Are Sony making Spider-Man a yearly entry?

After an unusual announcement from Sony Pictures this week, it looks as though we could see a new ‘Spider-Man‘ movie every year. But is it all a bit too much?

Fans of Marvel’s resident web slinger will I’m sure be rejoicing as Sony reveals plans to produce a new ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ movie every year. But is this really such a good thing? A surprising new report reveals Sony’s ambitious plan. And while they’re obviously eager to follow the Marvel Cinematic Universe, can it really work in the ‘Spider-Man’ universe?

Latest trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man 2

According to Variety, Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal has revealed their plan to release a movie set in the same universe as ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ every single year. “We are expanding the ‘Spider-Man’ universe into ‘The Sinister Six‘ and ‘Venom‘,” she explained. “So that we have ‘Spider-Man’ movies every year.”

But I can’t be the only one feeling this is a bit too much.

This new approach from Sony sounds startlingly similar to the way Disney are handling the ‘Star Wars’ universe – with a new film every year. But while ‘Star Wars’ will be alternating between ‘saga’ episodes and spin-off movies, will Sony take the same steps? And will it work if they do? The only way I can see it working is if they produce say a Black-Cat film.

Would a Black-Cat film work?

Media Analyst Harold Vogel doesn’t seem to think so. He thinks that Sony’s approach is nothing more than an over-reliance on Peter Parker. “It’s creative entropy,” he said. “And I think there’s been too much of a reliance on ‘Spider-Man. They need some other things to build out.”

And to be honest, he’s right. It is a bit of a shame that Sony do not own another property like say The Punisher or even decide to try make a deal with Disney to bring both Universes together.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is very different compared to its rivals, Marvel Studios. While Marvel concentrates on developing movies based on their own comic books, it certainly seems that Sony is missing out by not realising the potential of its other intellectual properties. A list of Sony’s properties can be seen listed below:

Ghost Rider: Ghost Rider/Johnny Blaze, Blackheart/Legion, Phantom Rider/Carter Slade, Abigor, Gressil, Mephistopheles, Wallow, Barton Blaze, Roxanne Simpson

Spider-Man: Spider-Man/Peter Parker, Doctor Octopus/Otto Octavius, Green Goblin/Norman Osborn, (New) Green Goblin/Harry Osborn, [The Lizard]/Dr. Curt Connors, Sandman/Flint Marko, Venom/Eddie Brock Jr., Betty Brant, Dennis Carradine (Buglar), J. Jonah Jameson, Ben Parker, May Parker, John Jameson, Joseph “Robbie” Robertson, Gwen Stacy, Mendel Stromm, Flash Thompson

Can Venom bring a new angle?

Of course, we’ve all heard about the ‘Sinister Six’ and ‘Venom’ projects and while they certainly bring a new angle to the ‘Spider-Man’ story especially if it is the Venom seen above, can this new approach really work as well as Marvel’s Cinematic Universe?

Frankly, I can’t help thinking it just won’t work. That’s not to say that Sony isn’t making strides with ‘Spider-Man’ since rebooting the franchise in 2012, I for one felt Raimi was damaging the films after his first attempt. But is there really enough variety between the characters to justify spin-off movies? The whole reason Marvel’s strategy works so well is because each movie brings something entirely new to the table. Just look at the massive difference in pace, tone and humour when you compare ‘The Winter Soldier’ to the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. Of course, neither of those films have been released as of yet, but I think you can see what I mean just from the trailers – they each bring something entirely different to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

These guys will be teased in the new film

If you ask me, it looks as though Sony is going to have a hard time competing. Taking ‘Spider-Man’ out of the mix creates a variety of films without the franchise’s main selling point. Just ask yourself right now, do you want to see a ‘Spider-Man’ movie without ‘Spider-Man’? It just doesn’t attract me. Sure, there might be a great opportunity for a ‘Venom’ movie but can ‘The Sinister Six’ really compete? I for one would rather see Spidey sock it to them than spend 2 hours watching them get together and cause carnage for no one to be stopping them.

I can’t help thinking this is a risky move and one that will ultimately fail for Sony. But good luck to them, I do like to be surprised.

What do you think of Sony’s ‘Spider-Man’ plans? Can they really get away with a new ‘Spider-Man’ film every year? Let me know what you think in the comments below…