Spider-Man’s life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hangs in the balance (again), following the release of the newest Marvel movie “Spiderman: Far From Home.” 

Sony and Disney recently began deliberating over the property rights to the character of Spider-Man. While Disney owns Marvel, the company that created Spider-Man, Sony technically still owns the intellectual rights to this single character. 

The two corporations struck a deal in 2016 to officially bring Spider-Man into the MCU.

But over the summer, the deal began to fall apart after Disney asking for a 50/50 split over their current deal, as well as other concessions such as merchandising revenue. Fans are nervous, and they’re choosing sides. 

 Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra  said there is no ill will between the two companies, though “for the moment, the door is closed.” 

Sony has disclosed plans to launch their own extended universe based on the various Spider-Man characters they own. Following the success of “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse,” Sony plans a movie based on the character Morbius for release in 2020, a sequel to 2018’s “Venom,” as well as several TV shows that will focus on various characters.

At the end of September, Disney and Sony reached an agreement that officially keeps Spider-Man in the MCU, with a third movie officially planned. Sony and Disney reached a deal in the final week of September, when executives from both companies got together to bring Spider-Man back for one more movie in the MCU.

Disney settled on 25% of the profits and will retain merchandising rights. After it seemed like there was no new deal to be made between the companies, they decided that Spider-Man could once again appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Bill Iger, CEO of Disney, told talk show host Jimmy Fallon that Tom Holland, who has played Spider-Man, personally called him, asking to fix the Spider-Man situation. Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios president, spoke to Variety about the importance of keeping Spider-Man around: “Spider-Man is a powerful icon and hero whose story crosses all ages and audiences around the globe,” Feige was quoted as saying. “He also happens to be the only hero with the superpower to cross cinematic universes, so as Sony continues to develop their own Spidey-verse, you never know what surprises the future might hold.”