Spider-Man 4 May Be Directed by Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton

Spider-Man fans have been waiting for an update on the rumored fourth Tom Holland movie—and while this bit of news today isn’t actually a confirmation of anything, at least it’s a nugget of hope. Deadline is reporting that Destin Daniel Cretton (Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is the top choice for Sony and Marvel to helm the next film starring the webslinger.

Cretton was once on board to direct another Marvel movie, the now-scrapped Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but departed in November 2023. Marvel has, of course, since dramatically retooled its future Phase 5 Avengers plans, recently announcing Avengers: Doomsday as its tentpole 2026 release instead.

Doomsday and its 2027 follow-up will be directed by Marvel mainstays the Russo Brothers, but even before this Spider-Man news Cretton retained strong ties to the studio; he’s attached to direct a Shang-Chi sequel and has the Wonder Man Disney+ series  coming soon.

Cretton’s biggest non-Marvel news of late came earlier this year, when we learned he was stepping aboard the Naruto movie for Lionsgate. There’s no word on how a Spider-Man movie might impact that project.

As for that Spider-Man installment, Deadline cites unnamed sources regarding Cretton’s potential hiring as helmer, and notes “it is unknown if formal negotiations have begun but insiders say he is the top choice to direct and is on board to take over the directing reigns for the highly-anticipated sequel.” Neither Sony nor Marvel had a comment for the trade; io9 also reached out to Sony and will update this post if and when we hear back.

Also not yet confirmed: the return of series stars Tom Holland and Zendaya, though Deadline writes “both A-listers have been in touch with execs and producers about the development of the film and new deals for both actors will likely be under way very soon.”

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