Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: MCU Movies

  • Exploring ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s’ Possible Connections to Old Man Logan

    Exploring ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’s’ Possible Connections to Old Man Logan

    The latest look at Deadpool & Wolverine gave fans a lot to chew on with plenty of cameos and Easter eggs. One of the most prominent, of course, was the head of some Multiversal Variant Giant-Man which seems to serve as the base for Cassandra Nova’s Void wasteland warriors. It’s a visually stunning set piece and, as many have already pointed out, reminiscent of a concept used in Mark Millar and Steve McNiven’s Old Man Logan limited series. While it could be the case that it’s just a really great Easter egg inspired by a beloved comic series, it could be possible that there’s more to it than that. Could Deadpool & Wolverine have taken a little more inspiration from Old Man Logan than just a dead Giant-Man?

    What Is Old Man Logan All About?

    In the dystopian future of the Marvel Universe, the aged Wolverine, also known as Old Man Logan, emerges as a weathered and battle-hardened hero. This seasoned mutant, once known as Logan, has endured unimaginable hardships, bearing the scars of countless battles and the weight of a tragic past. In this alternate reality, the X-Men have fallen, and Logan wanders a world overrun by villains, haunted by memories of his past failures.

    Old Man Logan’s journey is one of survival and redemption. Despite the world-weary burden he carries, he confronts the challenges of this desolate landscape with a resilience born from years of experience. From facing off against the remnants of his former allies to battling ruthless adversaries like the Hulk and the Red Skull, Logan fights not just for his own survival but for a chance to reclaim his sense of purpose.

    Accompanied by an unlikely ally, Hawkeye, Old Man Logan embarks on a perilous adventure across this ravaged landscape. Together, they traverse the dangerous territories of this broken world, encountering both friend and foe along the way. Through their encounters with entities like Emma Frost, Maestro, and the enigmatic Mysterio, they uncover the grim realities of a society teetering on the brink of collapse.

    In this alternate future universe depicted in the comics, supervillains have taken control of the United States, dividing the country among themselves after a coordinated attack led by a group of villains, including Mysterio.

    Mysterio’s role in “Old Man Logan” is particularly dark and impactful. He uses his skills as a master illusionist and manipulator to trick Wolverine, the story’s protagonist, into believing that the X-Men and other superheroes are attacking the X-Mansion. In his manipulated state, Wolverine unleashes his claws and goes on a brutal rampage, only to realize too late that he has actually slaughtered his fellow mutants, including his X-Men teammates. This traumatic event leads Wolverine to swear off violence and retreat into a reclusive life as a farmer. Though Mysterio himself meets a grim fate at the hands of Wolverine later in the story, his actions leave a lasting impact on both the character of Wolverine and the world he inhabits.

    Despite his advanced age, Old Man Logan proves that age is no barrier to heroism. His grizzled determination and seasoned skills make him a formidable force against the forces of evil that seek to dominate this apocalyptic world. With each battle he fights and every obstacle he overcomes, Logan reaffirms his status as a legendary figure in the Marvel Universe.

    The tale of Old Man Logan is not just one of action and adventure, but also of introspection and redemption. Through his struggles and triumphs, Logan grapples with his own inner demons, seeking to find peace amidst the chaos of a shattered world. His journey serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of the X-Men and the timeless legacy of one of Marvel’s most iconic characters, Wolverine.

    How Could Deadpool & Wolverine Adapt Old Man Logan?

    Emma Corrin as Cassandra Nova in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    2018’s Logan was, ostensibly, inspired by Old Man Logan; however, it certainly was not a direct adaptation. Other than involving a Logan who was an old man and the majority of the X-Men being dead, the world inhabited by Logan, Charles and Laura was vastly different than the one in Millar and McNiven’s work. Perhaps the biggest change was that their world wasn’t a wasteland controlled by supervillains. But it looks like that’s exactly what’s happening in Deadpool & Wolverine.

    The new trailer makes it clear that while Alioth is still a fearsome force in the Void, Cassandra Nova and her collection of villainous Variants are in charge whenever Alioth isn’t out and about. Whatever Wade and Logan hope to accomplish in the film, it looks like they’ll have to go through Emma Corrin’s Nova to make it happen but it also looks like it’ll first take a little convincing to get Logan on board. That idea also parallels the events of Old Man Logan in which Logan had promised never to pop his claws again, a promise he kept for 50 years.

    Of course, the biggest similarity between Old Man Logan‘s Logan and the Logan Variant seen in Deadpool & Wolverine is that they have both been destroyed and are haunted by some trauma experienced in their home worlds. In Old Man Logan, Wolverine murdered his X-Men teammates; in Deadpool & Wolverine, Wolverine “let his entire world down,” according to Matthew Macfadyen‘s TVA Agent Paradox. While fans shouldn’t expect to see Logan slaughtering his teammates in Deadpool & Wolverine, the trauma he experienced on his Earth (which as I understand it is not the one from the Logan timeline nor the one from which Corrin‘s Cassandra Nova was pruned) has certainly taken the piss out of Weapon X.

    It also seems clear that, at least in part, Deadpool & Wolverine‘s creative team took some inspiration from Steve McNiven‘s glorious artwork in Old Man Logan in fleshing out the Void. And why not? The Void can contain just about anything anyone can imagine, including not just the head of a Giant-Man but the entire body: indeed the Void seems to have its very own Pym Falls, whether it’s called that in the film or not. Who knows what other wonders await in the Wasteland…er Void.

    And, of course, at its core, Old Man Logan is a buddy movie where Logan and an old, beat up and blind Clint Barton set out across the Wasteland on a dangerous journey and encounter all sorts of danger and chaos along the way while finding out they’re still the heroes they’d always been. That seems to be, at least in part, a core theme of Deadpool & Wolverine, though it might end up drowned in blood and dick jokes.

    With only two trailers–neither of which was particularly revealing–to go on, it’s impossible to say just how much of Old Man Logan was adapted into Deadpool & Wolverine; however, it certainly seems like we’ve seen enough to conclude that Millar and McNiven’s masterpiece made an impact on the writers, directors and production designers of the film.

    Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters in the U.S. on July 26th.

  • Two Characters Missing from the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer Rumored to Play Significant Roles in the Film

    Two Characters Missing from the ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer Rumored to Play Significant Roles in the Film

    A new look at Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine was certainly full of goodies for eagle-eye (and not-so-eagle-eyed fans). From a Giant-Man’s head being used as a base for Cassandra Nova’s Void wasteland crew, to quick peeks at Azazel and Lady Deathstrike to Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine Variant wearing the classic, sleeveless uniform, the trailer seemed to catch the fancy of most fans. However, given everything that’s (mostly) public knowledge about the film, it’s hard not to feel like through two trailers there’s a whole lot more we have not seen…and that’s a good thing! And according to one scooper with a very solid track record on Marvel Studios’ projects, two characters who have been rumored to appear but have yet to be seen in any footage or promo art for the film are set to play a surprisingly larger role than most expected.

    Potential spoilers for the film from here on out…

    Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    According to Daniel RPK, Dafne Keen‘s X-23 and Channing Tatum‘s Gambit both have “decent-sized” roles in the film rather than just cameos. Tatum’s potential role in the film was the subject of a recent rumor that indicated the actor would finally get to try out his Cajun accent after his solo Gambit project was scrapped following the Disney/Fox deal. Given the presence of the 20th Century Studios sign in the Void, there’s plenty of room for some jokes about how the film–which was in development for 3+ years–was pruned from some timeline out in the vast Multiverse.

    The inclusion of Keen‘s X-23 has been rumored for as long as the film has been in production. Interestingly enough, an adult Variant of the character, played by Natalia Teena, was recently rumored to appear as well, causing fans to question if Keen’s version of the character would still appear. RPK’s apparent confirmation of Keen’s involvement comes on the heels of some strong speculation that a scene from the trailer for the film may be from a larger portion of the film that features Wolverine talking to X-23, who is off-screen in the trailer.

    Given that the Void is the primary setting for the project, there’s no doubt that any number of characters and Variants of them from the Fox X-Men films (made and unmade) could show up in Deadpool & Wolverine. We’ll all find out together which characters made the cut when the film hits theaters on July 26th.

  • New ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer Reveals Logan is a [SPOILER]

    New ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer Reveals Logan is a [SPOILER]

    Marvel Studios’ only 2024 theatrical release, Deadpool & Wolverine, hits theaters in just 3 months and while plenty about the film’s plot has made its way online through leaks, the latest trailer for the film just revealed a pretty big piece of information about one of the titular characters.

    While most of the speculation around how Wade Wilson and Logan end up working together revolved around Wade plucking Wolverine from the timeline seen in 2018’s Logan, it turns out that the Wolverine in the film is a Variant that, as far as we can tell, from an alternate universe that we haven’t seen before.

    As revealed during the trailer by Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Paradox, “this Wolverine let his entire world down.”

    Updating…

  • Tom Holland Finally Addresses His Future as Spider-Man

    Tom Holland Finally Addresses His Future as Spider-Man

    Even before Spider-Man: No Way Home hit theaters, fans had already begun wondering if star Tom Holland would be up for more adventures as Spider-Man. After first appearing as the character in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, Holland suited up as Spidey in five more films over the next six years. However, the day No Way Home hit theaters, Marvel Studios One Above All Kevin Feige assured fans that a fourth installment in the franchise was already in development, assuaging fears that Holland’s days as the Web-Slinger were done. In late 2022, rumors began to swirl that Holland had reached a new deal that would keep him in the suit for several more years but nearly a year and a half later, there’s never been any word from Holland as to the veracity of those reports, only that he’s very protective of the character and would not make another film just to appease fans. Now as word begins to trickle out that production on Spider-Man 4 is set to kick off later this year, the actor has finally spoken about his future as the Wallcrawler.

    In an interview with Deadline, Holland explained that while there’s still work to do on getting the fourth installment in the franchise up and running, he will “I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films.”

    “The simple answer is that I’ll always want to do Spider-Man films,” Holland explained to Deadline when asked if he planned to return to the dual roles of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. “I owe my life and career to Spider-Man. So the simple answer is yes. I’ll always want to do more.” And while those comments will certainly relieve any anxiety fans have about seeing the character return to action in the MCU, Holland once again shared that his return for a follow-up to Spider-Man: No Way Home is dependent on a story that does the character justice.

    “We have the best in the business working toward whatever the story might be. But until we’ve cracked it, we have a legacy to protect,” said Holland. “The third movie was so special in so many ways that we need to make sure we do the right thing.” The actor then revealed that he’s working behind the scenes with the creative team to ensure the right thing is done. “This is the first time in this process that I’ve been part of the creative so early. It’s just a process where I’m watching and learning. It’s just a really fun stage for me. Like I said, everyone wants it to happen. But we want to make sure we’re not overdoing the same things.”

    While it’s unknown who is penning the script for Spider-Man 4, Feige indicated that work on the story was already underway in February 2023. Rumors about the film’s plot have pointed toward it tying in with the events of the Disney Plus streaming series Daredevil: Born Again and featuring a street-level civil war pitting a team of heroes against Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Wilson Fisk and his anit-vigilante task force. With Sony reportedly having an eye on a 2025 release for the film, things behind the scenes will have to come together fairly quickly.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘The Marvels’ Post-Credit Scene Holds a Major Clue Most Fans Missed in Theaters

    ‘The Marvels’ Post-Credit Scene Holds a Major Clue Most Fans Missed in Theaters

    Despite being a box office disappointment for Marvel Studios, 2023’s The Marvels found life on Disney Plus and continues to generate more conversation online now than when it was in theaters. The film’s conclusion saw Monica Rambeau stranded in another universe that not only had its own team of X-Men but also a Variant of her mother, Maria, who was the costumed hero known as Binary.

    While the revelation of a universe in which the X-Men work with Avengers-level heroes was fascinating in its own right, a detail about Binary’s costume that was missed by many fans in theaters has become the center of some interesting theories. As can be clearly seen on more than one occasion over the course of the film’s final scenes, Lashana Lynch’s Binary’s costume comes complete with a complete pair of The Marvels‘ MacGuffin, the Quantum Bands.

    First introduced to the MCU in the Disney Plus streaming series Ms. Marvel, the Quantum Bands are a pair of ancient artifacts of enormous power. Created by the Kree, the Quantum Bands were used to create wormholes in space that ultimately formed the Universal Neural Teleportation Network. The Network has been seen and used in more than a half-dozen MCU projects such as all three Guardians of the Galaxy films, Avengers: Endgame and both Captain Marvel and The Marvels. While both Kamala Khan and Dar-Benn were shown to be able to use one of the pair of Quantum Bands, when Dar-Benn attempted to use both together, the energy created not only eviscerated her but also ripped a hole in the fabric of spacetime, causing an Incursion. However, if Maria Rambeau’s Binary is who we think she is, the Quantum Bands won’t be a problem for her.

    Who is Binary in the Comics?

    Binary, the cosmic alter ego of Carol Danvers, emerges from her background as a former Air Force officer and NASA security chief. Following exposure to Kree technology, she inherits a suite of extraordinary abilities, including energy manipulation, superhuman strength, and flight. As Binary, Carol harnesses cosmic energy, enabling her to create energy constructs, possess cosmic awareness, and engage in intergalactic adventures.

    Despite her formidable powers, Binary faces vulnerabilities, notably her reliance on energy absorption and susceptibility to magical attacks. However, her resilience and determination shine through as she navigates cosmic challenges and confronts formidable adversaries. Through her experiences, Binary’s legacy as a cosmic hero solidifies, inspiring readers with her unwavering commitment to safeguarding the universe.

    Carol Danvers’ journey as Binary represents a significant evolution in her character arc, showcasing her transition from a terrestrial hero to a cosmic force. Her time as Binary serves as a pivotal chapter in her superhero career, highlighting her adaptability and willingness to embrace her cosmic heritage. As she returns to her role as Captain Marvel, Binary’s legacy endures, leaving an indelible mark on the Marvel Comics universe and inspiring future generations of readers with her cosmic exploits.

    What are the Quantum Bands in the Comics?

    The Quantum Bands, revered artifacts within Marvel Comics lore, are cosmic instruments of immense power. Crafted by the cosmic entity Eon, these bands are worn on the wrists and serve as conduits for quantum energy. Bestowed upon worthy individuals, the Quantum Bands grant their wielders a formidable array of abilities, ranging from flight and enhanced physical prowess to the manipulation of cosmic energies.

    The Quantum Bands stand as symbols of cosmic authority and responsibility, embodying the balance between power and duty. Wielders of the bands often find themselves at the forefront of cosmic conflicts, tasked with maintaining order and protecting the universe from malevolent forces. As enduring artifacts of cosmic significance, the Quantum Bands continue to play a pivotal role in Marvel Comics narratives, representing the enduring struggle between light and darkness on a cosmic scale.

    How Binary Could Use the Bands in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

    Should Maria Rambeau’s Binary possess the powers the character possessed in the comics, using the Quantum Bands would prove less problematic for her than they did for Dar-Benn. While there’s no way to know how Monica’s speech with the Variant of her mother went in the alternate universe where she was trapped, the fact that Monica is stranded in a universe other than her own and the comic book version of the Bands being so connected to major Cosmic events suggest that we’ve not seen the last of that universe. It rather seems more likely that the fact that Maria is the owner of her own pair of Quantum Bands suggests we’ll not only see that universe again in the MCU but that it may be central to the resolution of the Multiverse Saga.

  • Marvel Studios Rolls Out Poster, Teaser Ahead of New Trailer for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

    Marvel Studios Rolls Out Poster, Teaser Ahead of New Trailer for ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’

    Marvel Studios’ only theatrical release of 2024, Deadpool and Wolverine, is due out in just about 12 weeks which means it’s time for the big wheel of promotion to start rolling in earnest. To that end, with a new trailer due out tomorrow, the studio has pushed out a teaser on social media along with a new poster for the film.

    The poster gives a great look at the detail of the arm of Hugh Jackman’s comic-accurate suit.

    The teaser itself doesn’t seem to give anything away, though it does spend a lot of its runtime on the death of Wolverine as seen in 2018’s Logan.

    Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters on July 26th!

  • Positive Rumblings Continue to Surface about Marvel Studios’ Next Avengers Film

    Positive Rumblings Continue to Surface about Marvel Studios’ Next Avengers Film

    2023 was a tough year for Marvel Studios. Between the poor performance of a poor movie (Ant-Man and The Wasp:  Quantumania), the poor performance of a better movie (The Marvels) and an abomination of a streaming series that doesn’t seem to have any redeeming qualities (Secret Invasion), the studio’s once sterling reputation for churning out quality projects took a hit. With the ground beneath their Multiverse Saga already a bit shaky, news broke that Jonathan Majors, who had signed on as the saga’s big bad, was accused of assault and harassment of his girlfriend. Majors was later convicted of those charges and fired by the studio. Publicly, 2023 was an all-around bad look for the studio.

    Things weren’t much better behind the scenes either. Several projects in development came under intense scrutiny as the aforementioned projects didn’t land with the usual fanfare. Notably, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty lost its writer, Jeff Loveness, its director, Destin Daniel Cretton, and its subtitle. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness writer Michael Waldron, who was already working on Avengers: Secret Wars, took over writing duties on Avengers 5 but as nonword emerged on a mew director, fama began to wonder just how big of a mess there was to clean up and if the film would make its 2026 release date. 2023 was a rough year but as the spring of 2024 arrives, so does some hope for the project.

    According to reliable scoopers Jeff “The In” Sneider and Daniel RPK, Marvel Studios is currently searching for a director for Avengers 5. More promising is that the studio is reportedly planning to start principal photography on the project in early 2025 with an eye on making the May 1, 2026 release date.

    While no names were shared by either insider, Sneider’s report came with the addendum that he’s heard the studio is seeking a director with whom they haven’t worked before. If accurate, that means names like Ryan Coogler, Justin Benson and Aaron Moorehead, or even Sam Raimi, aren’t going to land the gig. It also means Joe and Anthony Russo, who sheparded the studio through the back half of the Infinity Saga, probably aren’t coming back to save the day.

    Even without a solid idea of who might be helming the film, moving ahead with the search likely means Waldron’s work on the script for Avengers 5 has been progressing well. If so, names of potential directors will certainly begin to emerge over the weeks and months ahead as the studio will look to pair Waldron with someone with a similar creative vision, allowing them to get to work on revising the script and preparing for production.

  • ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Rumored to Feature a Variant of a Fan-Favorite X-Men Character

    ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ Rumored to Feature a Variant of a Fan-Favorite X-Men Character

    The Deadpool and Wolverine rumor mill will probably continue to spit out wild new stories until the film hits theaters. At different points in time, everyone from Ben Affleck to Owen Wilson has been rumored to pop up in the threequel which is due in theaters this July. With so many rumors already out there, what’s the harm in sharing one more?

    According to Nexus Point News, actress Natalia Tena will portray an adult version of Laura Kinney, aka X-23.

    X-23’s presence in Deadpool and Wolverine has long been the subject of speculation given the role the character played in 2018’s Logan. Rumors have made the rounds that Dafne Keene was poised to reprise the role. Nexus Point News also claims they can confirm Keene will also appear as X-23 in Deadpool and Wolverine.

    Tena has quite a resume that will resonate with fanboys. Best known for her role as Nymohadora Tonks in the Harry Potter franchise, she’s also appeared in The Mandalorian, Game of Thrones and John Wick: Chapter 4.

    Source: Nexus Point News

  • Marvel Studios’ Finely Honed ‘Blade’ Moving Ahead with Some Interesting Revisions

    Marvel Studios’ Finely Honed ‘Blade’ Moving Ahead with Some Interesting Revisions

    First announced at SDCC ’19, Marvel Studios’ Blade has become something of an enigma. Constant changes to the project’s creative team and the 2023 Hollywood strikes delayed the film so many times that fans began to believe the Daywalker would never make it back to the big screen. However, although the film was left out of Kevin Feige’s CinemaCon presentation of Marvel Studios’ 2025 films, Blade is still making its way down the production pipeline and the studio has every intention of bringing Mahershala Ali‘s passion project to theaters.

    In January 2024, rumors of the latest version of the film’s script, written by Michael Green, surfaced and it sounded pretty badass. At that time, the film was said to be a period piece in which Mia Goth‘s villainous character was hunting for Blade’s daughter to use her blood to create an army of Daywalkers. Goth’s character was also rumored to be sporting the Ebony Blade, seen in the post-credit scene of Eternals to be in the home of Kit Harrington‘s Dane Whitman. While some or all of those things may still be part of the script, rumors of another revision to the project have surfaced as well as some information about when it may finally begin filming.

    According to insider Daniel RPK, Blade will now be set in the MCU’s present day and will still feature Goth’s Lilith as the big bad. With a solid script now in place, production is scheduled to begin in the UK late in 2024.

    Whether set in the past or the present, the film still has the potential to do a lot of heavy lifting for Marvel Studios as they continue to construct a corner of the MCU dedicated to monsters and legitimate horror projects. Werewolf By Night tested the waters in that regard and left fans hoping for more. It sounds as though Blade is not only the next step in that direction but also an important stepping stone itself as Daniel RPK also claims that the film will set up another project: Marvel Studios Midnight Sons. Midnight Sons is a term associated with a group of supernatural superheroes in Marvel Comics. They typically deal with occult threats and darker, supernatural elements within the Marvel Universe. The team has varied in its composition over the years but often includes characters like Ghost Rider, Blade, Doctor Strange, and others with connections to the supernatural or occult.

    They gave me the R, which is so important.We are going to have fun because Mahershala is such a deep actor. I’m excited to show a kind of ruthlessness, a roughness he has, that allows him to walk the earth in a particular way. I love him for that. He’s got a dignity and integrity, but there is a ferocity there that he usually keeps under the surface. I want to unleash that and put it on the screen.

    -Director Yann Demange on Blade’s R-rating

    Though it has been delayed more times than anyone would like to count, it sounds as though Marvel Studios has taken the right approach in taking their time to put together a strong script for the R-rated adventure. With as long as they’ve spent crafting Blade, perhaps they’ve finally found the right mix behind the scenes to make the equal of a Hattori Hanzō.

    Blade is currently slated to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.

  • ‘Spider-Man 4’ Production Update May Confirm Daredevil Appearance, 2025 Release

    ‘Spider-Man 4’ Production Update May Confirm Daredevil Appearance, 2025 Release

    For the second time in just a few weeks, a reliable Marvel Studios’ insider has indicated that production on the studio’s fourth Spider-Man film–which will once again be made in collaboration with Sony– will get underway before the end of 2024. While that’s definitely an encouraging development for fans who have been waiting to find out when Tom Holland‘s Peter Parker will return to the screen, the rumored start date could point to some interesting possibilities for the film.

    Following Jeff “The In” Sneider ‘s report that Spider-Man 4 was targeting a Fall 2024 start of production, insider Daniel RPK has seemingly confirmed that timeline. According to RPK, Sony and Marvel Studios have set a late September date for cameras to roll on the sequel.

    When Will Spidey 4 Swing Into Theaters?

    If production does indeed kick off in late 2024, it provides Sony with an opportunity to release Spider-Man 4 in 2025, something they have been reportedly hoping to achieve. Production on the previous three Spider-Man films have taken 3-4 months to complete; if the same timeline is followed in the fourth installment, principal photography should be complete by the end of January 2025. Could the film then be ready to hit theaters before the end of 2025?

    The short answer is that it absolutely could be. Each of the last three MCU-set Spider-Man films hit theaters roughly eight months after they wrapped principal photography. Most recently, Spider-Man: No Way Home began production in October 2020, took a break for the holidays, resumed in January 2021 and concluded in late-March. No Way Home hit theaters in mid-December 2021.

    Being ready for theaters is one thing; finding a release date in an already jam-packed 2025 is something else entirely. Sony Pictures, not Marvel Studios, sets the dates for the releases of their Spider-Man collaborations. As of now, Sony has an Untitled Marvel Movie set for June 27, 2025. Even by Sony’s sometimes bewildering standards, 3 months in post-production surely can’t be enough. However, just because Sony sets the dates does not mean Marvel Studios, who produces the collaborations, won’t work with their partner in finding a suitable release date. And to that end, an interesting coincidence may point to a target date for Spider-Man 4.

    Only a Fool Would Charge into Battle with a Dull Blade

    Much has been made of the struggles of Marvel Studios’ Blade in getting up and running. There’s no benefit to belaboring the point now, however, the Daywalkers struggles may ultimately benefit the Web-Slinger. Following Marvel Studios’ latest overhaul of its theatrical slate, Blade‘s release date was shuffled to November 7, 2025. With the film set to begin production late in 2024, that release date seems doable. However, during Disney’s recent CinemaCon panel, Marvel Studios One Above All, Kevin Feige, failed to provide an update on Blade despite including 2025 releases Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts and The Fantastic Four in his presentation. Could there be some Marvel/Sony symbiosis involved?

    With Marvel Studios still working on the back end of its Multiverse Saga, including the fifth Avengers film which is currently still slated for a May 1, 2026 release, its easy to imagine Blade being pushed to their open February 13, 2026 date even without Spider-Man 4 being taken into consideration. However, if Sony is keen on getting Holland’s Webhead into theaters in 2025, Disney could work with them on doing so since it benefits their MCU as well. While Sony likely covets a mid-December release for Spidey 4, James Cameron‘s Avatar 3–a sure billion dollar box office take for Disney–is set for December 19, 2025. Cameron recently claimed that Avatar 3 was on track for that date and if that’s true, there’s no way Disney budges from that date. However, they might happily move Blade into 2026 leaving a big opening for Spider-Man 4 to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.

    Marvel Team-Up: The Wallcrawler and The Man Without Fear

    Since Charlie Cox returned to the role of Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way, Home, fans have been looking forward to Daredevil and Spider-Man teaming up as they’ve done so frequently in the pages of Marvel Comics. In late 2023, rumors about the plot of Spider-Man 4 indicated that the film would give fans what they want, pairing the pals up to take on Vincent D’Onofrio‘s Mayor Fisk in a “street-level Civil War.” A recent update on the production status of Daredevil: Born Again may point to that indeed being in the cards.

    After a lengthy delay in the production of Daredevil: Born Again which allowed Marvel Studios to retool the project, principal photography on the first nine episodes wrapped in early April 2024. With those episodes in the can, work on post-production to get the episodes ready for a 2025(?) release will take priority. With that work being done as well as continued work on the scripts for the next nine episodes, it was reported that the cast and crew won’t resume work on Daredevil: Born Again until November 2024. Isn’t that convenient…?

    If  work on Spider-Man 4 begins in September and production on Daredevil: Born Again doesn’t resume until November, there is ample opportunity for Charlie Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio and anyone else from the cast of the streaming series to film scenes for Spidey 4. Like Hannibal Smith, Feige loves it when a plan comes together.

    To be sure, this is a big game of dominos and we’ve not even seen the first one fall just yet; however, should things line up with the schedules of directors (one is not yet in place for Spider-Man 4, though an offer was reportedly extended to someone), actors and studio availability, everyone could come out of a shit storm smelling like roses.