Spider-Man Movie Release Date: New Film Sees Spider-Man Joining Avengers

LOS ANGELES -- Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announced late Monday that they will partner on the next installment of the $4 billion Spider-Man franchise, uniting the web-slinging superhero with Marvel's Cinematic Universe. Before the next official Spider-Man film in 2017, he will appear in a Marvel picture, though he may not be Andrew Garfield, as in the previous films.

Kevin Feige, president of Walt Disney Co's Marvel Studios, will co-produce the next official film set for July 2017 release with Sony's Amy Pascal, according to a statement from the firms.

"Amy (Pascal) has been deeply involved in the realization on film of one of the world's most beloved characters. Marvel's involvement will hopefully deliver the creative continuity and authenticity that fans demand from the MCU," he stated.

According to the agreement, the Spider-Man will also appear in an upcoming Marvel film and Marvel characters, which include Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, could appear in later Spider-Man films, the statement said.

However, Sony Pictures Entertainment, a division of Sony Corp, will continue to own the cinematic rights to Spider-Man, a Marvel superhero, the statement said. They will retain creative control of the character in his appearances as well.

"This is the right decision for the franchise, for our business, for Marvel, and for the fans," Sony Chairman Michael Lynton said in statement.

"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," Walt Disney Studios Chairman and CEO Bob Iger said.

Many fans have speculated that Spider-Man's next appearance could be in "Captain America: Civil War," which is coming May 6, 2016. If producers adhere to the comic book storyline, the Superhero Registration Act will come into play, forcing the Avengers and others with super-powers to give their real names and other information to the U.S. government for safety purposes.

Captain America, who fought in WWII, is against the new legislation, while Iron Man, who is already known to the public as billionaire playboy Tony Stark, is for it. Spider-Man, who has always masked his identity as the nerdy Peter Parker, is caught in the middle.