The Spider-Verse has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide, but it looks like fans will have to wait a bit longer for the next chapter. While “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” was a massive hit in 2023, garnering both critical acclaim and a box office haul of over $689 million, its sequel, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, has hit an unexpected roadblock. Originally slated for a March 2024 release, Sony recently scrapped most of the film's production due to “creative reasons,” pushing its release date to no earlier than 2027.
So what's going on behind the scenes? According to industry insider Jeff Sneider, this delay might have something to do with internal disagreements between Sony and the film's creative duo, Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The two have long been credited with revitalizing the Spider-Man franchise, following Sony's lackluster results with movies like Morbius and Madame Web. However, the tension has grown, with Lord and Miller clashing with Sony over key creative decisions, including a proposed Spider-Noir spinoff.
One benefit of this delay is that the animation team reportedly feels “relieved.” Known for the high-detail, groundbreaking visuals seen in the Spider-Verse films, the team now has more time to hone their craft. The intricate animation process, which blends multiple styles and techniques, requires more time than the studio initially allotted.
The partnership between Lord and Miller and Sony, which began with a five-year, nine-figure deal in 2019, ended after Sony opted not to renew their contract. While some behind-the-scenes reports have criticized the duo's demanding managerial style, there's no doubt that their creative vision is largely responsible for Across the Spider-Verse's success. With Lord and Miller's directorial focus shifting to Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling, Sony's Beyond the Spider-Verse now stands at a creative crossroads.
Will the extra time lead to a cinematic triumph or another misstep in Sony's Spidey-verse? Only time will tell. Fans, however, are hopeful that the delay will allow for another game-changing Spider-Man adventure.
