"I really am nothing but grateful, and I've made friends for life along the way."
"Spider-Man: Far From Home" star Tom Holland has nothing but good things to say about Sony Pictures, despite the devastating news the web slinger may be forced to leave the MCU following the studio's fallout with Disney.
While speaking with GQ Style, the actor, 23, issued a statement regarding the Disney-Sony split and reminisced on his time playing Spider-Man in the Marvel universe.
Tom Holland Addresses Sony Split at Disney's D23 Expo
View Story"I'm not shy about expressing how incredible the last five years have been with Marvel," Holland told the GQ journalist after the brutal breakup news broke. "I've truly had the time of my life, and in so many respects, they have made my dreams come true as an actor. Sony has also been really good to me, and the global success of 'Spider-Man: Far From Home' is a real testament to their support, skill and commitment."
"The legacy and future of Spidey rests in Sony's safe hands," he added. "I really am nothing but grateful, and I've made friends for life along the way."
Holland first broke his silence on the split while attending D23 last month.
"It's been a crazy week," he told the crowd, according to Deadline. "But I want you to know I am grateful from the bottom of my heart and I love you 3,000."
Fans were angered after Deadline first broke the news last month that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will no longer be producing any more "Spider-Man" movies after Disney and Sony Pictures were unable to untangle their months-long web of disputes and reach a co-financing agreement.
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View StoryAlthough the last two films Feige produced shattered records -- and last month's "Spider-Man: Far From Home" became the highest-grossing film for Sony Pictures -- it didn't seem to be enough.
Sources told Deadline that Disney wanted any future "Spider-Man" films to be a 50/50 co-financing agreement. After Sony turned that down, they reportedly proposed to keep their current arrangement where Marvel receives the range of 5 percent first-dollar gross. This time, Disney refused.
Two more Holland "Spider-Man" films are reportedly in the works, however, they won't be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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View StorySony released a statement one day later, admitting they were "disappointed" over the news. However, Sony didn't exactly clarify what the results of the impasse means for Spidey's MCU future. The studio said much of the reporting on this story had "mischaracterized" discussions between the studios, while confirming only that Feige would not be "a lead producer" of the next live-action film.
Another line open for interpretation is their praise of Feige's work thus far, with Sony saying they "appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue." Does that mean they will continue with Spidey as part of the MCU, or just continue with Holland and Feige's characterization of Peter Parker?
Read the full statement received by ComicBook.com below:
Much of today's news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige's involvement in the franchise. We are disappointed, but respect Disney's decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live-action Spider-Man film. We hope this might change in the future, but understand that the many new responsibilities that Disney has given him -- including all their newly added Marvel properties -- do not allow time for him to work on IP they do not own. Kevin is terrific and we are grateful for his help and guidance and appreciate the path he has helped put us on, which we will continue.
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