While “Spider-Man: No Way Home” was a juggernaut at the international box office, earning a massive $1.89 billion globally, it wasn’t 100% certain that “Spider-Man 4” would be moving forward with returning cast members or director Jon Watts. Without contracts signed or a public announcement from the studio, it’s hard to completely bank on everyone coming back.
Now, Sony Pictures chairman Tom Rothman has told Deadline that while he’s “hopeful” for getting everyone back, including Watts, his tone would suggest nothing is concrete at the moment. Rothman instead attempted to focus on hyping up their wave of “Spider-Man” spinoffs like “Kraven The Hunter” and “Madame Webb.”
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When asked if “Spider-Man 4” could have Watts, Holland, and Zendaya involved, Rothman responded, “That whole group, we hope.”
Of that group, getting Watts back seems the least likely as he recently exited Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” reboot (perhaps an indication he’s done with Marvel Comics adaptations for the time being?) along with focusing on non-Marvel projects like his own “Star Wars” series, a new “Final Destination” installment for HBO Max, and an untitled Hollywood fixer film starring Brad Pitt and Geroge Clooney. The director’s dance card has filled up rather quickly and he might be busy for the next couple of years if his “Star Wars” series becomes as time-consuming as “The Mandalorian” was for Jon Favreau.
There had been indications from reports and even franchise producer Amy Pascal that at the very least the main cast could be returning despite direct quotes from Tom Holland mulling over the idea of handing the reigns to another actor and taking a break from acting.
It’s also worth mentioning the way “No Way Home” ended, Sony/Marvel could easily end Spidey’s MCU connection, but only time will tell if that sticks. We’ll just have to wait and see what ultimately happens with “Spider-Man 4.” Watts’ new action-packed FX series “The Old Man” starring Jeff Bridges debuts on June 16.