Spider-Man to join Marvel's crossover action movies

A renewed agreement between Sony and Marvel will see Spider-Man segue into a Marvel Cinematic Universe film before the next "Amazing Spider-Man" film is out, its release date now set for July 28, 2017.

It will be Spidey's sixth feature film in 15 years since the Sam Raimi "Spider-Man" trilogy started in 2002 with Tobey Maguire in the title role.

Those were followed up by the first two "Amazing Spider-Man" films, which had Marc Webb directing and Andrew Garfield suiting up -- a partnership not expected to continue following Sony and Marvel's commitment to "a new creative direction."

As for Spider-Man's debut MCU appearance, five more films have already been scheduled before that third entry to the "Amazing Spider-Man" franchise.

First up is "Avengers: Age of Ultron" on May 1, 2015, which ushers in Marvel's third phase of films: "Ant-Man" with Paul Rudd on July 17, 2015, "Captain America: Civil War" on May 6, 2016, "Doctor Strange" starring Benedict Cumberbatch on November 4, 2016, and the "Guardians of the Galaxy 2" on May 5, 2017.

Of those, "Captain America: Civil War" has been suggested as Spider-Man's entry point, according to the Wall Street Journal's insider source (via ComicBookMovie).

At the same time, Sony is adjusting plans for supervillain ensemble "Sinister Six" in light of the new deal, already a "Spider-Man" spin-off but without the good guy, raising the possibility that significant adjustments are now in line to best suit both studios' interests.