Phil Lord and Chris Miller say they would consider overseeing a revived Sony Spider-Man Universe, but only if a long list of conditions falls into place — a development that matters now because Sony has signaled plans to reboot the franchise after pausing it last year. Their involvement could shape how Sony reconnects Spider-Man properties outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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The remarks came during a recent interview while the duo promoted their new film Project Hail Mary, their first theatrical directing credit since 2014. Lord and Miller are best known to Spider-Man audiences as producers of the animated Spider-Verse films and as executive producers on the upcoming live-action series Spider-Noir.
When asked whether they would accept a role similar to the creative chiefs who run major IPs—think Kevin Feige at Marvel or James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC—the pair were noncommittal. They emphasized the uncertainty around studio decisions and the many practical pieces that would need to align before taking on such a responsibility.
- Current projects: Lord and Miller produced the first two Spider-Verse films, are involved with the third installment, and helped develop Spider-Noir, a 1930s-set Nicolas Cage series due May 27 (US on MGM+, international on Prime Video).
- Sony’s status: The studio appeared to shelve the original Sony Spider-Man Universe (SSU) in December after several box-office disappointments, but later signaled a possible reboot.
- Studio conditions: Both filmmakers said the idea is plausible in principle, but described it as contingent on numerous “hypotheticals” — creative control, studio strategy, and scheduling among them.
- Franchise timeline: The animated Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse is scheduled to hit theaters next June, keeping the Spider-Verse strand of Sony’s output active even as the fate of the broader SSU is debated.
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What this would mean for fans and the industry
If Lord and Miller took a leading role, Sony would gain executives with a track record of shaping Spider-Man-related projects outside the MCU — a potential advantage in building a distinct identity for its universe. That said, running a studio-wide franchise requires long-term planning and resources, and the filmmakers acknowledged that their availability and the company’s strategy would both be decisive.
Industry observers will watch two things closely: how Sony defines the scope of a reboot and whether it seeks a single creative steward to coordinate multiple series and films. Sony’s earlier decision to pause the SSU, followed by comments that a reboot is possible, suggests the studio is reconsidering its approach rather than abandoning the idea entirely.
For now, Lord and Miller are focused on promoting Project Hail Mary and supporting the release slate that includes Spider-Noir and next summer’s animated follow-up. Any move toward appointing them — or anyone else — to lead a reimagined SSU will depend on formal offers and negotiations between the filmmakers and studio executives.
In short: the door is open, but it remains far from decided. Fans should expect announcements only after Sony finalizes its strategy and identifies the creative leadership it wants to entrust with the franchise’s next chapter.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.