While Spider-Man 4 remains very mysterious, it could be that Destin Daniel Cretton's future film is based on one of the cult Spider-Man comics. And maybe that's exactly what the saga needs.
It floats and does not sinkthe Marvel Cinematic Universe floats but does not sink. For the moment anyway. But it's hard not to feel like the post-MCUAvengers Endgame has lost his compass, and he wanders in the twists and turns of the chaotic multiverse that he himself created.
But Kevin Feige's teams are not giving up, and seem to have found the magic formula to revive faith in the sacrosanct MCU: nostalgia. Thus, Marvel called to the rescue Robert Downey Jr., who will now be the villain Dr. Doom, and Chris Evans, who could be a completely different Captain America. Even the Russo brothers will be back to direct Avengers 5 and 6.
Scheduled to release between these two films Avengers, Spider-Man 4 will have the very heavy task of filling the gap between these two titans, but also of offering Peter Parker new strong narrative challenges after the deluge of fan service of No Way Home. Et it could be that Marvel has found the ideal material to propel Spider-Man towards new horizons, taking inspiration from a cult comic book.
Spider-Man Blues
According to site sources Cosmic Circus, the provisional name of Spider-Man 4 would be : ” Spider-Man Blue Oasis“. It doesn't take much to imagine that salvation for Spider-Man 4 could come from the comic book saga Spider-Man : Blue by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. As its English name suggests (blueit's depression), this story is closely linked to the melancholy and regrets of Peter Parker. It could offer New York's favorite spider a more human and introspective adventure, less spectacular but much more emotional.
Published in 2002, Spider-Man: Blue revisits a pivotal period in Peter Parker's life, as he mourns the loss of Gwen Stacy. A death which deeply traumatized Spidey, and which could take different forms depending on the comics or his live-action appearances (RIP Emma Stone).
With Peter Parker in full PTSD, Blue explore the emotional dilemmas of the man under the maskwhile highlighting the complexity of his romantic relationships, notably with Gwen and Mary Jane Watson. Because even if he wants to forget that he is human and remain Spider-Man full time, there is nothing he can do about it: he is Peter above all.
The comic is imbued with a nostalgic tone, tinged with sadness, and this could be an ideal thread for the MCU, especially after the upheavals experienced by Spider-Man in No Way Home.
A new direction for the MCU
If this theory proves correct, Spider-Man 4 could mark a major turning point in the saga. Tom Holland would play a more mature Peter Parker, haunted by his past choices. This approach would fit perfectly with the conclusion of No Way Homewhere Peter finds himself isolated, erased from the memories of his loved ones.
-Moreover, even if the information is scant regarding Spider-Man 4, we already know that one of the challenges of the film will be the fact that the young man no longer wants to be Peter Parker. Producer Amy Pascal confirmed this to Deadline :
“We have to deal with the fact that he decided to abandon the identity of Peter Parker to concentrate on that of Spider-Man, because it was too hard to be Peter Parker. So that’s what the film will be about. »
The film could therefore explore his journey towards accepting solitude, while giving a central place again to his role asfriendly neighborhood spider. What's more, the use of elements of Spider-Man Blue would allowbreathe a more intimate dimension into the story, contrasting with the bombastic intrigues of previous parts of the MCU.
If Gwen Stacy has not yet appeared in the current MCU, her character could be symbolically replaced by that of MJ, since in the previous part, Peter says a heartbreaking farewell to his first love. Failing the death of Gwen Stacy, Peter will have to mourn his relationship with MJ. It's hard to imagine the MCU presenting a new Gwen Stacy and destroying her in the process, but nothing is impossible.
Except that this direction, as attractive as it may be, would involve taking very big narrative risks. The very standardized superhero films of the MCU, mainly focused on action and the spectacular at all costs, rarely explore the areas of vulnerability of their protagonists. Presenting a vulnerable, even broken, Spider-Man therefore seems to be at odds with current Marvel philosophy.
However, by drawing on the raw emotion of Spider-Man: BlueMarvel could not only delve deeper into the psychology of Peter Parker, but also carry out a serious seduction operation with an audience looking for more nuanced stories. With Spider-Man 4the MCU would thus have the opportunity to reaffirm that even superheroes can be symbols of human fragility.
It remains to be seen how Destin Daniel Cretton could manage to convey such emotional issues in a blockbuster intended to make the link between Doomsday et Secret Wars, and who will already have to sort out some really messy multiversal issues.
Spider-Man 4 will be released on July 24, 2026 in French cinemas.
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