, but this has yet to be officially confirmed by either trades or Marvel themselves. A solo feature film directed by J.C. Chandor (Triple Frontier, A Most Violent Year) has been in the works for some time and if Kraven does appear in Spider-Man 3 might suggest that his solo film might be considered part of the MCU. It’s worth pointing out that Kraven’s development has been taking place even before the Spider-Man 3 drama. At one point, there had been talk that Spider-Man would show up in the film.

Other Marvel projects in the works at Sony include a Madame Web movie from S.J. Clarkson, a Jackpot movie, and a live-action Silk series. They had also once been developing a Sinister Six film with Drew Goddard before the Holland reboot, it’s looking very likely that the group of villains may cameo in the next Spidey pic.

In theory, if there is an extension it could mean that Marvel gets to make Spider-Man 4 along with possibly adding him in future films like Avengers 5 or Fantastic Four. With the reasons given Marvel could put their tentacles into things like Sony’s Spider-Woman and other spinoffs.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this will be Tom Holland’s send-off or if Marvel will double-down on his incarnation of Spider-Man.

SOURCE: THE DISINSIDER SHOW

‘Spider-Man 3’: Alfred Molina’s Return As Doctor Octopus Now Confirmed – The Sinister Six Are Seemingly Being Assembled

Last month, GWW reported that Spider-Man 2 actor Alfred Molina was spotted on the set of Spider-Man 3 sparking the rumor that he’d be returning to the role of Doctor Otto Octavius aka Doctor Octopus.

A source within Disney/Marvel has informed GWW that Alfred Molina will be returning to the Spider-Man franchise to reprise his role as the famed Doctor Octopus. Plot details are of course scarce as they always are with the super secretive Marvel productions, but we were informed Molina arrived on set a bit ago to work on some stunt choreography and has started filming his scenes in the past couple weeks.

This news has now been confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter.

Alfred Molina is putting back on the metal arms and will reprise his role as the villainous Doctor Octopus, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

This is starting to feel like Marvel Studios is indeed assembling The Sinister Six as the villains of the film given that they’ve also brought back Jamie Foxx as the villain Electo and while this might seem like more confirmation of a Multiverse project. J.K. Simmons is another actor from the Sam Raimi era that seemingly has made the jump to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as seen returning to the role of J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: Far From Home, but not back in the version from the original Raimi films.

One way for Marvel and Sony to simply use The Sinister Six without giving all six villains new origins and backstories is to bring back familiar faces that audiences already know as these characters. This is a neat way to bring back villains without too much of a heavy handed reboot of them, although, I personally believe Marvel may end up giving both Electro and Doctor Octopus character updates for the MCU. Even J. Jonah Jameson doesn’t seem his campy self and has certainly been altered to fit Marvel’s superhero universe as he looks to be more like an Alex Jones-type rather than an old timey newspaper man obsessed with Spider-Man photos.

Two other members could easily be Michael Keaton’s Vulture and Michael Mando’s Scorpion both could be part of the prison break suggested in the trailer for Jared Leto’s Morbius. Scorpion’s origin in the comics has a direct connection to J. Jonah Jameson but they’ve already established that he hates Spider-Man since he scared his face and sent him to prison.

Quentin Beck aka Mysterio faking his death also could be a possibly.

Its also worth pointing out that Sam Raimi is working on a Multiverse film with Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness (currently shooting at Longcross Studios) and Benedict Cumberbatch is reprising his role as Strange in Spider-Man 3, however, the scale of the superhero crossover isn’t known.

Spider-Man 3 is currently filming in Atlanta under the working title The November Project and is expected to swing into theaters on December 17th, 2021.

SOURCE: GWW & THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER