Though Sony has been ambitious with its plans for the expansion of the Spider-Man universe through the current Amazing Spider-Man franchise, the second film in the series wasn’t quite the massive smash the studio might have been hoping for. And admit recent changes to behind-the-scenes teams on the other movies comes word that the third film to focus on the webslinger, originally scheduled for 2016, has been pushed back to 2018.
But if you’re wondering what might fill the Spidey void, the villains have your back. The Sinister Six, which Cabin In The Woods’ Drew Goddard is writing and directing, will step in, taking aim with all its dastardly weapons at November 11, 2016. The film will feature the likes of the Rhino (Paul Giamatti) and Dane DeHaan’s Green Goblin, alongside a variety of others plucked from Peter Parker’s rogues’ gallery.
As for the third Spidey film, Marc Webb has said he’ll return to close out an initial trilogy before getting back to non web-slinging projects and the new release date gives him the time to focus on the film, which Sony will no doubt hope bests the first film’s box office takings, an achievement the sequel failed to manage. Expect Andrew Garfield’s Peter to be dealing with the fallout from the tragic events of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and presumably finding new love with Mary Jane Watson, whether or not she ends up being played by Shailene Woodley, who shot scenes but was cut from this year’s film.