Variety.com is starting to look at the big picture regarding Amy Pascal stepping down as a Sony executive. Earlier today we also raised questions on what Pascal’s resignation could mean for Spidey.
Again, it’s all speculation until we hear anything officially, but the pieces may be falling into place. From Variety:
The biggest decision for Lynton and Pascal’s successor will be how to handle the Spider-Man franchise. “The Amazing Spider-Man 2″ did respectable business last summer but was hardly the $1 billion blockbuster that Pascal had told folks that she needed it to be.
“Spider-Man” remains a cash cow but the plans for expanding the Spidey universe through villain spin-offs and the next installment may be reexamined — since Pascal played the leading role pursuing that path. A new regime may take a stronger look at returning to the negotiation table with Marvel Studios over Spidey’s rights.
Sony’s last move on that front came in July during Comic-Con when the studio dated spin-off “Sinister Six” for Nov. 11, 2016, as the next tentpole in its key property — while moving back “The Amazing Spider-Man 3″ two years to 2018. The idea of bringing in villains is aimed at making Sony a stronger competitor against the likes of Disney/Marvel’s “Avengers” and Warner Bros.’ “Justice League” superheroes in the coming years.
Again, since Sony was willing to say goodbye to the popular Everquest game franchise earlier this week… it makes us wonder if Disney might try to buy Sony Pictures Entertainment outright, giving them both Spider-Man and production rights on James Bond.
Hat-tip to PunyParker on our boards for alerting me to the Variety article.
–Goerge Berryman!
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@2 Holy shit…..
I can’t help but wonder how much is going on behind the scenes that we are totally not aware of. The internet is bursting with speculation about Spider-Man’s future. But how much of this speculation is just that – speculation?! Could it not be that “The Sinister Six” will be the next Spider-Man film? Amazing 2 sort of set this up, didn’t it? I’m not convinced that Sony is as desperate as the internet makes them out to be until they come out with the news that Spidey goes back to Marvel …
Prove me wrong.
@1 – Remember though that Disney owned Miramax for 17 years from 1993 to 2010. During that time movies like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill were released via Miramax, which was owned by Disney.
“production rights on James Bond.” – I know this isn’t Spider related and purely speculative, but a Disney produced Bond film does not sound pleasant.