Superhero and comedy blockbuster podcaster Tom Smith, who has had inside information on Marvel projects in the past, is now reporting on Twitter that, unsurprisingly, “Spider-Man 4” is in full swing. The film is “on the fast track”, which means something like: it must be launched as soon as possible with the highest priority.
The main hurdle has been cleared: Tom Holland be under contract. He will once again play Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man. This ties in with recent information from the usually well-connected journalist Jeff Sneider. Holland has also signed on to make three additional Spider-Man appearances in solo films, as well as three appearances in other MCU films.
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According to Smith, Marvel is already working on the story and screenplay for “Spider-Man 4”. But before the film can be officially announced, a very important person must first be clarified: that of the director.
Sony wants Jon Watts – but does he still want it?
According to Smith’s information, Sony would also like to bring Jon Watts on board for a fourth installment. He previously directed Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, all three adventures starring Tom Holland. Unfortunately, this personality is not so easy.
Watts feels a certain superhero fatigue. This is also one of the reasons why he left Marvel’s “Fantastic Four”. At the moment, Watts prefers to focus on series. After launching the action drama series “The Old Man” starring Jeff Bridges as an ex-CIA agent, which runs on Disney+ in Germany, he is currently working on the “Star Wars” series “Skeleton Crew” for the streaming service. This obligation should keep him busy for a while. Sony may have to look for another director.
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Another Spider-Man besides Peter Parker?
But perhaps he should also be willing to adapt to an already existing concept. As for the story, all the details are still under wraps, but it is reportedly being worked on. At least early on, the plan was for us to get to know Miles Morales in the MCU. As is known, he gets almost the same superpowers as Peter Parker and then also becomes Spider-Man. The plan for Spider-Man 4 is to introduce him as a neighbor who lives in the same apartment complex as Peter Parker. However, according to Smith, he does not know whether this information is still current.
Superstar Zendaya also returns as MJ. However, he does not know how big her role will be. As is known, after the end of “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, the great love of Peter Parker no longer remembers him. Whether and how both get back together is sure to be a big storyline of future spider adventures. However, those responsible for “Spider-Man 4” could also show Peter Parker on his own, working with the fact that he is now completely isolated and has no allies left, saving the merger with MJ for a later film. Then the character may only be there in a small role.
“Spider-Man 4”: theatrical release in 2024 – but not parallel to “Thunderbolts”
The plan is to film Spider-Man 4 in 2023 and hit theaters in the summer of 2024. Even if the comic adventure is created in collaboration with Disney subsidiary Marvel, Sony will have free rein to decide on the theatrical release. A while ago it was reported that the studio prefers July 2024.
However, Marvel has so far scheduled “Thunderbolts” for July 2024. It can be assumed that Sony and Disney agree to leave a time gap between the launch of “Thunderbolts” and “Spider-Man 4”. In addition to a postponement of the Disney MCU film, it is therefore also quite possible that Sony will not release its film to the cinemas until later in the year (possibly out of necessity if the search for the director takes longer). After July kicked off for the first two Spidey adventures with Tom Holland, a year-end release on “No Way Home” didn’t have the worst experience.