As Sony prepares to launch its Spider-Man spinoff movie universe with the release of October’s Venom, Variety is reporting that the studio has tapped Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch to oversee what is being referred to as ‘Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters’, or the SUMC.
Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but ‘Spider-Verse’ probably isn’t too appropriate for a universe that doesn’t actually include Spider-Man himself.
According to the site, Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters plans hinge on the success of Venom (which long-lead box office tracking suggests will open well, if not spectacularly), and should the movie prove a hit, we can expect to see the studio ramping up its plans for the shared universe as it pushes ahead with sequels and other solo films.
The article goes on to state that Sony’s Spider-Man licencing deal with Marvel grants the studio the rights to roughly 900 characters, with Sony already working on a number of movies to follow Venom including the Jared Leto-headlined Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, Silk, Nightwatch, solo movies for both Silver Sable and Black Cat, and Jackpot.
SEE ALSO: The symbiote is unleashed in new Venom trailer
Are you excited about Sony’s Universe of Marvel Characters? Does it have enough star power in terms of characters to be successful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…
One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex and badass characters comes to the big screen, starring Academy Award nominated actor Tom Hardy as the lethal protector Venom.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), Venom is set for release on October 5th 2018 and features a cast that includes Tom Hardy, Riz Ahmed, Michelle Williams, Woody Harrelson, Jenny Slate, Reid Scott, Scott Haze and Sope Aluko.
