Marvel Snaps Up Old 'Spider-Man 4' Date, Likely for 'Avengers 3'

The move came hours after Sony undated "Amazing Spider-Man 3" and "Amazing Spider-Man 4," previously set for release on June 10, 2016, and May 4, 2018, respectively.

On the eve of Comic-Con, Hollywood's superhero dating wars intensified on Wednesday as Marvel Studios and Disney swooped in and laid claim to the May 2018 weekend previously occupied by The Amazing Spider-Man 4.

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Disney isn't saying what movie it will open that weekend, although the timing would be right for Avengers 3 (one source confirmed it will be a big title). Avengers: Age of Ultron opens on the first weekend in May in summer 2015, three years after The Avengers debuted on the same weekend in 2012.

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The move came only hours after Sony announced it was delaying The Amazing Spider-Man 3 from 2016 to 2018 (no new date was set). At the same time, the studio quietly vacated the May 4, 2018, released date previously occupied by The Amazing Spider-Man 4.

Instead, Sony will release Spider-Man spinoff The Sinister Six on Nov. 11, 2016.

Last week, Disney dated five untitled Marvel movies for June 28, 2017, Nov. 3, 2017, July 6, 2018, Nov. 2, 2018 and May 3, 2019.

Marvel and Disney are being especially aggressive about planting their flag after Warner Bros. dated Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice for May 6, 2016, even though Marvel had already claimed the date. Both Batman v. Superman and Captain America 3 are still set to open that weekend, although many believe that Batman will move.

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