“Spider-Man” film franchise fans—brace yourselves. I’m about to deliver some good news and some bad news. Are you ready?
According to The Wrap, the good news is that Sony has hired a writer to pen a new untitled “Spider-man” spin-off film. Even more intriguing, the report claims that the film might not be so obviously attached to the ‘Spidey’ universe that the studio has recently been mining with films like “Venom” and the upcoming “Morbius.” As The Wrap says, the new film “comes from a different corner of the Marvel universe that Sony has access to.” Whatever that means.
But as teased up top, this news comes with a heaping helping of “uh oh.”
You see, Sony has hired Roberto Orci to write the script for the new “Spider-Man” spin-off film. Yep, the very same Roberto Orci that co-wrote “The Amazing Spider-Man 2.” You know, the sequel that effectively killed the studio’s attempt to reboot the Spidey mythos with Andrew Garfield? The film that brought Sony to the doorstep of Disney and Marvel Studios, asking kindly if Kevin Feige and Co. would help save their dying franchise. That Roberto Orci.
He’s also the Roberto Orci that co-wrote films such as “Transformers,” “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Star Trek (2009),” “Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Cowboys & Aliens,” and “Mission: Impossible III.” Yes, he’s a graduate of JJ Abrams’ School of Mystery Boxes. So, take those credits for what they’re worth.
Now, don’t get me wrong, not everything he’s touched is garbage. I’ll defend (barely) the first “Transformers,” the first “Star Trek,” and “Mission: Impossible III.” Though not great films, those are all pretty fun, mostly competent action films. And for all the shit that gets tossed its way, ‘Amazing Spider-Man 2’ does have some lovely moments, particularly with Garfield as Spidey and his interactions with Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy. Although to be fair, the film is also filled with some horrible dialogue and story featuring Jamie Foxx’s Electro and Dane DeHaan’s Green Goblin.
Long story short, there’s good news and bad news with this announcement. Exploring a previously unseen part of Sony’s Marvel Universe could be fun. But then again, Orci doesn’t necessarily inspire the most confidence. (Also, we’d be remiss if we didn’t at least mention the whole 9/11 Truther thing. Eesh.)
READ MORE: Sony Announces 2021 Release Date For Mystery Marvel Film
No word on when this untitled “Spider-Man” spin-off might hit theaters, but Sony did recently schedule one for October 8, 2021. Though that date seems to be a little optimistic for this particular project.
Here’s some reminders of what we saw in “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”:
And to help wash that sour taste out of your mouth, here’s one scene that’s actually pretty great (IMHO):