Sony Announce 'Spider-Man' Spin Offs To Rival 'The Avengers' & 'Superman Vs. Batman'

Sony Pictures announced in Thursday, 12 December that they have big plans for the Amazing Spider-Man series, plans that involve various spin-offs and possibly even an ensemble release or two in the not-so-distant future. The announcement comes as Sony try to keep up with Disney and Warner Brothers, who have already gained a foot-hold in the superhero movie business, with Sony hoping to capitalised on the popularity of Spidey and his many cross-over villains and fellow heroes.

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On Thursday, Sony Pictures announced - via Electro Arrives - that they are working on two villain-centred spin-offs from the Spidey franchise: Venom and The Sinister Six. This will give the film company opportunity to develop two major aspects from the Spider-Man comic books without having to rely on the Amazing Spider-Man films alone. Sony announced that they have appointed a “franchise brain trust" to oversee their expansion of the Spider-Man film franchise, who will ensure the series can survive outside the confines of the Amazing Spider-Man.

Director Marc Webb, who directed the first Amazing Spider-Man and will helm the upcoming second, has been placed in the studio's "brain trust," alongside Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner, Ed Solomon, and Drew Goddard; five writers with experience working on movie franchises. Producers Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach round-up the "brain trust," with the collection aiming to create a continuous tone throughout the franchise as it branches out over the course of the decade.

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone will be back for the second Amazing Spider-Man

Arad and Tolmach produced the first two Amazing Spider-Man films, with Kurtzman, Orci and Pinkner writing the screenplay for the upcoming Spidey, as well as the planned third instalment of the series. Solomon wrote Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Men In Black in the past and will write Venom alongside Orci and Kurtzman, who will direct. Goddard on the other hand will be writing and may also direct The Sinister Six.

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Next page: why the Spidey spin-offs can expect success

“This collaboration was born out of the great experience we and Marc had working with Alex, Bob, and Jeff on ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2,’” Arad and Tolmach said following the announcement. “With more than fifty years’ wealth of stories in the comic books to draw upon for inspiration, the Spider-Man universe is truly boundless; in addition, the Spider-Man comics have the greatest rogues gallery of any series, and to have the chance to explore that on film is truly thrilling.”

Paul Giamatti as Rhino will be one of the villains in the next Spidey

For those unfamiliar with the comics, this is big news because Venom and the Sinister Six are among Spider-Man's most formidable foes and some of Marvel's best known baddies. The Sinister Six comprise of founding member Doctor Octopus, with Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman, and Vulture serving in its original form, however other villains have appeared under the Sinister Six banner, including Gog and the Hobgoblin, so there's no telling who will be part of the film-based Six until further details are announced.Electro will be appearing in the next Amazing Spider-Man, portrayed by Jamie Foxx, so depending on how the next film ends he could very well be among the baddies in the Sinister Six movie.

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Venom was introduced to the Spider-Man movies in Sam Raimi and Tobey Maguire's last outing in Spider-Man 3, when he was portrayed by Topher Grace. A full film dedicated to Venom has long been on the top of fanboy's wish lists and will give the writers a chance to explore the complex backstory of one of Spidey's most enduring villains. The Venom movie may also lead the way for a Carnage movie and further Symbiote-based stories. These storylines are typically more violent than your average comic boook story, which may work to Sony's advantage as they attempt to make a more mature Spider-Man film, similar to Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight franchise.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is slated to open 2 May, 2014, with the next instalments being set to open on 10 June, 2016 and 4 May, 2018 respectively.

Andrew Garfield will be sticking around as Peter Parker/Spider-Man for a while