Ever since Sony Pictures took control of the Spider-Man franchise, there have always been rumors of spin-off films, particularly for the villain character Venom, but those have never come to fruition. Now it seems that may no longer be the case.
TheWrap reports that Sony Pictures Entertainment Co-Chairman Amy Pascal said the following in a presentation to investors earlier today: “We are going to access Marvel’s full world of Spider-Man characters, so be on the lookout for new heroes and villains.”
Now, this in itself doesn’t lend much to the idea of spin-offs. In fact, she could simply be referring to their plans to incorporate the Sinister Six into the franchise. However, Deadline later added that Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton had this to say on the matter: “We do very much have the ambition about creating a bigger universe around Spider-Man. There are a number of scripts in the works.”
It appears that Sony is looking to expand their cinematic Spider-Man world to a larger universe not unlike what Marvel Studios has done and what Warner Bros. is planning. This does beg the question, which Spider-Man characters are they looking at for spin-off films? Venom? Electro? Black Cat?
Sony already has their hands full with the regular Spider-Man franchise with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 set for release May 2, 2014, a third film currently set for release on June 10, 2016, and a fourth film in the franchise to follow on May 4, 2018.
