BURBANK, CA–Marvel has introduced a lot of new characters over the years, but it seems like they’re always finding new and fresh ways to surprise fans. Recent announcements have confirmed an upcoming Spider-Man movie which, unlike several recent installments, will feature the character of Spider-Man.

“This franchise has so many popular characters,” said Marvel Studios founder and former chairman Avi Arad. “We know the fans have loved watching the established heroes and villains like Venom, Kraven, Morbius, and Madame Web. But we think it’s time to expand to include some less represented characters and give Spider-Man his own spin-off.”

“There’s actually quite a bit of comic book lore surrounding the character of Spider-Man, with a lot of rich stories to draw from,” Arad continued. “Longtime fans may be familiar with the character already, and we think newcomers will appreciate him too.”

Sources close to the project suggest that Spider-Man won’t be just a brief cameo in the new film either, but will actually be a prominent character. Breaking from the long-held tradition of featuring franchise antagonists as antiheroes of their own films, this movie will star Spider-Man as the main protagonist, pitting him against one or more enemies.

Not everyone in the fan community is enthused about this unconventional move. “There’s a time-tested formula for these movies, and Marvel is blatantly ignoring that tradition,” said Palak Patel, a former Sony Pictures executive. “Next thing you know, they’re gonna do a Spider-Man movie without showing Uncle Ben’s death either!”

“This would be like putting Batman in a Batman movie–a bit too on the nose,” said Todd Phillips, director of the critically acclaimed Joker: Folie à Deux. “What viewers really want is psychological looks at tortured villains and anti-heroes–in musical form, of course.”

Marvel’s yet-untited Spider-Man film swings into theaters in 2026.