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Disney Avengers Marvel

Sony Pictures pens Disney agreement to bring Spider-Man into Avengers franchise

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

February 10, 2015 | 2 min read

Disney has entered a partnership with Sony Pictures to bring the $4bn Spider-Man franchise into the Marvel cinematic universe.

Spider-Man, who is a member of super-hero team the Avengers in the Marvel comics, was illegible to appear in Disney’s movie due to Sony's possension of the character rights, however the partnership will now bring Spider-Man into Marvel’s movie canon.

Both parties are likely to benefit from the deal as the 2012 Avengers movie grossed over $1.5bn internationally at box office, however, Sony Pictures will retain the rights to finance, distribute and own the Spider-Man films.

Michael Lynton, chairman and chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment, said: “We always want to collaborate with the best and most successful filmmakers to grow our franchises and develop our characters. This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans."

Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, added: “Spider-Man is one of Marvel's great characters, beloved around the world. We're thrilled to work with Sony Pictures to bring the iconic web-slinger into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which opens up fantastic new opportunities for storytelling and franchise building.”

Avengers sequel ‘Age of Ultron’ will launch 1 May, however last November Marvel issued Google with a subpoena to track down an individual who leaked the trailer of the movie online.

Disney Avengers Marvel

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