Well, this is interesting news! Sony may be experiencing some problems with their Amazing Spider-Man franchise, as seen by the latest delay that pushes The Amazing Spider-Man 3 to 2018, but they’re working hard on establishing the universe around the wall-crawler, beginning with The Sinister Six in 2016. And on top of that, Deadline is now reporting that Sony has greenlit a Spider-Man spinoff featuring a female superhero for 2017.
The studio is remaining mum on the details, so we don’t know if the film will focus on Black Cat (whose alter ego, Felicia Hardy, was played by Felicity Jones in The Amazing Spider-Man 2), or another character like Spider-Woman, Silver Sable, Firestarter, Stunner, or anyone else Sony may have the rights to (honestly, it’s encouraging that they own the rights to more characters than just Black Cat). However, they have brought on Lisa Joy Nolan (Westworld), the wife of Christopher Nolan’s brother Jonah, to pen the script.
There are certainly strong possibilities here for a great film, and the world is dying for a female superhero movie. The only question though is whether or not Sony is the right studio to do it. Marvel recently stated that they’re “too busy” to make a female superhero film right now, while DC will likely give Wonder Woman her own movie after Justice League (which won’t even hit theaters until at least 2017). After Sony botched The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and alienated a good portion of their fanbase, they will really have to prove that they have what it takes to compete in the superhero movie business.
We’ll have more details about this story as it develops. For now, let us know how you feel about the news in the comments below, and throw in your suggestions for who Sony should feature in this new film!
Originally published August 4, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
