Sony CEO hopes Tom Holland and Zendaya return for more Spider-Man films

The polarizing CEO of Sony Pictures is hopeful of Tom Holland and his return to the Spider-Man franchise within the MCU.

As this article is being published, a fourth installment of the Homecoming saga of Spider-Man films is in active development, which is being overseen by Marvel CCO Kevin Feige and former Sony executive and producer, Amy Pascal.

While it is not confirmed that the lead, Tom Holland is rumored to have renewed his contract with Sony and Disney. The chairman and CEO of Sony’s Motion Picture Group, according to a piece from Deadline hopeful that both Holland and Zendaya will return.

Is Jon Watts likely to return to direct the next Spider-Man trilogy?

Right now, while Rothman is hopeful that director Jon Watts will return to helm the next trilogy of Spider-Man films after No Way Home, the reality is that the Cop Car director has just stepped down from an MCU property, which is the Fantastic Four. Watts understandably got burnt out from the superhero genre and is currently working on an untitled film project that he is writing and directing which Apple Studios acquired distribution rights. It will star George Clooney and Brad Pitt.

Depending on when Spider-Man 4 is green-lit, I believe it is safe to say Watts is currently busy doing other things ala the Russo Bros. Post-Endgame. Despite this, Watts is still in the Disney business as he is developing and executive producing a Star Wars original series set after the events of Return of the Jedi with Amblin Entertainment for Disney Plus called Skeleton Crew.

What can we take from what the CEO of Sony’s Motion Picture Group stated?

One thing that can be said that I believe most can agree on is Sony had a better year in 2021 going into the second fiscal quarter of this year 2022 with the likes of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Spider-Man: No Way Home and Uncharted performing as part of their film slate very well at the box office. After discussing Sony Corp’s success and their strategy in coordinating franchises he was asked about Holland, Zendaya, and Watts’ return. Rothman then responded: “That whole group, we hope.”

This was before he went into the adjunct shared-universe such as Kraven and Madame Web which is expected to start filming in next spring. What I am getting from this statement is his confidence in the franchise they have managed to curate such as Jumanji, Bad Boys and Ghostbusters are something that is in their best interest to maintain.

In terms of if three of which have been mentioned will return, Zendaya has the Dune franchise and Euphoria to look forward to while Holland is set to star in the Apple TV+ anthology series, The Crowded Room. Not to say Spider-Man is no longer in their crosshairs, but with enough incentive, they will return but for Watts it is uncertain.

What do you think of Tom Rothman’s statement about Sony’s future with Spider-Man? Do you think Jon Watts should return to direct Spider-Man 4? Are you happy for Tom Holland and Zendaya to return as Peter Parker and MJ respectively? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!