MAIN CRITIQUE
This was an important week for Spider-Man and Marvel fans as Sony, who own the film license to Spider-Man, have made a deal with Marvel Studios that will allow Spider-Man to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Sony simultaneously keeping the rights. If the
Wall Street Journal is to be believed, the
Sinister Six,
Venom and untitled female films are all still happening but are being re-worked so that they no longer have any connection to
The Amazing Spider-Man 2: Rise of Electro.
As someone who did not hate the mediocre
The Amazing Spider-Man 2, I have to say I'm a bit disappointed that we will not be seeing the conclusion to the Marc Webb series. While the film definitely had a lot of flaws, people forget that the film did a lot right, such as the performances of Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, and Dane Dehaan, the action sequences, the musical score, most of the special effects, the films spot-on portrayal of Spider-Man and many elements of the universe, the brilliant execution of a certain character's fate and the romance between Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone, which is easily the best romance in any comic book film. Not to mention it is easily the most comic accurate Spider-Man film to date and that it opened the door for certain storylines that weren't previously possible with the Sam Raimi films, such as the formation of the Sinister Six.
I am disappointed that we only got to see Andrew Garfield play Spider-Man for only two films, as he was perfect as the character. I was also interested in seeing how certain plot lines played out in
The Amazing Spider-Man 3, like the Norman Osborn story and the hatred between Peter and
Goblin Harry following the ending of
The Amazing Spider-Man 2.
With that being said, Spider-Man appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems promising under the right circumstances, and I think there is a lot of untapped potential with his current situation with Sony and Marvel Studios. I think it was a smart decision for Sony to begin searching for a younger, possibly even teenage, actor to play Peter Parker as it would not only add certain believability factor to Spider-Man being a high school student that was previously missing with the previous to incarnations, but would also add longevity to the character and his role in this universe. There is something intriguing about Spider-Man starting off as a teenager in the films with an age-accurate actor and watching the character grow up into adulthood with the actor.
I am aware that many were disappointed upon hearing that we'd be getting another Peter Parker instead of Miles Morales but you have to understand that it wouldn't make since to just add Miles into the universe, especially when there is no evidence that Peter Parker even exists yet. Not only would it confused the general audience that is only familiar with Peter Parker but Miles Morales' character (origin and all) was built on the foundation laid by Peter Parker. Without Parker, there would be no Morales. And just because we're immediately getting Parker doesn't necessarily mean Morales won't show up eventually.
To briefly discuss a smaller bit of this news, Avi Arad was
finally put in his place bumped from producer to executive producer. What do I think of this? I'll sum my reaction to this with an emoticon:
:)
I am glad that we are getting Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without Marvel Studios reacquiring the rights as this will hopefully keep Marvel Studios from over-using Spider-Man. As I am sure most fans are aware, if Marvel Studios had owned the license to their full library of characters from the very start, lesser known character's such as Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man would've never seen the silver screen and there is a chance that the Marvel Cinematic Universe wouldn't be as reputable as it currently is as Marvel wouldn't have had to rely on quality for the success of their films. With Sony still having the final say with the character, hopefully this will encourage Marvel to keep adapting newer properties and continue giving us variety instead of relying on Spider-Man for success.
I also hope that Sony's involvement will keep Marvel from using Spider-Man inexplicably, as Spider-Man in the comics has always been more of a loner character. If Spider-Man teams up with another super-hero or the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then there needs to be a specific purpose for that team-up. There is no reason Spider-Man needs to be in
EVERY single
Avengers movie. Personally, while I understand the hype of Spider-Man joining the MCU, I've never understood some people's obsession with Spider-Man absolutely having to join the Avengers in the movies. Not only is Spider-Man a loner, but he has never been on any of the classic Avengers rosters in the comics. True he has been on newer Avengers rosters but what Marvel hero hasn't been on some Avengers team at one point or another? People getting upset that Spider-Man isn't in the Avengers is like getting upset because Spider-Man isn't reboot of
Fantastic Four (and, yes, Spider-Man was a member of the Fantastic Four in the comics).
If Spider-Man is to be in an
Avengers film, there should be a reason for it each time. For example, putting Spider-Man
in
Infinity War is a great idea because with Thanos taking hold of the Infinity Gauntlet, the Avengers need all the help they can get. Spider-Man should be an honourary member at best.
One concern I have is that Sony may have too much control. Now that Sony has slipped up twice with
Spider-Man 3 and
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and that the slip-ups appear to be with films that would've been good if it weren't for heavy interference from Sony, I hope that they are taking some creative advice from Marvel (who has a decent track record and a lot of creative talent) and that Marvel has a good amount of control as well with Spider-Man in THEIR Cinematic Universe. If their isn't anything in Sony and Marvel's contract that keeps Sony from just pulling Spider-Man from the MCU as soon as their company is back on its feet, then there is a heavy danger here. I have no doubt that with Avi Arad almost out of the picture, the quality of the films will go up at least slightly as he is infamous for his ego and his negative influence on the franchise.
And, as everyone on the face of the Earth has already pointed out, there should be NO ORIGIN STORY. While it is okay to show Peter Parker's origin in a small flashback or summed up in a short scene of exposition, their is no need for another origin movie as we have already gotten two of those and do not want to see another one. Another origin movie would be a colossal waste of time. Briefly explain the Marvel Cinematic Universe variation on the origin, the repercussions it has on this Spider-Man's current status quo (if any) and leave it at that.
And on that note, we don't want the romance front and centre anymore either. Not only will Sony and Marvel not be able to top the Peter/Gwen romance from
The Amazing Spider-Man films but with the first five films focusing heavily on the romance and with Spider-Man finally in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the new reboot should focus on the more comic book elements of the character.
And lastly, don't turn Spider-Man comics into a promotional campaign for the movies. This has been one of my biggest problems with Marvel Comics in recent years and it is very quickly getting out of hand. The Spider-Man side of the universe has been safe from this for the most part due to the rights being with Sony and, even with Spider-Man joining the MCU, lets keep it that way.
PROS AND CONS
Pros
* Spider-Man finally joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe!!!
* Sony still holding the license should prevent over-saturation of Spider-Man in the MCU
* Avi Arad gets the finger from Sony
* A fresh take on the character
Cons
* Comics to turn into promotional materials for the films like most of Marvel's current publications?
* Inexplicable team-ups?
* ANOTHER REBOOT?!
* Does Sony have too much control?
* Andrew Garfield gets the finger from Sony