8 Possible Futures For The Spider-Man Movie Franchise

2. Sony Just Lets The Rights Run Out

If Sony want rid of Spider-Man then there is really only one option; leave it the hell alone and let the rights revert Marvel by the expiration of their contract. For reasons already stated Marvel shouldn't really be that bothered with Spider-Man, meaning this would be the only way (unless of course Fox tried to bring it to the X-Men, but we suspect Marvel would step in at that point) they could free themselves from it. It'd take real balls for Sony to actually just flat-out admit they were wrong and would prompt many "end of the genre" discussions, but would ultimately stand as an emblem of how Hollywood can't just let studio execs bully movies into existence and expect audiences to take it. From a fan standpoint this is the perfect way for things to go down; there'd be a noticeable gap between big screen appearances, meaning when (because they won't say no to free Spidey) Marvel does their take on him he'll feel somewhat fresh. We're not, however, at a point where this can happen just yet. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 was a disappointment on all counts sure, and the effect it's had on the character's reputation will prove to be seismic, but it wasn't the catastrophe we need for this to happen. However, unless Marvel prove themselves unrestrained and do buy it, this is little more than an inevitability. Or it would be, if it wasn't for the fact that Sony view films through accountancy glasses...