It’s hard not to see Spider-Man: No Way Home as one of the biggest flexes in the history of the movie business. Think about what happened here. A major studio, Sony Pictures, had so badly managed its most valuable piece of I.P. that in 2015, chairman Tom Rothman agreed to do the unthinkable: Share the character, let another studio produce its Spider-Man movies, and allow Spidey to appear in that studio’s own movies for free. And not just any studio, it was Disney’s Marvel unit, which had embarrassed Sony and the rest of Hollywood with an unprecedented run of hyper-profitable and flywheel-friendly blockbusters based on “lesser” comic book characters like Thor and Ant-Man. The indignity.
Try Puck for free
Sign up today to join the inside conversation at the nexus of Wall Street, Washington, A.I., Hollywood, and more.
Already a member? Log In
- Daily articles and breaking news
- Personal emails directly from our authors
- Gift subscriber-only stories to friends & family
- Unlimited access to archives
- Exclusive bonus days of select newsletters
- Exclusive access to Puck merch
- Early bird access to new editorial and product features
- Invitations to private conference calls with Puck authors
Exclusive to Inner Circle only
Latest Articles from Hollywood
At What Point Will Ellison Intervene at CBS News?
Ellison’s Legal Gladiator Is Ready for War
Letters from the HollyTube Revolution
The Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Suit Could Be Headed for a Do-Over
Disney Is Ready to Clobber Brendan Carr
The 27-Year-Old Assistant Who Found ‘Backrooms’
The Hollywood A.I. Appeasement Vibe Shift
Get access to this story
Enter your email for a free preview of Puck’s full offering, including exclusive articles, private emails from authors, and more.
Latest Articles from Hollywood
Hollywood’s Saudi Tax Rebate Problem
The Ellison Trust-Busting Is Getting Political
Hollywood’s Gen Z Gap Is Real… and It’s Growing
What I’ve Heard: Five Years of Hollywood Disruption
Summer Box Office Blackjack: What the Biggest Movies Need to Beat the House
SAG-AFTRA’s Surprise A.I. Détente
Streaming TV’s Romantasy Problem
You have 1 free article Left
To read this full story and more, start your 14 day free trial today →
Already a member? Log In
Get access to this story
Enter your email to get access to one article and free previews of our private emails from Puck authors and editors.
Already a Member? Sign in
Latest Articles from Hollywood
The Hollywood C.E.O. Gluttony Index
Netflix Goes to the Movies & Baldoni’s Second-Act Chances
Yes, the Blake-Baldoni Case Does Have a Winner
Disney’s Josh D’Amaro Manifesto Translator
Trump Defamation Theories & Newsom’s Weak Case
Why Netflix Caved for Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’