With a title like Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans aren't sure where the upcoming threequel will leave Spidey by the time the credits roll. Interestingly enough, leading up to the film, the same could be said for Tom Holland and his future as the web-slinger under Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios.
Due to the studios' short-lived Spider-Man split which Holland reportedly helped remedy, the Spider-Man actor has been vague about his character's future while promoting No Way Home.
That questionable future began to look a little more certain after the threequel's ticket sales crashed theater sites, followed by Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal talking about a Spider-Man 4 and potentially a new Spider-Man trilogy.
Now, just ahead of the anticipated film's release, fans are getting a clearer picture of Sony and Marvel's Spidey deal and where they will see Tom Holland's Spider-Man next.
Sony Confirms Spider-Man's MCU Return
During the Spider-Man: No Way Home Los Angeles premiere, Sony Pictures chair Tom Rothman explained to ComicBook.com that Spidey is set to return to the MCU, saying "it's reciprocal... That's how Benedict [Cumberbatch} is in this movie. So we have one more 'lend back' that's committed":
"It's reciprocal. So we lend one, and they lend one, and that's how Benedict [Cumberbatch] is in this movie. So we have one more 'lend back' that's committed."
Rothman's statement about a "lend back" confirms what fans already expected, which was one more appearance from Spider-Man in the MCU after No Way Home. The question, of course, is just when and where.
Fortunately, that's not all. For those hoping for more Holland in the future, Rothman sounded optimistic in referring to Sony and Marvel's "terrific working relationship" with a "mutual hope that would continue:"
"But the thing that I can say, and this actually the accurate scoop on this, which is that the two companies have a terrific working relationship. I think it's a mutual hope that that would continue. But there really isn't anything definitive at this moment, because the truth of the matter is, we gotta ride [Spider-Man: No Way Home] and see what happens."
Even though Amy Pascal seemingly confirmed more Holland-led Spider-Man films, it's clear that Marvel and Sony have yet to set that in stone and are likely waiting to see how No Way Home performs with critics, fans, and the box office.
Will Spider-Man Follow Strange Into the Multiverse of Madness?
While that potential new trilogy seemingly hinges on No Way Home and the hopeful continuation of Sony and Marvel's "terrific working relationship," things are looking up in terms of more Holland in the MCU.
In the meantime, the question of the hour is which project Holland will be "lent back" for now that Cumberbatch's Strange appeared in Sony's threequel. When asked about appearing in his No Way Home director's next film, which is Marvel's Fantastic Four, Holland was against it, explaining it wouldn't serve the character's journey.
The film that could potentially serve the character - as well as fit the respective studios' timetable and storylines - would be Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which is set to release in 2022.
After No Way Home and its post-credits scenes, fans are sure to have a better idea of where the web-slinger will appear next, and thankfully they don't have much longer to wait.
Spider-Man: No Way Home swings into theaters on December 17, 2021.
