Spider-Man: No Way Home may or may not be Tom Holland’s farewell as everybody’s favorite web-slinger. Yet, this anticipated sequel almost didn’t happen. A dispute between Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures almost cost fans to take sides over where Holland’s loyalty should lie. Years after the infamous disagreement, Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige gave the Spider-Man: No Way Home star some credit for helping more Spider-Man movies getting made.
The aforementioned turmoil led to Spider-Man’s MCU future being questioned at one time. The rights over Spider-Man had long been a source of tension between Disney, Marvel and Sony. This led to some Marvel fans blaming everyone involved, especially Marvel and Sony executives. Things eventually settled down after a few months, but Marvel head honcho Kevin Feige still remembers that tense time. The Marvel CEO said about the publicized rough patch between the two studios that a lot of names were involved in righting the ship. Among those names? Tom Holland.
There was a time when it looked like Marvel Studios would not be involved in Spider-Man movies going forward for Sony. It was only a few months, but it was an emotional few months for all of us on all sides and a very public few months for whatever reason. But yes, I had thought if it were going -- I always want to look on the bright side and the bright side was we got to make two great Spider-Man movies with Amy Pascal and Jon Watts and Tom Rothman and Tom Holland. I was very proud of that and of happy of that, of course, wanted to continue, but I always want to be happy with what we have instead of upset with what we don’t.
After the release of Spider-Man: Far from Home, it was announced Sony and Marvel had dissolved their Spider-Man licensing agreement. During the Marvel-Sony Spider-Man ordeal, some fans had set their sights on Kevin Feige and Sony’s Amy Pascal for allegedly messing up a good thing. Just like the fans, Tom Holland seemed hurt by Spider-Man’s exit from the MCU. Even those associated with Marvel like Joe Russo felt Sony's decision was the wrong move. Even Spider-Man: Far from Home's re-release and home media led fans to paint the House of Mouse and Sony as foes.
What made things worse were fans loving the web-slinger finally being integrated into the MCU. And their love for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker was palpable. But there’s much more to this publicized break-up.
Reports suggested Disney wanted a 50/50 deal with Sony instead of 5 percent of the profits. Sony suggested it had more to do with Kevin Feige’s commitment to other Marvel properties while others claimed it was more about producing credits. However, things were eventually smoothed over thanks to Tom Holland's dedication.
As always, Tom Holland came in to save the day. In his Rotten Tomatoes interview, Kevin Feige finally gave some insight into what made Disney, Marvel and Sony come together. He revealed what made Marvel and Sony put aside their disagreement for the franchise’s future and fanbase.
Luckily, Tom Rothman and Bob Iger and Alan Horn and Alan Bergman and Tom Holland himself all realized, ‘Wouldn’t it be more fun if we just kept doing it? Let’s not let business or politics get in the way.’ Because the deal always started with Amy Pascal and I having nothing to do with numbers or contracts or politics. It had to do with story and a love of Spider-Man, Peter Parker and the Marvel universe. And it thankfully has continued with that.
Thankfully, everyone came together and put their differences aside for the character and the fans. Now, Marvel fans can enjoy more Tom Holland and the crew when Spider-Man: No Way Home arrives on Dec.17. But to catch up before the film drops, check out the first two MCU Spider-Man films on Disney+.
