Sony Disney Divorce Over Spider-Man

Disney Studios and Marvel made a deal with Sony Pictures regarding the profits from the Marvel Sony Spider-man films in 2015, the initial deal saw Sony allowing Marvel to integrate Spider-man into the Marvel cinematic universe and Disney would pay 100% of the production costs and then Disney would receive 5% of the ticket sales on the first day of the film's release and retain the merchandising rights for the character. Sony would reap the box-office profits and the marketing of related products..

But when Sony pulled in over a billion dollars in film profits on the release of Spider-man Far From Home Disney's Mouse Ears turned towards the negotiations table once again. Disney Studios demanded a 50 / 50 production cost deal where Disney would and Sony would split the cost of making the films and each company take 50% of the movie profits, Sony Pictures turned it down. Disney withdrew from the table and announced that Kevin Feige the head of Disney's Marvel Studios would not direct the next live action Spider-man film for Sony.

"Much of today's news about Spiderman have mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige's involvement in the franchise. We are disappointed but respect Disney's decision not to have him continue as lead producer of our next live action Spiderman film. We hope this might change in the future but understand that the many new responsibilities Disney have given him including all their newly added marvel properties do not allow time for him to work on IP Disney does not own. Kevin is terrific and we are grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has put us on which we will continue."

“When my father died, no one from Marvel or Disney reached out to me,” Lee said. “From day one, they have commoditized my father’s work and never shown him or his legacy any respect or decency. In the end, no one could have treated my father worse than Marvel and Disney’s executives.”

It seems that at least for now the Marvel / Sony Spider-man is on hold. The franchise 's continuation will be tried in the court of public opinion and to cries of "Sony give me back my Spider-man!" from the Marvel film fans. Disney may have been out of line to ask for such a large portion of the film profits and production costs. After all Sony and Disney's Marvel Studios had already agreed upon the terms and conditions of the film profits. What did Disney think when they called Sony back to the table? Sony stood up to the Mouse emboldened by their new success and Disney crawled away angry with threats to take away their producer. Boo hoo Disney!

After what Disney did with Captain Marvel and Brie Larson making the film into a film about female empowerment by emasculating and villainizing males in the film as male pilots attack and verbally abuse the main character while she is in the air force. I feel as though Disney is missing the beat on this one and losing its core audience. But I will say as a father of 2 girls ages 9 and 11 I am pleased that Disney is pushing sexual equality and female empowerment but they shouldn't do it by shaming men. They should show men treating women with respect and as equals and guide the audience to want to follow suit. I am amazed the Disney Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't tanking as bad as the Disney Lucas Film Star Wars Franchise.

Eventually the two companies will return to the negotiation table and Spider-man will rejoin the Marvel Cinematic Universe along with the X-Men and perhaps even someday Dead Pool. One can dream... But until then we will have to wait to see another Marvel Studios Spider-man film.