Sony Pictures delays – and renames - its highly anticipated ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel as it revises its theatrical release calendar, which also now includes an official opening date for the third ‘Spider-Verse’ film and third ‘The Equalizer’ offering.
Sony Pictures has updated its theatrical release calendar, revealing the date for its Marvel Comics adaptation, Madame Web, a new installment in its The Equalizer franchise, and a delayed 2023 release date for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Initially scheduled for an October 7, 2022 release, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has now been pushed to June 2, 2023. The sequel to its 2018 Oscar-winning animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse has also been renamed, following the decision to remove “Part One” from the title. In addition, its in-the-works follow-up - tentatively titled Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part II - now has an official theatrical release date as well, scheduled to open March 29, 2024.
Across the Spider-Verse will see Into the Spider-Verse hero Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) hop between alternate dimensions as they face down a new villain. Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson are co-directors of the film, which is written by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and David Callaham.
Madame Web will hit theaters July 7, 2023. In the Marvel-branded origin story, Dakota Johnson plays the titular clairvoyant, who possesses the ability to see into the spider world. Sydney Sweeney will co-star, and S.J. Clarkson is set to direct from a script by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless.
The Equalizer 3, a new entry in the Antoine Fuqua-directed and Denzel Washington-starring action franchise, is now officially locked in for a September 1, 2023 release.
Sony also moved up the release of the live-action/CG musical Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile from November 18, 2022 to October 7, 2022, to replace the spot initially held by Across the Spider-Verse. Based on the children’s book series of the same name, the film stars Shawn Mendes, who voices a singing crocodile, and is co-directed and co-produced by Will Speck and Josh Gordon.
Lastly, Sony has given the Korean War epic Devotion a limited release date of October 14, 2022. The film, directed by J.D. Dillard, will expand to more theaters on October 21, and open wide on October 28.
Max Weinstein is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. He is the Editor-at-Large of 'Dread Central' and former Editorial Director of 'MovieMaker.' His work has been featured in 'Cineaste,' 'Fangoria,' 'Playboy,' 'Vice,' and 'The Week.'
