Spider-Man: Homecoming Director Says Venom Isn't Part Of The MCU

03/28/2017 09:55 pm EDT

This month, Sony Pictures has put fans of the Spider-Verse through their paces. Not only did a new trailer for Spider-Man: Homecoming drop today, but the studio has announced its plans to pursue other spinoff projects. At the beginning of the month, fans learned that Sony had tapped a release date for a feature focusing on Venom. Shortly after, news broke that a film starring Black Cat and Silver Sable were also in the works. And, as expected, comic book fans were interested by the new developments.

Of course, fans have spent time asking whether these new films will be related to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in any way. Right now, Spider-Man is set securely within the universe as Tom Holland debuted as the hero in Captain America: Civil War. Reports have suggested Venom and Black Cat would be kept out of the larger universe due to contractual issues, but fans still held hope to the contrary.

However, it looks like those wishes were in vain. In a recent interview with Fandango, the director of Spider-Man: Homecoming was asked if his film would be connected to Venom at all. Here is what Jon Watts had to say:

"It's not. It's not connected to the Marvel world, so that's really intriguing… what that will be. I don't know anything about it. It's not connected, so there's not that overlap. I'm only focused on my movie right now."

Of course, fans are a bit heartbroken to hear Venom won't have a place in the MCU. In the Marvel Universe, Venom is a keystone of the universe as the symbiotic parasite has gone through several incarnations. Word has it that the Venom film is looking to nab an R-rating and take on a horror, sci-fi aesthetic. The feature may even kick off Sony's own cinematic universe along with Black Cat. So, for now, fans can only wait and see how Venom will do without Spider-Man there to temper his rage.

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, a young Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), who made his sensational debut in Captain America: Civil War, begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

The cast includes Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Tyne Daly, Bokeem Woodbine, with Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. It also includes Jon Favreau, Martin Starr, Kenneth Choi, Michael Mando, Selenis Leyva, Isabella Amara, Jorge Lendeborg, Jr., JJ Totah, and Hannibal Buress.

Spider-Man: Homecoming opens in theaters July 7, 2017. It currently holds an impressive 4.07/5 in our user anticipation ratings. Let us know how excited you are to see the film by giving Spider-Man: Homecoming your own anticipation rating below.

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