“We don’t need it yet,” says longtime producer Avi Arad
The results, for the most part, have yet to start making serious development news, but Hollywood’s new favorite gimmicks are crossovers and shared-universes; thanks to a rush to copy the success of Marvel Studios’ mega-successful Avengers initiative. But don’t expect to see Spider-Man going for any team-up gigs anytime soon – his producer is dead set against it.
“I think it will take a moment in which we’ve run out of ideas,” Arad said in a recent interview with IGN, adding that “Peter Parker is unique; he’s really different. He’s not an Avenger. He’s not an X-Man. He’s unique and we revere that.” Instead, Arad and Sony Pictures are concentrating on creating their own “universe” built exclusively within the Spider-Man mythos; with multiple sequels planned alongside spin-offs about The Sinister Six and Venom, among others.
Arad was part of the new leadership team that pulled Marvel Comics out of bankruptcy in the late-90s, and was at the forefront of creating the Marvel Studios movie brand with hits like X-Men and Sam Raimi’s original Spider-Man. He resigned his positions with Marvel in 2006, shortly after the company struck the ambitious independent-financing deal that would eventually become The Marvel Cinematic Universe (he was still credited on the first Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk,) but remained a producer of the Sony-owned Spider-Man movies. He has been credited as a major force behind series-reshaping moves such as adding Venom to the cast of Spider-Man 3 (reportedly against the wishes of director Raimi) and the controversial 2010 decision to reboot the franchise entirely. In addition to Amazing Spider-Man, Arad’s other post-Marvel projects have included Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and Bratz: The Movie.
Amazing Spider-Man 2 debuts in the U.S. on May 2nd.
Source: IGN
