Sony dates two Marvel films in 2020 after ‘Venom’ box-office success

“Venom” (2018)
Sony

• Sony announced two new release dates for Marvel films in
  2020, one that is likely a “Venom” sequel.
• “Venom” exceeded expectations and has made nearly $780
  million worldwide.
• Other Spider-Man projects Sony has in development include
  “Morbius,” “Black Cat,” and “Kraven the Hunter.”

Sony isn’t wasting any time capitalizing on the success of
“Venom.”

The studio announced two release dates for yet-to-be-titled
Marvel films on Wednesday: July 10, 2020 and October 2, 2020.
The latter is described as an “untitled Sony/Marvel sequel.” All
signs point to that being a second “Venom” installment, as the
movie broke the October box-office record for an opening weekend
with $80 million. It’s now grossed nearly $780 million worldwide.

Another possibility would be a sequel to the upcoming animated
movie, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” It’s gotten positive
buzz, including from Business Insider’s Jason Guerrasio, who
called it the “best animated movie of the year” in his
holiday movie preview. But
even if Sony is confident in the movie, it has yet to be
released.

Meanwhile, “Venom” has already shattered expectations at
the box office and set the foundation for a sequel in its
after-credits scene. It seems
inevitable. 

READ MORE: ‘Venom’ gives Sony an edge over
Disney in its fight to keep Spider-Man, according to industry
experts

Sony’s unique deal with Marvel Studios that it struck in
2015 allows the latter to use Spider-Man in its Marvel Cinematic
Universe while Sony retains distribution rights and creative
control. Sony owns the film rights to hundreds of Spider-Man
characters, and can continue making its own films using those
characters (and Spider-Man) under the deal. 

“Venom” was Sony’s first Spider-Man spin-off since the
commercial and critical failure of 2014’s “Amazing Spider-Man 2.”
While reviews tore apart “Venom” (it has a 29% Rotten Tomatoes
critic score), its success with audiences revitalized Sony’s Spider-Man
universe, according to box-office experts.

“If they consistently make films audiences want to see,
Disney will have to buy Sony to get ‘Spider-Man’ back,” Exhibitor
Relations senior box-office analyst Jeff Bock told Business
Insider earlier this month.

That’s good news for Sony because it already had several other Spider-Man spin-off
films in development before “Venom” was a hit. The July 10,
2020 release date is likely “Morbius,” starring Jared Leto as the
vampire Spider-Man villain.

Other possibilities include “Black Cat,” based on a
frequent Spider-Man love interest, or “Kraven the Hunter,” based
on another longtime foe of the wall-crawling superhero. But since
“Morbius” has already cast its lead actor, that’s probably the
best bet.