WE ARE BACK AGAIN! I apologize for the short hiatus (this is the longest break I've had between posts in a while) but there was just a lot of stuff going on in the nerd world and I wasn't exactly sure what to tackle first. Between a Hellboy reboot, Deadpool and Judge Dredd TV shows and watching the second season of The Last Kingdom there has just been so much. However, I finally got something with enough density to break the headway here this past week in some big announcements in regards to the Sony MARVEL films.
Before I get to those announcements though, I feel I should start off by saying that with these reveals have allowed me to gather some insight as to what exactly the Sony strategy for their MARVEL property films was going to be. After the bombing of Sony's The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the question became what their next step was going to be. The lackluster success of The Amazing Spider-Man franchise destroyed the plans to make their future planned films such as a Sinister Six film. However, then Sony made a partner deal with MARVEL to bring Peter Parker into the fold of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Most of us thought it would end here, but evidently Sony had other plans, and from the looks of things that plan was to re-brand the Spider-Man franchise: A villain film verse and a NEW animated Spider-Man feature.
It's Good to Be Bad
With the success of the recently released Deadpool and the financial power house of Suicide Squad, it's honestly no wonder why Sony decided for the former. Getting the perspective from the dark side of the road is clearly an economically sound idea. When it comes down to Spider-Man, he has some of the most iconic Rogue galleries in comics, so making a film focusing on one of them is not a bad plan. If you are going to approach it from this angle though, you need a character that can stand on his own, and you need to go big or go home with it. Sony's answer to this is a Venom film starring Hollywood A-Lister: Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises).
At face value this is an INCREDIBLE decision. I would argue that Venom is easily one of the most influential rogue gallery members in comic books and is easily amidst the top 3 iconic Spider-Man villains. With a track record as an antihero as well, the symbiotic terror has more than enough material and depth to hold his own in a feature adaptation. However, there is something that has me a bit worried, and that is a lack of a certain Wall Crawler who will not be appearing or even be a part of the film nor it's universe.
There is a standalone Venom film that will be awesome out there, no doubt, however, like so many others in the Spider Rogues Gallery, Venom's unique relation with Spider-Man is what has always made him such a compelling and interesting character to begin with, not to mention Parker's previous hosting of the symbiote. Having a Venom film without Spider-Man at least being involved in some way is in many ways like have a ship without a rudder, so to say this is risky is a bit of an understatement. However, this could all be a huge misdirection, after all Peter Parker is NOT the only Spider-Man out there.
Enter Miles Morales
Miles Morales might be one of the most popular new Marvel characters written. Initially introduced as the new Spider-Man of the Ultimate universe. Miles is an OUTSTANDING character whom comic book fans have been chomping at the bit to see come to life in some form of adaptation. Well, it seems those fans finally have that wish (yes I realize Miles appeared in the recently cancelled Ultimate Spider-Man series). Sony has announced and released promo material for a new animated feature focusing on Miles Morales' Spider-Man and boy is it looking good.
First off I feel like there should be a bit of an explanation as to who exactly Miles Morales is. Created by the great Brian Michael Bendis, Miles is a 13 year hold African-Hispanic American who lives in New York. He doesn't come from a particularly wealthy family, but they make do. Miles' uncle, on the other hand, is a world class thief known as the prowler, and during one of his jobs of corporate espionage, he steals one of the radioactive spiders that had once given Peter his abilities. However, the spider escapes in the Uncle's apartment, and during one of his visits to his uncle, the spider bites Miles and he develops the spider abilities (including some new ones like cloaking and venom blasts!). However, this is hardly even the beginning because for Spider-Man to truly be who he is, he must understand:
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility
Peter Parker had taken a sniper bullet to the abdomen in an effort to save Captain America. On his way to the hospital, however, the Sinister Six (led by a rage filled Norman Osborn who ha discovered the identity of his greatest foe) is attacking Peter's home. Miles hears the commotion on the radio and decides that Spider-Man could use a hand. However, when he gets there, the spectacle of Peter Parker fighting his enemies with every bit of strength he could muster paralyzed Miles in shock and awe. So Miles stood, with the rest of the crowd as this kid from Queens put all he had into fighting back his enemies. While Peter did eventually succeed and even seemingly kill Norman Osborne, his own life was forfeited in the process. Miles learned that night what the cost of having the power to help, but doing nothing was. He donned his own costume and took to the streets of New York to continue the work that Peter had started .
That's a brief summary of the origin of the character and he has since garnished even more popularity and was even brought to the main universe of Marvel through the most recent Secret Wars story line. Honestly choosing Miles is a move that I honestly am shocked did not happen sooner, however, I suppose it's never too late. This new Miles Morales: Spider-Man movie is being made at no small expense. Producing it are the creative team behind The Lego Movie: Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The Director of the film are Bob Persichetti (The Little Prince) and Peter Ramsey (The Rise of the Guardians). While not much else is known about the film, we have confirmation that Shamiek Moore (Dope) has been cast as Miles Morales and that Liev Shrebber (Ray Donovan) has been confirmed to voice the primary antagonist of the film.
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| Shamiek Moore (left) to voice Miles Morales: Spider-Man (right) |
Anyhow, things are certainly looking interesting for this Sony Spider Verse. This has been another edition of Comic Relief! we will see you again soon!
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