Sony, Marvel agree to bring Spidey to Marvel film universe
Now, this sort of deal might sound strange at first. Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios have inked a deal that will let the webslinger, well, sling between multiple films created by the two rival studios. This means that, aside from whatever Amazing Spider-Man film Sony Pictures has planned, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man will soon be making an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as well, first by himself and, perhaps, with others. There is even a possibility of MCU characters coming into Sony Picture's films.
It may sound like an odd setup, considering almost everyone knows that Spider-Man is a Marvel property. However, Marvel licensed Spidey to Sony Pictures to use for films before its own Marvel Studios become a force to reckon with in Hollywood. Marvel still has to abide by its old licensing agreements and keep its hands off the franchises it has licensed to other studios. This is why you are unlikely to see any crossover between the Avengers and the X-Men, the latter of which has been licensed by 20th Century Fox.
This deal between Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios, however, opens up possibilities of Marvel regaining some of its iconic characters and putting them alongside its current MCU roster. The deal also works both ways, as the two are mulling over the possibility of pulling in MCU characters into Sony Pictures' future Spider-Man films.
For now, however, Spidey is quite booked. He will first appear in a film from Marvel Studios before he continues his stint at Sony Pictures for a new film scheduled July 28, 2017. The deal, however, still gives Sony full rein over financing, distribution, and final creative say over Spider-Man films.
This news has sent ripples inside the Marvel Cinematic Universe itself, causing some titles to be delayed. Thor: Ragnarok will screen November 3, 2017 while Black Panther will hit cinemas July 6, 2018. This leaves Captain Marvel, now rumored to be directed by Angelina Jolie, to arrive November 2, 2018 and Inhumans on July 12, 2019. Avengers fans need not worry as Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and Avengers: Infinity War Part 2 will continue as scheduled, on May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019, respectively.