Marvel Chief Kevin Feige Discusses Spider-Man Joining Studio's Cinematic Universe

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige spoke out again about Spider-Man joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he said the webslinger belonged all along.

“Making that agreement was great, and was really amazing, and on a personal level making these movies, it means a lot because I think we can do great things with Spider-Man,” he said during a Q&A promoting the Blu-ray release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”

“I think Spider-Man can serve great purpose in our universe and that’s where he belongs,” Feige said. That was what unique about him in the comics was not that he was the only superhero in the world; it’s that he was a totally different kind of superhero when compared against all the other ones in the Marvel universe at the time.”

However, superhero fans are worried that “Captain America: Civil War,” in which Spider-Man is set to make a cameo, will be overcrowded with superheroes. The last installment of the “Captain American” triology already includes Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, Iron Man, Hawkeye and Ant-Man.

Also Read: 'Spider-Man' Reboot 'Inspired' By John Hughes Movies, Will Feature New Villains Says Marvel's Kevin Feige

“There were a lot of characters in ‘The Winter Soldier,’ but it felt like a very singular and relatively simple thriller,” Feige said. “‘Civil War’ follows in that same way. I think that’s something [directors] Joe and Anthony Russo pride themselves on, and our screenwriters Chris Markus and Steve McFeely are excellent at giving each character just enough. They’re not full arcs for everybody; it’s just enough that their presence is felt and important, but that the very clear single story that is being told is being served at all times.”

Until now, “Spider-Man” was part of Sony’s self-contained movie universe in which no other characters like Superman or Thor existed. But the deal between Marvel and Sony to produce future “Spider-Man” films as part of the MCU could potentially feature the popular character interacting with other Marvel superheroes in upcoming films.

Also Read: 'Spider-Man' Franchise: Sony Teaming With Marvel on Future Movies

Sony has owned the feature rights to the comic book hero since 1999, when Marvel sold it for $7 million.

Not only does the new pact give Spider-Man a cameo in “Captain America: Civil War,” which will be released May 6, 2016, but Marvel’s Feige will also produce a so far untitled Spider-Man reboot that Sony will continue to distribute, finance, own and have financial control over.

The reboot is currently stated for July 28, 2017, and stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker, replacing Tobey Maguire from the original “Spider-Man” trilogy and Andrew Garfield in the recent “The Amazing Spider-Man” films.

The Evolution of Marvel Movies: From Dolph Lundgren's 'Punisher' to 'Ant-Man' (Photos)

"Howard the Duck" (1986) - In this Marvel-meets-George-Lucas sci-fi comedy, a human-size duck is propelled to Earth from outer space as the result of a scientific mishap. Emphasis was placed on special effects and portraying Howard as a less cynical duck than that in the comic.
Universal Pictures
"The Punisher" (1989) - Dolph Lundgren donned a signature skull shirt for a violent adaptation of the story of vigilante Frank Castle, a.k.a The Punisher
New World Pictures
"Fantastic Four" (1994) - Legend has it that Roger Corman produced this low-budget adaptation so that a producer could retain the film rights to the comic. Though never released theatrically, it is available on YouTube.
New Horizons
"Generation X" (1996) - Hoping to capitalize on the popular “X-Men” animated series of the '90s, “Generation X” was a TV movie that aired on Fox about a school for the gifted run by Emma Frost and Banshee.
Fox Network
"Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D." (1998) - David Hasselhoff donned Nick Fury’s eye-patch long before Sam Jackson in this made-for-TV-movie that premiered on Fox.
Fury Productions/Fox Network
"Blade" (1998) - Wesley Snipes headlined as a half-man, half-vampire fighting against an evil bloodsucker intent on taking over the world
Marvel/New Line Cinema
"X-Men" (2000) - Hugh Jackman achieved international fame as Wolverine in the story of the famed Marvel superhero team
Marvel/Twentieth Century Fox
"Hulk" (2003) - Ang Lee's much maligned story of Bruce Banner (Eric Bana) as he struggles to control the raging monster within himself
Marvel/Universal Pictures
"Daredevil" (2003) - Ben Affleck earned plenty of scorn for his portrayal of the blind defender of Hell's Kitchen. Nevertheless, the film earned almost $180 million globally
Marvel/New Regency
"The Punisher" (2004) - Thomas Jane took over as Frank Castle in this ultra-violent vigilante tale that also starred John Travolta
Marvel/Lionsgate
"Elektra" (2005) - Jennifer Garner reprises her role as Elektra Natchios, an international assassin, in the spin-off from the more successful 2003 film, Daredevil.
Twentieth Century Fox
"Man-Thing" (2005) - Marvel tried its hand at horror with the “Man-Thing,” loosely based on Stan Lee's swamp monster comic from '71. It features a swamp-monster whose touch burns people who feel fear.
Lions Gate/Artisan Entertainment
"Ghost Rider" (2007) - Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes starred in the story of a motorcycle daredevil (Cage) who sold his soul to the devil.
Marvel/Columbia Pictures
"Iron Man" (2008) - The movie that launched the MCU into the stratosphere starred Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark, a weapons manufacturerer who decides to defend the innocent who are caught in the path of the very weapons he once designed
Marvel/Paramount
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) - Edward Norton took over the role of Dr. Bruce Banner in the setup to the eventual "Avengers" crossover
Marvel/Universal
"Captain America" (2011) - Chris Evans took up the red, white, and blue shield of the First Avenger as he fought against Hydra head Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
Marvel/Paramount
"Thor" (2011) - Chris Hemsworth played the hammer-wielding god of thunder as he battles his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for control of the mythical realm of Asgard
Marvel/Paramount
"The Avengers" (2012) - The superhero team assembled for this blockbuster as they fought to prevent an alien invasion of Earth. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of Bruce Banner from Edward Norton
Marvel/Paramount
"Guardians of the Galaxy" (2014) - Chris Pratt proved himself to be an action superstar as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill in this intergalactic sensation that grossed almost $775 million
Marvel Studios
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" (2015) - The Avengers assemble once again as they try to stop Ultron, an A.I. built by Tony Stark that wants to destroy humanity
Marvel Studios
"Ant-Man" (2015) Paul Rudd plays a thief just out of prison who stumbles on a suit that shrinks him to microscopic size -- all the better to prevent Corey Stoll's evil executive from using the same technology for warfare.
Marvel Studios