Olivia Wilde’s Spider-Woman Film Reportedly Shelved by Sony
Olivia Wilde’s secretive Marvel project has reportedly been scrapped, with Sony shifting focus. Find out what led to the decision and what it means for the future of Spider-Woman on screen.
Word’s out that the much-whispered-about Spider-Woman film, which was set to be directed by Olivia Wilde, has been quietly dropped. The latest tip-off comes from Daniel Richtman, who suggests Sony has pulled the pin on the project. Back in 2022, Wilde was tight-lipped about her involvement with Marvel, telling Variety she couldn’t say a word about it. She did, however, mention how exciting it was that Marvel was letting fresh directors have a crack at their universe.
If Richtman’s mail is on the money, Sony’s plans for Spider-Man and X-Men crossovers with Marvel Studios are heading in a new direction. This could mean a fresh batch of Spider-Man stories, with some old ideas left behind.
Studio Shifts and the Fate of Spider-Woman
Sony’s run of Spider-Man spin-offs, including Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter, seems to have wrapped up for now. With Sony’s characters swinging into Marvel’s cinematic world, it looks like the studio has decided to ditch Wilde’s take on Spider-Woman in favour of a new approach that lines up with Marvel’s current plans.
There was talk that the film would focus on either Jessica Drew or Julia Carpenter, with Jessica’s dry wit making her a strong contender. For those not across the character, here’s a quick rundown: Jessica Miriam Drew, aka Spider-Woman, first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #32 back in 1977. She’s a human who was genetically tweaked as a kid to cure radiation poisoning, giving her super strength, agility, venom blasts, and the ability to stick to walls. She’s been part of the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D., and even tangled with Hydra and the Skrulls. On telly, she’s popped up in the 1979 animated series, Ultimate Spider-Man, and Marvel Rising.
Wilde’s Recent Run-Ins and Industry Buzz
Wilde was riding high after Don’t Worry Darling, but things have been a bit rocky since. The film’s production was marked by drama, including a falling out with Florence Pugh and the sacking of Shia LeBeouf. Wilde later explained,
His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions
.
Her personal life also made headlines, especially after she was seen with Harry Styles not long after splitting from Jason Sudeikis. Wilde addressed the gossip in Vogue, saying,
It’s obviously really tempting to correct a false narrative. But I think what you realise is that when you’re really happy, it doesn’t matter what strangers think about you. All that matters to you is what’s real, and what you love, and who you love.
What’s Next for Wilde and Spider-Woman?
Since Don’t Worry Darling, Wilde hasn’t directed another feature until recently wrapping up The Invite in May 2025. With all the noise in her personal and professional life, and Sony and Marvel now working more closely together, it’s not a huge shock that her Spider-Woman project has been left on the shelf.
Locals and fans alike are left wondering what’s next for the character and whether she’ll swing back onto screens in a different form. Keen to hear what punters reckon about the whole saga.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire