It’s clear at this point that a connection exists between the MCU and Sony’s corner of the Marvel Universe. Spider-Man: No Way Home seems to be the nexus of all of this, with Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange, Jamie Foxx’s Electro and Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus appearing in the film, while the Jared Leto-led Morbius seems to have Michael Keaton returning as the Vulture. But how far does this relationship really go?
Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group President Sanford Panitch spoke with Variety and says those eager to know of future crossover plans will have to wait until after No Way Home to find out…
“There actually is a plan. I think now maybe it’s getting a little more clear for people where we’re headed, and I think when ‘No Way Home’ comes out, even more will be revealed,” Panitch said.
One of many rumors that have persisted centers on the Sinister Six, the group of villains who have been a constant thorn in Spidey’s side. These stories have perked up recently, with one outlet claiming Willem Dafoe’s Green Goblin would return to lead them in No Way Home. In regards to a spinoff centering on the Sinister Six, Panitch said it would be “very cool.”
Sony has basically been rehashing old plans they had during the Andrew Garfield Spider-Man era, and Sinister Six would be right in line with that.
“We don’t really think of our 900 characters as the Spidey-verse. We have a Marvel universe,” Panitch said. “The volume of characters we have — you know, wait until you see this next Venom. You don’t miss Spider-Man,” he said before pausing to add, “It’ll be exciting if they do meet, right?”
In other words, they don’t need to be part of the MCU to thrive and build a Marvel Universe of their own. Fortunately, Panitch also describes the relationship with Marvel Studios as “excellent”, suggesting they’ll be working together more in the future.
Spider-Man: No Way Home opens December 17th. That will be preceded by Sony’s Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which will NOT have Tom Holland’s Spidey in it, on September 24th. Morbius arrives on January 28th 2022. Kraven the Hunter, which will star Aaron Taylor-Johnson, opens in January 2023.
