For more than a month, everybody has been talking about Spider-Man leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the offers from Marvel Studios turned down, the franchise will be entirely handled by the Sony. However, like always there are two sides to the story, and Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo think that Sony’s attempt to replicate the success of Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige is a “tragic” mistake.
The Russo Brothers have been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. Though they are a part of the Marvel Studios family, their side of the story is also worth considering, specifically with how they have successfully used Spider-Man in movies like Civil War to Endgame.
Talking about the Spider-Man situation a few weeks ago, the Russos admitted that they were not surprised by the split between Marvel Studios and Sony. Recently, the directors spoke again in another interview about how hard it was to reach a deal in the first place and how the future will be for Spidey to leave MCU now. Joe Russo had this to say:
“It was so difficult to get him (Spider-Man) into Civil War. It was an extremely long and hard process. But we were driven to help make it happen. But (Marvel Studios President) Kevin Feige pulled it off, somehow. Disney and all the good people at Sony found a way to make it work and it lasted a few films. We had a wonderful experience with that and I think audiences really appreciated that marriage. But we know how hard that marriage was to make in the first place, so the fact that the marriage fell apart isn’t really that surprising to me and Joe.”
Russo also mentioned that the relationship between Marvel Studios and Sony wasn’t always easy to deal with, as sharing one of the biggest superheroes in the world with a rival studio is a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, the short-lived the relationship with the two studios was incredibly fruitful for both and to go on without Marvel Studios is a mistake, according to Joe Russo.
He explains: “It was a tenuous, fraught union throughout the whole process. But, I will say, stepping back and trying to be objective as possible, that I think it’s a tragic mistake on Sony’s part to think that they can replicate Kevin’s penchant for telling incredible stories and the amazing success he has had over the years. I think it’s a big mistake.”
Whatever the case may be, a lot of Marvel Cinematic Universe fans are agreeing with Joe Russo. It is true that Sony had a huge part in making Spider-Man successful. However, their track record for handling the Web-Slinger has not always been so great. Not to mention the lack of someone like Kevin Feige with storytelling skills.
Recent announcements from Sony is revealing that they have plans to bring the Spider-Verse all together under one umbrella. Though fans definitely want to see Tom Hardy and Tom Holland together on the big screen, will Sony be able to pull it off in a satisfying way is the bigger question. Guess we will have to wait a little longer to see how things will turn out, as Sony’s Venom 2 is expected to hit theatres in 2021.
