Sony’s Movie Slate Limbo Makes Spider-Man 4’s Future More Mysterious Than Ever

The fact that one of Sony’s Marvel projects has been stuck in limbo for several years means that Spider-Man 4 in the MCU could introduce its two leading characters. Tom Holland debuted as the MCU’s Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man, in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, and the British actor has since gone on to star in a trilogy of solo Marvel Studios projects. His story is far from over, however, as Spider-Man 4 is in development for the MCU, and though not much is yet known about Holland’s upcoming appearance as Peter Parker, it’s possible that the strong relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony could once again benefit the MCU.

Outside the MCU, several other studios have adapted storylines and characters from Marvel Comics into their own shared universes, including 20th Century Fox’s X-Men and Fantastic Four franchises, and Sony’s various Spider-Man franchises. Starting with the 2018 release of Venom, Sony’s Spider-Man Universe began to explore Spider-Man-related villains from Marvel Comics, subsequently releasing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Morbius, and with a further Venom sequel, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter planned for 2024. One project that was planned for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe has been stuck in limbo, however, though this could end up benefiting Spider-Man 4, as it means two major characters may be available for the MCU.

Related: Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 5 & 6 List (& Beyond)

Sony’s Black Cat & Silver Sable Movies Could Decide Spider-Man 4’s Cast

Originally, Marvel Comics’ Felicia Hardy, a.k.a. Black Cat, a popular villain-turned-love-interest for Peter Parker, was planned to appear in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 4, and later in Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Neither of these came to fruition, and a planned female-led spinoff from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 also fell through, which would have introduced Silvija Sablinova, a.k.a. Silver Sable. Plans were officially canceled in 2015 following Sony and Marvel Studios’ deal, but were revived in 2017 with the prospect of Silver & Black, a project set in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. However, the project – eventually split into two solo films – has been stuck in development hell since then.

Currently, it’s unclear whether Silver & Black, or the solo projects, are still being considered for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, as they were canceled in 2018, though director Gina Prince-Bythewood has suggested she will return to discuss options with Sony. While the project might not be created at Sony, the fact that Black Cat and Silver Sable won’t be used at one studio means another could introduce them to live-action. Sony and Marvel Studios try and avoid using the same characters, so if Sony doesn’t debut Black Cat and Silver Sable, the two popular Marvel Comics villains could be brought into the MCU, potentially even in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Spider-Man 4.

Why Black Cat & Silver Sable Would Be Great For Spider-Man 4

If Silver & Black and Sony’s solo projects focusing on Black Cat and Silver Sable are officially canceled, it’s possible the two characters could be introduced to the MCU in Spider-Man 4. After Spider-Man: No Way Home, everyone, including his closest friends, has forgotten Peter Parker, so it’s likely Marvel Studios will debut new supporting characters for the wall-crawler. Black Cat is a prominent love-interest for Spider-Man in Marvel Comics, so with MJ out of the picture (for now), her appearance makes sense. She also has ties to Kingpin, who has been billed as a major villain for Peter Parker and the MCU’s street-level heroes in Spider-Man 4 and beyond.

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