Credit: Marvel Studios/Sony PicturesWhen it comes to seeing our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man on the big screen, Sony Pictures tends to weave a pretty tangled web.
After Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, which stars Tobey Maguire (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Kirsten Dunst (Mary Jane Watson), James Franco (Harry Osborn), and J. K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson), the films were rebooted with The Amazing Spider-Man duology (2012–2014) starring Andrew Garfield, with a supporting cast that includes Emma Stone (Gwen Stacy), Sally Field (Aunt May), and Campbell Scott (Richard Parker).
Spider-Man’s MCU Career So Far
In 2015, Sony reached a licensing deal with Marvel for the use of Spidey in an MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) film, and Spider-Man was rebooted again.
Tom Holland became the new Peter Parker, making his first appearance in the crossover film Captain America: Civil War (2016), before returning in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019).
All the while, he led his own solo films, Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021), which also starred Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan), Zendaya (MJ/Michelle), Jacob Batalon (Ned), and Marisa Tomei (May Parker).
No Way Home United All Three Spidey Sagas
To make things less confusing (or more confusing, depending on your view of Multiverses), No Way Home reintroduced Maguire and Garfield’s versions of Spider-Man, teaming them up with Holland, as well as J. K. Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson and several villains from across the Raimi and Webb films, including Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn/Green Goblin), Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto Octavius/Doctor Octopus), and Jamie Foxx (Max Dillon/Electro).
Let’s not forget Sony’s animated film series: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), Across the Spider-Verse (2023), and the upcoming third installment, Beyond the Spider-Verse (2027). These films are produced by Sony Pictures Animation and largely follow their own self-contained continuity, although they reference Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU) and the MCU.
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe Is Over
Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is yet another film series dedicated to the character — or at least the world he occupies. Neither Peter Parker nor his wall-crawling alter ego appear in any of the SSU’s live-action films, which focus on supporting characters from the franchise.
There’s Venom (2018), Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), and Venom: The Last Dance (2024). Collectively, those films grossed $1.84 billion worldwide. The other three films that round out the SSU are Morbius (2022), Madame Web (2024), and Kraven the Hunter (2024). However, the latter two projects were both critical and financial failures.
Besides some mid-credits scenes that seemingly link the SSU to the MCU, and with the exception of the Venom trilogy, the films don’t have any common characters or storylines. And now, Sony has confirmed that it will be hitting reset on its villain-focused universe.
Recently, Sony chairman and CEO Tom Rothman confirmed that the SSU is hitting reset, which means that none of the actors across the six live-action films are expected to return.
On The Town podcast (via The Hollywood Reporter), Rothman was asked, “Where are we in the Spider-Man franchise? Not the animated Spider-Verse. Is the larger Spider-Verse dead?”, to which he replied that the franchise is getting a “fresh reboot” with “new people”.
While the following actors haven’t been named specifically, Rothman’s reference to a “fresh reboot” with “new people” implies that they won’t be returning.
Tom Hardy — Venom
In Venom, Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises) plays journalist Eddie Brock, who becomes infused with the titular alien symbiote. While the three films were commercial successes, they received mixed to negative reviews from audiences and critics.
Now, it has been confirmed that a fourth Venom film is in development as a fully animated feature, although whether Hardy will reprise his role and whether the film will form part of the new SSU are unclear.
Jared Leto — Dr. Michael Morbius/Morbius
Jared Leto’s time as Dr. Michael Morbius, the scientist-turned-vampire, will likely only be remembered for the meme, “It’s Morbin’ Time,” a line that doesn’t even appear in the film.
Morbius grossed $167.5 million against a budget of $75—$83 million but was hit with mostly negative reviews. As such, it’s unlikely Sony would reintroduce Leto in a follow-up.
Related: ‘Spider-Man’ Film Series Will Be Recast After ‘Brand New Day’, Sony Confirms
Dakota Johnson — Cassandra Webb/Madame Web
Madame Web was a meme in itself, as it quickly became the most-critically-panned movie of 2024 while grossing just $100.5 million against its $100 million budget.
Starring Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades of Grey) as spider-powered clairvoyant Cassandra Webb, the film is a tangled web of nonsense, cheesy dialogue, and cheap-looking set pieces.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson — Sergei Kravinoff/Kraven the Hunter
In Kraven the Hunter, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (28 Years Later) plays the titular big-game hunter, Sergei Kravinoff. The film grossed an abysmal $62 million worldwide against $110-$130 million.
Confirmed Spider-Man Projects
Spider-Man: Brand New Day
The next major Spidey project is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is set for theatrical release on July 31 this year. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, it sees the return of Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, alongside returning actors Zendaya (MJ), Jacob Batalon (Ned Leeds).
Sadie Sink has been cast in an undisclosed role, while Jon Bernthal and Mark Ruffalo reprise their roles as Frank Castle/The Punisher and Bruce Banner/The Hulk from the MCU, respectively.
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is the third installment in Sony’s animated film series, following Miles Morales and his wall-crawling alias and picking up after the cliffhanger ending of Across the Spider-Verse, in which Miles becomes trapped in an alternate universe. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on June 18, 2027.
Spider-Noir
Sony’s next Spider-Man project, Spider-Noir (2026), is set for release later this year. Starring Nicolas Cage (Ben Reilly/The Spider), who voiced Spider-Man Noir in Into the Spider-Verse, the superhero noir television series is said to take place in an alternate universe within the SSU. It will also recast several major villains from the wider franchise.
Spider-Noir is set to premiere on May 25 on MGM+ in the US, and globally on Prime Video on May 27. The series is being released in both black-and-white and color.
Rumored Spider-Man & Wolverine Movie
There are also reports that Sony is planning on developing a Spider-Man & Wolverine movie, following reports that the opening scene of the upcoming crossover film Avengers: Doomsday (2026), which releases on December 18, may feature Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man facing off against Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine.
Are you glad that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is being rebooted? What Spider-Man project are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments below!