Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are not going to be happy with this news. Marvel Studios and Kevin Feige will reportedly no longer be involved in the production of Spider-Man films because of a standoff between Disney and Sony regarding the rights to the character according to Deadline.
UPDATE [8/21/19]:
- Sony has released a statement regarding Feige’s future involvement with the franchise via Twitter:
ORIGINAL [8/20/21]:
- Sony and Disney have reportedly reached a standstill in negotiations for new terms that would have given Disney a co-financing stake with Spider-Man movies going forward.
- This standstill reportedly removes Feige and Marvel Studios from future Spidey films.
- There are however, reportedly still two Spider-Man films in the works at Sony, with Tom Holland continuing to sling webs and director Jon Watts at the helm.
- Disney was reportedly seeking a 50/50 co-financing split in all future Spider-Man movies, with a discussion taking place regarding an extension into other films in that universe.
- Sony was not keen on those new terms though and proposed that the terms of their arrangement remain the same, with Disney getting around a 5% share of first dollar gross.
- This decision comes only months after Feige produces Sony’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, Sony’s all-time highest grossing film, as well as Avengers: Endgame, the highest grossing film of all-time for any studio.
- According to Deadline, Sony argued that they would be fine without Feige, since they still have Holland and Watt.
- Sony released Venom in 2018, a film based on the beloved Spider-Man villain, and watched as it earned more than $850 million worldwide without any tangible connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- A sequel to Venom is also currently in production with Andy Serkis set to direct.
- Still, it would be difficult to see the Spider-Man films continue to reach the level of success they have been without that connection to the MCU.
- Neither Disney nor Sony has commented at this time. Be sure to check back for more news as it becomes available.