Marvel universe may just lose Spider-Man

Reports makes it "almost certain" that superhero will be absent from crossover appearances in future Marvel films too

LOS ANGELES: Marvel's superhero films could be left without their most famous character after talks to "share" Spider-Man broke down between the Disney-owned studio and rival Sony, Hollywood media reported on Tuesday.

The Marvel movies have together grossed $22 billion at the global box office, and British actor Tom Holland's Spider-Man has become an increasingly central figure in the most lucrative franchise in film history.

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But while the teen web-slinger has for decades been the "crown jewel" of the Marvel comic book empire on which the films are based, Sony owns the character's movie rights.

He only began appearing in Marvel's "cinematic universe" after an almost unprecedented, and still highly secretive, 2015 deal struck between the Hollywood giants, with the two studios co-producing and splitting profits across the films.

That partnership has now broken up following Disney and Sony's failure to agree on financial terms for future films, multiple Hollywood media outlets said Tuesday.

A giant Spiderman poster in New York. PHOTO: AFP

Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige - widely credited with the phenomenal boom in comic book movies of the past decade - will no longer produce Sony's standalone Spider-Man films, according to Deadline, which broke the news.

In a statement sent to CNET, a Sony representative confirmed Disney's reluctance to have Feige serve as a producer on Sony-led Spider-Man movies was a major part of the issue.

"Much of today's news about Spider-Man has mischaracterised recent discussions about Kevin Feige's involvement in the franchise," the spokesperson said. "We are disappointed, but respect Disney's decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live action Spider-Man film."

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Sony's representative echoed that, saying Sony was "grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue."

The Sony rep also stated they hoped things might "change in the future."

This makes it "almost certain" that the character Spider-Man will be absent from crossover appearances in future Marvel films too, according to Hollywood Reporter journalist Graeme McMillan.

"Ultimately, this is far more of a problem for Marvel than it is for Sony," he wrote, noting how Spider-Man had become "the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe" by the franchise's most recent movie.

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According to Deadline, Marvel parent Disney had wanted to significantly increase its financial stake in future Spider-Man films, while Sony refused to alter the existing terms.

In financial terms, Spider-Man is one of the most successful superheroes in movie history.

Holland's iteration of Spider-Man has appeared in a total of five Marvel Studios and Sony films since the collaboration deal, which collectively grossed almost $8 billion worldwide.

These span from his introduction in Captain America: Civil War to a starring role in the series' most recent outing, Spider-Man: Far From Home.

A stuntman in a spiderman costume swings through the air at the world premiere of "The Amazing Spider-man" in Tokyo on June 13, 2012. Cast members attended the premiere of the latest spiderman movie. PHOTO : AFP

They also included Avengers: Endgame, the biggest-grossing movie of all time.

At Comic-Con last month, Marvel Studios set out a timeline of films and television shows scheduled for the next two years including new outings for popular characters Thor, Black Widow, Doctor Strange and Loki - but none featuring Spider-Man.

Neither Sony nor Disney has publicly commented on the reports.

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