Tom Rothman confirms 'Spider-Man' universe reboot with star shake-up

Sony Pictures is swinging back into action with plans for a “fresh reboot” of its Spider-Man universe.

 And yes, it could mean brand-new faces taking up the webs.

While the Tom Holland-led Spider-Man films have been box office gold, the wider spin-offs haven’t exactly dazzled. 

Morbius, Kraven the Hunter, and Madame Web, starring Jared Leto, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Dakota Johnson respectively, flopped with critics and audiences alike, leaving fans wondering if the Spider-Verse was spinning to a halt.

Sony chairman and CEO Tom Rothman put those fears to rest in a candid chat on The Town podcast. 

“No,” he told host Matt Belloni when asked if the larger Spider-Verse was dead. 

And when pushed on whether a fresh reboot was on the cards? “Yes, yes,” he confirmed. 

When asked if that would bring in new cast members, Rothman added simply: “Yes, yes.”

But don’t expect a flood of spin-offs any time soon. 

“Scarcity has value … you got to make the audience miss you,” he said, suggesting Sony will take its time rebuilding the universe carefully.

Rothman also revealed a shocker: Spider-Man: No Way Home was banned in China because the climactic scene featured the Statue of Liberty. 

The film went on to make $1.9 billion worldwide and Rothman is convinced it would have topped $2 billion if it had screened in China.

Despite hits like 2018’s Venom, recent spin-offs have stumbled. 

Morbius took $162 million, Madame Web $100 million, and Kraven the Hunter just $60 million against a six-figure budget.

For fans, it’s a tantalising tease: the Spider-Verse isn’t dead, it’s just getting a brand-new web to swing from.

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