According to the Wall Street Journal, Spider-Man will officially make his inaugural MCU appearance in Captain America: Civil War, set to be released on May 6, 2016, before starring in his own standalone films. Furthermore, the deal between The Walt Disney Company and Sony Pictures has allowed the two studios to revive the Sinister Six film, which had been put on hold following the reception of The Amazing Spider-Man 2. By having Spider-Man make his debut in Captain America: Civil War, the studios will most likely bypass the Spider-Man origin story, which has already been told two times, and start off in the middle of Spider-Man’s vigilantism. Andrew Garfield will not reprise his role as Peter Parker.
In the 2006-2007 Civil War storyline, Iron Man and Captain America fight against ea
ch other regarding the Superhero Registration Act, which would force all superheroes to register their identities with the government, and wipe out any form of independent vigilantism. Though Spider-Man initially sides with Iron Man and the pro-registration heroes, revealing himself to be Peter Parker to the entire world, he eventually joins Captain America ‘s underground movement. The crossover storyline was met with polarizing responses, and the uproar towards Peter Parker’s unmasking was so loud that Marvel writers eventually had Peter make a deal with the devil to retcon the incident, as well as his marriage to Mary Jane Watson.
Because of Sony’s commitment to focusing on Peter Parker’s juggling of dual identities, the smart money is that Civil War will not include the Registration Act plotline and Spider-Man’s unmasking.
Following Captain America: Civil War, a standalone Spider-Man film will be released on July 28, 2017, pushing Thor: Ragnarok to Nov. 3, 2017, Black Panther to July 6, 2018, Captain Marvel to Nov. 2nd, 2018, and Inhumans to July 12, 2019. Part 1 and 2 of Avengers: Infinity War remain scheduled for May 4, 2018 and May 3, 2019.
Who will be the new Peter Parker? How closely will Civil War follow its comic source? How will the inclusion of Spider-Man affect the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know what you think!
