The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Where Would You Take This Franchise From Here if You Were in Charge of Sony?

[LizardMan07]

After the Rotten Tomatoes score and a yet-to-be-determined-but-most-likely-underwhelming Box Office total, where does this franchise sit now?

Is Spider-Man still the big guy in the playground like years gone by? I'd say probably not! Are people getting bored of the same old stuff? Maybe!

So I suppose the hypothetical quesiton I'm asking you all is that if you were in charge of Sony Pictures, what would your move be like to make this franchise a juggernaut again? I should point out I am in no way implying that the franchise is doomed.

I personally think the only way to win back the audiences sheer love for Spider-Man is something pretty drastic, a film that's not just solid or servicable, but truely brilliant. Something that mixes the perfect spiderman with a good film. The question is, can the people currently employed to make these spider-man movies really pull that off?

If you were in charge of Sony Pictures, what would you do to strengthen the Spider-Man franchise?

 

[Frodo]

Slow down and let the franchise rest. No sinister six and universe building stuff. Give the public a chance to hunger for the character again. Return with a new creative team, a good story, and a drastic change in direction from where Sony wants to go.

 

[Oscorp]

I honestly see no way to fix this series right now. They've introduced the idea of many super villains in Spidey's world now already that it would be weird not to show them in ASM3. At the same time, what the next film really needs is to focus on one, strong villain.

I would make it so that Spider-Man himself is the only source of comedy and that comedic situations come from his interaction with others such as JJJ etc.

That means, no more sillyness like Max Dillon or Kafka.

Primary focus should be to make a really well written villain that you're supposed to take seriously. Not Green Goblin, he's been used now already and will not excite people. Not Doc Ock, because he is considered a great villain from SM2 and people will doubt that Webb can top that. I say, go for Mysterio or Vulture.

Don't ignore Sinister 6, but don't let it steal focus. Let the audience simply know that the group is being formed without showing too much.

I say the story should be about making Peter realise how foolish he has been for being so unappreciative of Uncle Ben and Aunt May in his search for the mystery of his parents (or his dad, rather - he never mentioned his mother once in TASM2). Make him realise that he already had two great parents in Ben and May. Much like the end of SM1. I say, put Aunt May in danger in one way or another (preferrably getting sick of some disease or something). Force him to finally get down to Earth.

When it comes to villains, I'd go for Mysterio, Vulture or Kraven. I say go for Vulture. It's easier to taylor him to whatever story you want to tell. Also, he would be perfect as a darker, more "evil-in-the-bones" villain. Make him a completely selfish, old bastard. Mysterio and Kraven would be awesome, but Mysterio wouldn't offer much in a physical challenge and would work better with some other villain such as Scorpion, and Kraven should be used for a Kraven's Last Hunt kind of story.

So basically this:

1) Peter's life has become darker and should be reflected in the tone of the film. It should be clear that he's quipping as a mental defense to not make him go under completely.

2) He's taking photos for the Daily Bugle because he and Aunt May are struggeling economically. Have one scene with Peter at the Daily Bugle, where it's also clear how much JJJ despises Spider-Man and gives him a bad reputation. Then have another scene where Spider-Man interacts with him.

3) Make Peter feel bad for Aunt May. He's the only one she has. Also, after Gwen's death, she's the only one he has. She's most of the time alone. Make him discover that she's getting sick of some kind of disease or something.

4) Have Vulture show up and terrorize people (for whatever plausible reason). Give him a well thought out plan for something selfish and cruel. What that is, I don't know. Just have it make sense, be exciting and well thought out.

5) Have the story focusing on saving Aunt May or something while at the same time dealing with Vulture.

6) End the film with Peter saving Aunt May, realising how important she is to him and that she and Ben are his true parents. Then the very final scene is Aunt May saying something that Peter shouldn't force himself to be alone all his life because of what happened to Gwen. She wants him to meet a girl she knows through a friend. End it with the introduction of MJ.


Yeah, I'm not a writer. But I'd like the next film to be something like this.

 

[Lord]

SONY, go think on ideas yourselves, not ask it in an internet forum

 

[Oscorp]

SONY, go think on ideas yourselves, not ask it in an internet forum

I guess that was a poke on me. As I said, I'm not a writer or anything like that. I just think that Sony should focus on having a solid villain and fix the issue that Peter is incredibly unappreciate of what he actually has.

 

[Spiderine]

First of all SONY.........u need to nix the whole "universe expansion" idea with spinoff films of supporting characters. The GA don't give a rat's arse about seeing the adventures of Venom and a sinister six group therapy movie on screen. Sorry, but that sucks.

Secondly, dont rehash anything you did before with story lines and villains. Are you gonna really try to sell black suited Spidey again on a teaser poster? You may want to stay away from Goblins for a while. Doc Ock became a classic villain in SM2 portrayed brilliantly by Alford Molina, so its still fresh on the minds of many fans and will only draw comparisons to him.

To be honest, given the crappy cliffhanger ending in ASM2 you really only left yourselves very few options. Sorry but u are ****ed!!!!!

 

[Lord]

I guess that was a poke on me. As I said, I'm not a writer or anything like that. I just think that Sony should focus on having a solid villain and fix the issue that Peter is incredibly unappreciate of what he actually has.

I know i was just kidding There are multiple threads like this for other studios, i myself did one for DC movies once.

 

[Oscorp]

First of all SONY.........u need to nix the whole "universe expansion" idea with spinoff films of supporting characters. The GA don't give a rat's arse about seeing the adventures of Venom and a sinister six group therapy movie on screen. Sorry, but that sucks.

Secondly, dont rehash anything you did before with story lines and villains. Are you gonna really try to sell black suited Spidey again on a teaser poster? You may want to stay away from Goblins for a while. Doc Ock became a classic villain in SM2 portrayed brilliantly by Alford Molina, so its still fresh on the minds of many fans and will only draw comparisons to him.

To be honest, given the crappy cliffhanger ending in ASM2 you really only left yourselves very few options. Sorry but u are ****ed!!!!!

I agree with everything here. Sony truly painted themselves into a corner.

 

[Lord]

SONY shot themselves in the foot with their idea of rebooting such a big franchise that wasn't even a decade old when they announced the idea, then TASM 2 was the final straw. It's going to be tricky to get interest again, you'll need a very good film to make people care.

 

[Oscorp]

I know i was just kidding There are multiple threads like this for other studios, i myself did one for DC movies once.

No worries. I know myself that most of my ideas are pretty bad haha.

Anyway, I agree with you. That's why Sony went with over the top goofyness in this one, because people on the Internet complained about TASM trying to be too dark.

 

[Streetlight]

I'd introduce characters from the Sinister Six and have a few scenes of them setting a plan into action through out the movie.

Introduce one member of the Sinister Six doing something relating to the plan only to have Spider-man stop him. At this point they allocate the job of keeping Spider-man away from their plan, so at this point he would be the main villain whilst the other five take a back seat during the movie.

Introduce MJ but use Gwen flashbacks to show his reluctance and guilt to move forward in it. Somewhere in here I'd like a scene where MJ takes Peter clubbing or something and actually seeing them both have a really good time. Maybe also have Peter become friends with Flash so it's not like he's some loner who's only capable of getting a girlfriend but no actual friends.

Few Bugle scenes, Betty Brant shows interest so his confidence starts to raise. Hopefully it would look like he's gradually recovering from Gwen. But maybe the stray shot of him looking at a picture of her so we know he'll never really be able to get over it.

One final battle, said villain manages to get away while Spider-man presumably stops something bad happening to a large group of civilians, and the movie ends with him finding out the plan, setting up a full SInister Six movie for 4.

I'd leave any Venom out if it personally.

 

[spider-neil]

I honestly see no way to fix this series right now.

Plenty of franchises have come back from worse. Also there needs to be a distinction between a 'good' return and a 'great' return. ASM2 will almost certainly clear 700m, how many movies this year will do those numbers? The same people where saying ASM1 was a flop with 750m return.

Cap2 with critical acclaim and an Avengers boost will at most do 40m more than ASM2 (if that) that is a ASM2 which had a lacklustre reception for the reboot and a critical hammering.

There is life in the franchise but Sony have to tread very carefully. I personally would develop the rest of the Spidey universe and give the GA a breather with regards to Spidey himself.

Also, I love Webb but I would consider getting the best director Sony can lay their hands on. Mendes did wonders for the Bond franchise and it would take that calibre of director to make the GA stip up and take notice.

1. Make a great S6 movie.
Make a movie that pushes the envolope with how the GA percieve supervillians.

2. Make a great Venom movie.
Make it two for two with regards to great movies from the Spidey universe.
This will show the first great movie wasn't a fluke.

3. Hire a director that is a massive coup for the Spidey franchise.
A director that will make the general audience sit up and take notice.
A director like Fincher, some who is a major league get.
Give that director a minimum of three years to completely flesh his ideas and if that Director doesn't want to use the S6 in his movie then don't force it. Forced mandates resulted in SM3.

 

[JKKS085]

Get rid off these series entirely, cast, director, writers, producers, Avi fu**ing Arad, hire David Fincher to direct a low budget Spider-Man Noir film ... release date 2018. Well, in fact this one might be just me geeking out a little too much.

Seriously, delay the next film's release as much as you can. 2017 or 2018 would be great if that's at all possible, that's the main thing. Wether the film is good or bad people need a break with the Spider-Man franchise, 5 years between Spider-Man 3 was too short, 2 years between TASM & TASM2 is the last straw.

Get rid of your plans of vilains spin-offs. Both TASM films' area of expertise is writing characters into corners and what we don't need right now is more vilains turned anti-heroes. Same thing with the Venom nonsense (even though this one can actually work but later on with more solid movies and overall storytelling to build upon). Sony's current plans would be like DC/Warner starting their shared universe with Green Lantern and it doesn't make sense no matter how you put it. If you want to expand your universe the Shattered Dimensions option would be a fresh, much stronger angle.

Scrap the Orci/Kurtzman script even if you think it's the greatest thing since slice bread (if you have something to do with TASM2 then you're probably wrong). Hire someone with a deep understanding of the character able to craft a compelling story with strong vilains (with actual motives, that would be preferable this time) and coherent thematics. Focus on making a timeless, classic film with strong narrative. There's no need to switch tones again, don't go too gritty because that works for WB (to an extent), don't go too cartoony because you think kids will like it. Try to find the right balance between high stakes action, humor, romance and good, compelling character developement.

Get rid of Webb too. I don't think he is the first person to blame here but obviously he wasn't able to keep minimal creative control over the last 2 films. He got his shot at Spider-Man and didn't deliver, time to move on. In the same spirit, don't be afraid to hire a director with an actual personnality and vision. Sometimes it helps to have someone in charge who actually has an idea or two about where things are supposed to go (see the Mendes example).

Keep your production budget under control so a 750M film can actually be profitable. Stop hiring people, paying them and then decide to fire them. Stop shooting expensive, on location sequences that will end up on the cutting room's floor. Take the time you need to develop a proper script before production starts (and one that doesn't require extensive rewrites during shooting and then more expensive reshoots to shoehorn a shared universe storyline). Long story short, plan your movies better because at this point, you are embarrassing yourself.

Don't be afraid to slim down your marketing efforts. I think TASM2 underperforming domestically also has something to do with the overbearing marketing campaign that left little to discover in theaters and a lot of people with the impression that you were shoving Spider-Man down their throats. Trust people's intelligence and make a smarter, more contained and exciting marketing campaign (see what WB did with Godzilla). Also it will help to get your movie to its break even point more easily. And that's just a bonus.

 

[hippie_hunter]

If I were in charge of Sony, I would sell it back to Disney. But that's why I'm not in charge of Sony.

 

[Mr.M]

If I were in charge of Sony, I would sell it back to Disney. But that's why I'm not in charge of Sony.

260 million dollar S6 movie in May 2017 (less competition than 2016), call it a day. If it pulls in a profit, get another movie out in 2019. Sell the rights back in 2020. Milk it and move on.

 

[Frodo]

Get rid off these series entirely, cast, director, writers, producers, Avi fu**ing Arad, hire David Fincher to direct a low budget Spider-Man Noir film ... release date 2018. Well, in fact this one might be just me geeking out a little too much.

Seriously, delay the next film's release as much as you can. 2017 or 2018 would be great if that's at all possible, that's the main thing. Wether the film is good or bad people need a break with the Spider-Man franchise, 5 years between Spider-Man 3 was too short, 2 years between TASM & TASM2 is the last straw.

Get rid off your plans of vilains spin-offs. Both TASM films' area of expertise is writing characters into corners and what we don't need right now is more vilains turned anti-heroes. Same thing with the Venom nonsense (even though this one can actually work but later on with more solid movies and overall storytelling to build upon). Sony's current plans would be like DC/Warner starting their shared universe with Green Lantern and it doesn't make sense no matter how you put it. If you want to expand your universe the Shattered Dimensions option would be a fresh, much stronger angle.

Scrap the Orci/Kurtzman script even if you think it's the greatest thing since slice bread (if you have something to do with TASM2 then you're probably wrong). Hire someone with a deep understanding of the character able to craft a compelling story with strong vilains (with actual motives, that would be preferable this time) and coherent thematics. Focus on making a timeless, classic film with strong narrative. There's no need to switch tones again, don't go too gritty because that works for WB (to an extent), don't go too cartoony because you think kids will like it. Try to find the right balance between high stakes action, humor, romance and good, compelling character developement.

Get rid off Webb too. I don't think he is the first person to blame here but obviously he wasn't able to keep minimal creative control over the last 2 films. He got his shot at Spider-Man and didn't deliver, time to move on. In the same spirit, don't be afraid to hire a director with an actual personnality and vision. Sometimes it helps to have someone in charge who actuals have an idea or two about where things are supposed to go (see the Mendes example).

Keep your production budget under control so a 750M film can actually be profitable. Stop hiring people, paying them and then decide to fire them. Stop shooting expensive, on location sequences that will end up on the cutting room's floor. Take the time you need to develop a proper script before production starts (and one that doesn't require extensive rewrites during shooting and then more expensive reshoots to shoehorn a shared universe storyline). Long story short, plan your movies better because at this point, you are embarrassing yourself.

Don't be afraid to slim down your marketing efforts. I think TASM2 underperforming domestically also has something to do with the overbearing marketing campaign that left little to discover in theaters and a lot of people with the impression that you were shoving Spider-Man down their throats. Trust people's intelligence and make a smarter, more contained and exciting marketing campaign (see what WB did with Godzilla). Also it will help to get your movie to its break even point more easily. And that's just a bonus.

Well said. I actually think Skyfall is a good model for the next Spiderman film. After QOS, they moved away from Casino Royale and the Quantum group in order to tell a story that wasn't dependent on plot threads from the previous two Craig entries.

I'd suggest coming up with a great self contained story which leaves all the bs and baggage from the Webb films at the door. Don't focus on Peters Parents, Oscorp,Sinister Six, world building setting up for sequels etc. Just focus on telling a great Spiderman story that can stand on its own without reference to the previous films save Gwen's death.

 

[GuestStar2004]

Once Sony give spider-man back they will never ever get it back again, once marvel has it they will never give it up again, only way Sony would let it go is if they had no choice but too

What should Sony do? Hire someone to look over this universe they are creating and take their time, not throw in script notes and say add all this stuff and tell a good story, oh and don't include anything to strong for kids, oh and do it like the avengers, now go do it

They need to drop the over confidence also and take their time which is what the MCU did and look how it turned out for them, they can't be a clone of that without rushing it

 

[themaster]

At this point I think I'd just find out all of Sony's plans and then do the exact opposite. They've proven spectacularly that they have no idea what they're doing.

 

[random_havoc]

Find all the creators of the latest Cap movie and pay them a bunch of money to write and make the next Spidey movie. Fire everyone that did anything with ASM2 except for Garfield.

 

[random_havoc]

At this point I think I'd just find out all of Sony's plans and then do the exact opposite. They've proven spectacularly that they have no idea what they're doing.

hear hear!

 

[HanShotFirst]

Damn I never imagined TASM2 could gross less than TASM1... And here I was sure of 850m WW lol.

Alright for TASM3 they need to cut the budget, seriously. Have Kraven as sole villain, reduce the romance scenes, increase the action scenes, have Peter never drop a single tear for once! Also they should take it easy with marketing and not go overboard with trailers/tv spots.
TASM3 will most likely earn less than TASM2 but atleast your budget will be okay. Oh and forget about S6 and Venom movies for now.

I'm mostly sad about Andrew Garfield, he's such a great Pete/Spidey in my opinion and I feel he needs to be in a Spidey movie that is loved by critics and have great word of mouth, even if they have to replace Webb to achieve that.

 

[Lord]

Damn I never imagined TASM2 could gross less than TASM1... And here I was sure of 850m WW lol.

Alright for TASM3 they need to cut the budget, seriously. Have Kraven as sole villain, reduce the romance scenes, increase the action scenes, have Peter never drop a single tear for once! Also they should take it easy with marketing and not go overboard with trailers/tv spots.
TASM3 will most likely earn less than TASM2 but atleast your budget will be okay. Oh and forget about S6 and Venom movies for now.

I'm mostly sad about Andrew Garfield, he's such a great Pete/Spidey in my opinion and I feel he needs to be in a Spidey movie that is loved by critics and have great word of mouth, even if they have to replace Webb to achieve that.

What? You want to drop the romance? What the Director was the most confortable with and the bits that were actually improvements in the reboot? I agree about the rest but what they need is to actually give Webb freedom to do whatever he wants to, instead of forcing him into hyping what the studio wishes to.

Find all the creators of the latest Cap movie and pay them a bunch of money to write and make the next Spidey movie. Fire everyone that did anything with ASM2 except for Garfield.

Cap 2 was great, but what makes you think they would be able to apply the same magic on Spider-Man? They were major fans of Cap and the studio chose them because they like their pitch and ideas.

This reminds me of when fans start suggesting Peter Jackson to direct an Avatar: The Last Airbender trilogy, Christophher Nolan to do Star Wars or Joss Whedon and Nathan Fillion involved in pretty much every geek project.

Well said. I actually think Skyfall is a good model for the next Spiderman film. After QOS, they moved away from Casino Royale and the Quantum group in order to tell a story that wasn't dependent on plot threads from the previous two Craig entries.

I'd suggest coming up with a great self contained story which leaves all the bs and baggage from the Webb films at the door. Don't focus on Peters Parents, Oscorp,Sinister Six, world building setting up for sequels etc. Just focus on telling a great Spiderman story that can stand on its own without reference to the previous films save Gwen's death.

I mostly agree, it's also what Goldfinger did, though From Russia With Love was one of the best Bond films, unlike Quantum of Solace.

But dealing with Gwen's death should be a major theme, while the villain roster remains limited. They should drop the Oscorp plot for now, at most i could see it dealing with Ben's killer, that could actually be a good way to conclude Webb's Trilogy.

 

[spiderman2]

While this is tuff to say what to do. I think it would be a good idea to have the black suit in the asm3 but you know if they do that there will be even more compasions to the rami spider man movies. While if I was in control I think want I would do is delay the movies eatch by a year or so and bring in new righters to re wright the scripted or work on it. I am confused about this whole sinister six venom thing but I think right now we have asm3 in 2016, 2017 sinister six, 2018 asm4 and venom in 2019. So I think want I would do is instead make it like this asm3 2017, sinister six 2019, 2021 asm4 and venom in 2023 and bring in new righters that way the have more time between the movies to not have to rush and maybe bring in a new director. I would try to keep Andrew for has long has I can has I don't see any one else playing spider man has while has him. I would try to make sure when the trailers come out that I don't show to much of the movie like they did with this one and I would spend less on marketing. This movie are going to cost a lot with all the action and CGI but in steady of spending 190 on marketing I would back off some and try to spend like 140 instead.

 

[OriginalMiles]

If I were in charge of Sony.

I would fire Avi.

Hire Edgar Wright to be director.

 

[AF3619]

Find all the creators of the latest Cap movie and pay them a bunch of money to write and make the next Spidey movie. Fire everyone that did anything with ASM2 except for Garfield.

and Emma , well... maybe keep Marc too,i bet he can work a great movie with the right script, see the romantic scenes and the dramatic scenes were well done in my humble opinion.

also fire the producers ALL of them! and find someone who cared about the character and has fresh ideas