Summary
Rumor has it that Sony and Marvel Studios have almost reached an agreement onSpider-Man 4. Unfortunately, there are still disagreements between the two studios. Sony seems to want a dramatically larger scope of movie than what Marvel and Kevin Feige desire for the fourth installment in the Tom Holland-led superhero franchise.
Despite the enormous success of Tom Holland’sSpider-Mantrilogy, the actor has gone on record that his return to the franchisewould be conditional. Only signed on for three films, the fourth would be an extension of his contract and Holland has stated that he would reprise his role only if the right story was found. One rumor states that Marvel and Sony are nearing completion but still hashing out the right story.
According toa Twitter postby HolyField News,while the two studios agree the movie will be street-level and premiere sometime in early 2026, Sony is pushing for the inclusion of many differentSpider-Mancharacters. This ranges from including characters from Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, such as Venom, Kraven the Hunter (whose film debut is yet to be seen), and even Miles Morales, toclassic Spider-Man villainslike Scorpion, Mysterio, and Norman Osborn.
Spider-Man 4may allegedly feature the appearance of an unknown MCU hero, while Sony is demanding the movie has a multiverse-related ending. This seems to be to intentionally set up the return of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spideys in later movies, though it is unknown whether these will be in a Holland-led Spider-Man, acontinuation of the actor’s respective franchises, or something else entirely. It was also revealed that Feige wants Drew Goddard to direct, a departure from Jon Watts, the director of all three previous Tom HollandSpider-Manfilms. Goddard’s best-known work includes his development of Netflix’sDaredevilseries, as well as his previous directorial effortsCabin in the WoodsandBad Times at the El Royale.
Fans may be skeptical of the nextSpider-Manfilm featuring so many characters and villains. Both Maguire and Garfield’sSpider-Manmovies were derailed by tepid critical reception in their final installments, a critique often attributed to being overstuffed with villains. YetNo Way Home, the latest live-actionSpider-Maninstallment, proved to be a success critically and at the box office, despite featuring a whole rogue’s gallery ofSpider-Manvillains returning to the screen, plus the appearances of Maguire and Garfield’s Spideys themselves.
Rumors a few months ago claimed that the two previousPeter Parkers would appear inSpider-Man 4, but it seems that Sony’s demands have been talked down to setting up future appearances instead. Time will tell whether Marvel and Sony firmly agree on this, or continue to negotiate the plot forSpider-Man 4.
