Not only is Spider-Noir just around the corner, but Sony’s Spider-Man Universe is expanding with Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk spinoffs. The news has sparked plenty of excitement, as well as one major question.
Look, other than the Spider-Verse movies, the SSU has struggled to find its footing. The Venom trilogy proved commercially successful but divisive, while Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter were widely panned by critics (although they produced some excellent memes).
It’s understandable: trying to build a Spider-Man franchise without the main web-crawler was always going to be a challenge. However, it appears Sony is realizing what works by focusing on its roster of Spider-People.
The Hollywood Reporter asked Sony Pictures Animation co-president Kristine Belson if there are writers on Spider-Punk or Spider-Gwen spinoffs, to which she replied, “I’m not allowed to say. But we are active on both.”
Spider-Gwen & Spider-Punk spinoffs spark one Spider-Verse question
Given Spider-Noir – played by Nicolas Cage – is also a character introduced in the Spider-Verse movies, fans have one question: what will happen to Miles Morales?
In the comics, Miles is a modern reimagining of Spider-Man, and he’s also the central character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse, and the upcoming Beyond the Spider-Verse.
The latter animated film is set to round off the Spider-Verse trilogy, sparking confusion about Sony’s plans for Miles next. Taking to Reddit, one wrote, “Now that the Ghost-Spider and Spider-Punk spin-offs have been confirmed… what will happen to Miles?
“This is a question that’s been on my mind since these two spin-offs were formally announced today. It seems Sony’s new strategy is to create spin-offs of the Spider-Verse animated franchise.
“Which doesn’t seem like a bad idea to me, but it does bother me a bit knowing that, as far as we know, Miles’ story ends in Beyond.”
The Redditor went on to highlight a common theory: Beyond the Spider-Verse – set to drop in 2027 – will be the end of this iteration of Miles, with a new, younger Miles being introduced in the MCU.
The theory resurfaced last year when Marvel boss Kevin Feige was asked by The Hollywood Reporter where the studio was in the development of a live-action version of the character.
Although he said it’s “nowhere,” Feige added, “Sony has their brilliant, genius, incredible Spider-Verse animated franchise going and until that finishes, we’ve been told to stay away.”
That means the MCU could technically introduce a live-action Miles from 2027. But, as the Redditor suggested, “It would be very strange to reboot Miles while simultaneously continuing the stories of the animated Miles’ supporting characters.
“If we do the math, by the time those movies are released, we’ll already be on the second or third film of Holland’s second trilogy. It would feel like they’re not letting go of that franchise even though they’re already rebooting it.
“With Hobbie, it’s understandable; he barely knows Miles in Across and they aren’t that close. But it would be very strange if the Gwen spin-off didn’t mention Miles at all or even show him a picture, and if the same thing happened as with Peter in Madame Web, where his name was taboo.”
How Miles Morales could fit into Sony and Marvel plans
However, Marvel fans have some ideas as to how these two universes could co-exist while still introducing Miles Morales to the MCU.
“For one, she’s called Spider-Woman in the films, and will remain Spider-Woman in the planned spin-off,” wrote one.
“I could see a The Amber Spyglass-style ending for Miles working, dimensional travel to his dimension being shut down for a while, complete with a Night in the Museum 2 / 11.22.63-style bittersweet meeting between him and his world’s Gwen Stacy.
“(The reason Gwen felt the need to use an alias at all in the first film: she looked herself up) though I do think some around here would be unhappy about it.”
Another commented, “This will allow Miles Morales to be introduced into the MCU, however, if Sony Animation are planning to hold onto Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman (Ghost-Spider) it would suggest that there would be no ‘MCU Gwen Stacy’ adaptation for the foreseeable future.
“Although ‘civilian’ Gwen Stacy and Spider-Gwen Stacy are technically two different characters, they would likely be considered ‘one character’ internally by the studios.”
For now, we’ll have to wait and see how Miles’ on-screen future plays out. Until then, fans are just excited about the potential Spider-Gwen and Spider-Punk spinoffs.
“Sony has finally taken a hint. Heroes, not villains,” wrote one, while another said, “Can’t wait to see how they handle Spider-Punk.”
“I want the Spider-Gwen movie to be made soon,” added a third, and a fourth chimed in, “To expand the Spider-Verse is a much better idea than Sony’s weird Spidey villain live-action movies.”
Fortnite director responds after Madison Beer asks for her own skin