Spider-Man Cinematic Universe explodes with news of VENOM and SINISTER SIX feature films!

Spider-Man Cinematic Universe explodes with news of VENOM and SINISTER SIX feature films!

Ah yes, the new trend in Hollywood for comic book based films is to build an expansive cinematic universe that brings several characters together from multiple films that all tie into each other instead of sticking to just solo (Batman) or team (X-Men) films set in a trilogy of films only.  Marvel started this trend with the release of IRON MAN back in 2008 and they kicked off several solo films with in-references to each other until finally, they all came together in last year’s THE AVENGERS.  It was something that really had never been done before but made so much sense.

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Not to be outdone, Fox hired Mark Millar (and now Simon Kinberg)  to be their universe coordinator over their properties which include X-MEN and THE FANTASTIC FOUR.  While not much has happened on that front, the thought is that we may see the current X-MEN franchise (do out next year with the next installment X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST and a follow up in 2016 tentatively titled X-MEN: APOCALYPSE) cross-pollinate with the new FANTASTIC FOUR film (directed by CHRONICLE helmer Josh Trank) due out in 2015 and the planned X-FORCE film to possibly be directed by KICK-ASS 2 director Jeff Wadlow.

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In addition, Warner Bros. and DC Comics have launched their DCCU (DC Cinematic Universe) with this year’s MAN OF STEEL and with the inclusion of Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) in 2015’s sequel, they are already on their way.  It is said that David Goyer and Zack Snyder will be the coordinator’s of DC’s universe with a planned JUSTICE LEAGUE film in the works.

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This morning, not to be outdone, Sony has confirmed that they too are expanding their comic properties into a cinematic universe.  The difference?  Spider-Man is their only property.  This forces them to get a little creative and it appears that they have found a good way to do this.  Via a press release which was accessed from the viral site www.electrorises.com, Sony has announced that they will be moving forward with films centering around some of Spider-Man’s greatest foes: VENOM and THE SINISTER SIX.

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Check out the press release:

SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT TO EXPAND THE SPIDER-MAN UNIVERSE ONSCREEN WITH ALL-STAR WRITING TEAM  

Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner, Ed Solomon, and Drew Goddard to Collaborate with Marc Webb and Producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmachon Developing the Universe and Expanding the Story in “The Amazing Spider-Man 3,” “Venom,” and “The Sinister Six” 

CULVER CITY, Calif., December 12, 2013 – In a move to forge a new legacy in the story of Peter Parker on screen, Sony Pictures Entertainment, in association with Marvel Entertainment,is developing several new projects in the Spider-Man franchise, with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner, Ed Solomon, and Drew Goddard to collaborate on overseeing the developingstory over several films that will be produced by Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. 

The five writers, along with the two producers and Marc Webb, have formed a franchise brain trust to expand the universe for the brand and to develop a continuous tone and thread throughout the films.  Under the deals, the studio announced that Kurtzman & Orci & Pinkner are writing the screenplay for The Amazing Spider-Man 3, which the studio hopes Webb will return to direct; the film will go into production next fall for release on June 10, 2016.  In addition, the team will build on the cinematic foundation laid by Webb, Arad, and Tolmach in the first two movies.  They will expand the franchise as Kurtzman & Orci & Solomon will write the screenplay for Venom, which Kurtzman will direct; also, Goddard will write, with an eye to direct, The Sinister Six, focusing on the villains in the franchise.  Hannah Minghella and RachelO’Connor will oversee the development and production of these films for the studio. 

In tapping these five writers, the studio and the producers are guiding the future of the franchise with the writer/producers who have each played significant and key roles in developing such highly successful franchises, films, and series as Star Trek, Transformers, “Alias,” “Fringe,” Men in Black, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, World War Z, “Lost,” Cloverfield, The Cabin in the Woods, and Marvel’s upcoming “Daredevil” series. 

Commenting on the announcement, Belgrad said, “The Spider-Man film franchise is one of our studio’s greatest assets.  We are thrilled with the creative team we have assembled to delve more deeply into the world that Marc, Avi and Matt have begun to explore in The Amazing Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man 2.  We believe that Marc, Alex, and Drew have uniquely exciting visions for how to expand the Spider-Man universe in each of these upcoming films.”                                                                                                                                                  

Arad and Tolmach added, “This collaboration was born out of the great experience we and Marchad working with Alex, Bob, and Jeff on The Amazing Spider-Man 2.  With more than fifty years’ wealth of stories in the comic books to draw upon for inspiration, the Spider-Man universe is truly boundless; in addition, the Spider-Man comics have the greatest rogues gallery of any series, and to have the chance to explore that on film is truly thrilling.  Until now, we have approached each film as a separate, self-contained entity, but with this move, we have the opportunity to grow the franchise by looking to the future as we develop a continuous arc for the story.  That is what Alex, Bob, Jeff, Ed, and Drew will do in this unprecedented collaboration,and we’re excited about the directions they are taking the character and the world.” 

The most successful franchise in the history of Columbia Pictures, Spider-Man is embraced allover the world.  The four Spider-Man films to date have taken in over $3.2 billion worldwide. Spider-Man, Venom, The Sinister Six and other Spider-Man related characters are licensed to Sony by Marvel Entertainment. 

About Sony Pictures Entertainment

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production,acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, gotohttp://www.sonypictures.com. 

About Marvel Entertainment

Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing.  For more information visit marvel.com.

So there you go.  Spider-Man’s universe is expanding.  What this will ultimately mean (how will these tie in, will Spider-Man be present in these villain solo-pieces, who will act as the foils in the films) is still yet to be seen, but as always, it’s a great time to be a comic-book fan.

The original Sinister Six included Doctor Octopus, The Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman and Electro, but there have been so many different iterations throughout the years that it really is anyone’s guess as to who will actually make up this version.  The new trailer (below) showcases some version of the Goblin, Electro, Rhino with well placed hints to The Vulture and Doctor Octopus (as well as some very well hidden references to Venom and Morbius) so it really is anyone’s guess.

Venom - Morbius

So, that really is a lot to take in.  What are your thoughts on the news?

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THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (Columbia Pictures, Sony) is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman, Robert Orci and Jeff Pinkner and stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Campbell Scott, Embeth Davidtz, Colm Feore, Paul Giamatti, Sally Field and B.J. Nova.

SYNOPSIS: We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield). For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone). But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: Oscorp.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 is set to swing into 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D theaters on May 2, 2014.

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About the Author

Jim is an avid movie enthusiast, representing the general movie going audience, looking at movies for their entertainment value as opposed to their critical weight. He enjoys the escapism that movies provide. He is a fan of all genre's of movies, but gravitates toward comic-based movies, summer "popcorn" flicks and over-the-top comedies as his preference.